If you are planning to apply for a US Visa at a US Consulate, you need first to complete the DS-160, then create an account on US Visa Appointment booking websites such as USTravelDocs, USVisaScheduling.com or AIS.USVisa-info websites. As part of that process for H1B, H4, L1, and L2 Visa holders, you would get questions that ask for the petitioner’s name, request number, start date, and expiration date.
If you are new to the process, it can be confusing. In this article, we will review what those details are and how to fill the same as part of the DS-160 or appointment booking websites such as USTravelDocs, USVisaScheduling.com, or AIS.USVisa-info.
Before we get into the details, let’s look into the details of what the USCIS Petition is and how it works.
USCIS Petition Approval Information
In general, before you go for US Visa Stamping for any employment-based visas or their dependent visas, you need to get an approval from USCIS. As part of the US work visa process, the company sponsoring your visa or your spouse’s visa would file a work visa petition (Form I-129) for the principal applicant and need to get approval. You can read the Step by Step guide to H1B Visa process to know more. It is the same process for L1 visa as well.
The work visa (H1B or L1) approval notice from USCIS would contain all information you need to fill out in the DS-160 form or on the appointment booking website.
If you look at a Sample H1B Visa Approval Notice, you will see fields such as listed below and what they mean. You would need this information to complete info during the DS-160 form filling or the US visa appointment booking website.
- Receipt Number: This is the H1B or L1 Visa petition receipt number related to the petition that was filed with USCIS. The same receipt number is on the H1B or L1 Visa receipt notice. This is the same number that is used to track the H1B or L1 Visa petition status on USCIS website.
- Received Date: This is the date USCIS received the H1B or L1 Visa petition package from the employer at the USCIS facility.
- Notice Date: This is the date when the USCIS system generated the H1B or L1 visa approval Notice.
- Petitioner: This is the name of the H1B or L1 Visa Sponsoring Company. It will be the employer’s name filing the H1B or L1 petition on behalf of the applicant or beneficiary.
- Beneficiary: This field would have the name of the H1B or L1 Visa applicant to whom the H1B or L1 visa approval notice is related.
- Valid From and To: The valid from and to dates indicate the starting and ending dates of the H1B or L1 petition approval. Usually, it is up to 3 years or less. Usually, the duration of approval is reflected on the H1B Visa LCA filed for the H1B petition. For L1, there is no LCA, so you would not have that info.
Below is a sample screenshot of an H1B work visa approval notice from USCIS and the relevant fields as explained above. This looks exactly the same for the L1 visa approval notice as well, just that the Class would show as L1.
Now that we understand USCIS work visa petition info let’s look at the questions on DS-160 and then go to the US Visa Appointment Booking website.
What is the Application Receipt/ Petition Number on DS-160?
When you complete DS-160, you will get a question that reads “Application Receipt/ Petition Number” after you select the purpose of the trip to the US as “Temporary Worker(H)” or “Temporary Worker(L)”. It looks like in the screenshot below for various visa types such as H1B, H4, L1, and L2.
You will find the Application Receipt / Petition Number on the H1B or L1 Visa Approval notice under the label “Receipt Number.” The USCIS receipt number on the approval notice is a 13 digit alphanumeric number, that starts with a 3 alphabets like EAC, WAC, IOE, etc. The Approval Notice is nothing but the form that says “I-797 Notice of Action.” .
Application Receipt / Petition Number = Receipt Number on H1B/ L1 Approval Notice
The Application Receipt/ Petition Number for H4 or L2 visa dependents is nothing but the “Receipt Number” on the H1B or L1 Approval notice of the primary applicant (spouse). See the below, where we have highlighted the same on an H1B approval notice (I-797 Notice of Action.
Usually, your employer/ company would share a copy of the approval notice with you. If not, you can ask them the same, and they will provide you with the same.
Petitioner Details in H1B Visa Appointment Booking
As part of the US Visa Appointment booking, you must create an account on websites such as USVisaScheduling.com for India, USTravelDocs, or AIS USVisa-info websites for appointment booking outside of India. You will be asked to fill out the information below as part of that process. It will be the same for H1B, L1, H4, or L2 visa holders.
On the USVisaScheduling.com website for India appointments, you will see the below fields:
- Petitioner Name
- Petition Request Number
- Petition Start Date
- Petition Expiration Date
On the Portal.USTravelDocs.com website for outside India appointments, you will see the below fields:
- Petitioner’s Name
- Start Date
- Receipt Number
- Expiration Date
The screenshot below shows how the petition information capture screen looks on the USVisaScheduling.com website and Portal.USTravelDocs.com.
The above fields can be filled based on the information on the H1B or L1 Approval Notice(I-797 Notice of Action) from USCIS. You can check the above section to learn more about the USCIS approval notice.
Below is what you need to fill in for Petition Information on USVisaScheduling.com for appointment booking in India based on H1B or L1 Approval notice:
- Petitioner Name = Petitioner (name listed under Petitioner on approval notice)
- Petition Request Number = Receipt Number (13-digit Number under receipt number)
- Petition Start Date = Valid From Date (Date listed after Valid From). The time can be 12 AM.
- Petition Expiration Date = Valid To date ( Date listed after ‘to’). The time can be 12 AM.
Note: You can select any time on the petition start date or expiration date. Ideally, if you want to be precise, you can select 12 AM for bothPetition Start Date and Expiration Date.
The screenshot below shows the Petitioner’s details corresponding to a particular field on the H1B or L1 Approval Notice.
Below is what you need to fill for Petition Information on Portal.USTravelDocs.com for appointment booking outside India based on H1B or L1 Approval Notice
- Petitioner’s Name = Petitioner (name listed under Petitioner on approval notice)
- Start Date = Valid From Date ( Date listed after Valid From).
- Receipt Number = Receipt Number (13 digit Number under receipt number)
- Expiration Date = Valid To date ( Date listed after ‘to’).
The screenshot above shows where these fields are mapped on the H1B or L1 approval notice.
Common FAQs
You should ask your employer or company who sponsored your H1B or L1 Visa. They will share you the approval notice.
Yes, the petitioner information for H4 dependent applicant is same as the H1B primary applicant. The approval notice for H1B applicant has the details of the same.
There is no way you can get the petitioner information without looking at the approval notice. Only your employer or company can share that information.
You may check the below articles related to US Visa Stamping.
- How to Check US Visa Status Online? CEAC Website, Errors Info
- How many times can I reschedule my US Visa Appointment? India? Others?
- Your Group Size is larger than the Current Allocation – U.S. Visa Error, Fix ?
- Error occurred while loading a Visualforce Page – US Visa Appointment
- Your personal details match the profile which already exists – US Visa Error
- Change US Consulate interview location on DS-160 after Submission?
- User Could not be created – USTravelDocs Error
- US Visa Stamping: Passport Tracking Statuses Meaning at USTravelDocs
- Sorry, you have been blocked – USTravelDocs.com Error, Solution
Can I update the Petitioner details in https://www.usvisascheduling.com/ portal after I’ve booked a visa slot? I am waiting for my L1 visa to get approved, however, I want to take a visa date asap. Is this possible?
My spouse accidentally entered her name in the ‘petitioner name’ section on the ustraveldocs portal. She filled in the correct name (employer name) on the DS-160 form. We paid for the appointment dropbox fees but we have not booked the appointment date yet.
Do you know if it is possible to update the application without paying $205 again?
Dev,
Please call the customer service, they should be able to update it. You will not lose the fee, may need to re-book, if they cannot update it.
Do update how it goes here.
While filling dependent application for scheduling appointment in the new portal, i had selected L1 instead of L2 and booked the appointment. I am unable to change it. Will it be a problem?
However, all information in DS-160 is correct. Will it be an issue?
Hi, I am new to H4 Dependent visa application process, I have a question, please help me out.
While selecting the visa category for H4 dependent visa, should I select Non-Immigrant Visa category and then H4 from the drop down? The reason I ask is H4 is shown under temporary worker section in USCIS article, so not sure if dependent and temporary worker can come under same section.
Thank you for help.
Bhargav,
Yes, you are right, it is non-immigrant and then H4. H1B is a non-immigrant visa and also a temporary worker visa type.
my h4 visa stamping is due. this is my third time renewing visa.
i accidentally selected “no” to ” have u been issued us visa before?”
and i was expecting to get a dropbox , but its now asking me to select a visa interview date it seems.
Smita,
You can cancel and restart the application steps. You should see close application on the left hand side, use that to close it and then start over. You should be able to select the right steps. If you are not sure, you can email them as well.
Thanks kumar,
i was able to cancel and restart the application. Does the cancellation mean that the fees paid for the first application is now lost ?
i created new application and was able to successfully get the dropbox option , and i see that it asks for visa fees now. is there any way to use the visa fees paid in the first application or its gone forever?
Smita,
No, Technically, you should not lose your fees paid. Call the customer service or email them on this, they should be able to help you. Do share how it goes here for community benefit.
hi kumar,
i was able to cancel and create a new appointment, answered all questions correctly and got the interview waiver/dropbox option. It did not ask for visa fees again , which is such a relief! thanks for ur assistance. i did not have to call customer care .. no one ever picks up anyway. sometimes they do get back if one creates a request/case/ticket on the website itself.
smitha,
This is awesome. Thanks for confirmation, it helps community!
My visa application is not asking to fill petition number but asking only petitioner name and validity . I submitted and payed as well now should I ask the support team about this issue
IT did not ask for Petitioner receipt number in primary as well as dependant
srinidhi,
interesting. It could be a bug. What visa type was yours? You do not have to worry as it is something on their side. If you are in doubt, you may call them.
Hey srinidhi,
I am having the same issue where tits not asking me for the Petitioner’s number. Just Name and dates. Were you able to resolve this?
Even I’m unable to see the petitioner request number. Did they remove it ?
Any update to it? I am in the same boat.
Same issue.
Or maybe they will pick Petition number from your DS160?
Can someone please confirm?
Same thing for me. Can anyone confirm this?
Hello,
My premium processing for L1A is in progress and while thats ongoing, I was trying to pay fees and schedule an appointment. Me and my family (wife and 11 year old child) already have B1/B2 visa and have travelled to US for leisure last year.
Please advise:
1. If this makes us eligible for interview waiver, of so if we should opt for the same.
2. The site for paying fees and scheduling interview doesn’t allow me to choose dependents if i choose interview waiver.
3. If i choose to go for interview, it doesn’t allow my dependents to choose L2 and by default B1/B2 which they already have.
Your guidance would be highly appreciated.
Jimit,
1. Yes, you should be eligible for dropbox, if you meet all other general conditions. Try the questionnaire, it will tell.
2. It will ask at the end to add dependents. It is similar to H1B, check H1B Dropbox Guide with Screenshots
3. Yes, you can, it will come at the end on the new systems. Check above link of H1B dropbox guide.
Hi Kumar,
Myself (H1-B) and my wife (H4) will need to get our visa stamped. We have separately filled out the DS-160 forms, paid the fees, and are planning to schedule our appointments at the same time.
I’m wondering if we are going to the visa appointment at the same time, do we need to fill out the family application for DS160 or separate applications will still work?
I’m afraid that we may get into receiving a 221g slip.
Appreciate your response.
One thing to clarify. We qualify for the drop-box option. So, we are looking to drop our documents instead of an in-person interview. Not sure if it impacts the DS-160 process.
Thank you!
Ganesh,
There is nothing as one. DS-160 is always seperate for each of them. Not to worry.
I want to book my H1-B visa appointment ahead of filing H1-B visa, i.e. I will not have my Petitioner details except the name of my Petitioner. Is it possible to update the same later in the new portal after booking a visa appointment?
PS: There is a very specific reason that I will have to have the visibility on the visa appointment before I travel and I am fine risking the visa appointment fees. That said, I want to make sure that I can use the same appointment slot by changing the petitioner details (not the Petitioner name but just the number, start/end date. ) under the assumption I get my H1-B.
Thanks
HI,
In case of H4 Visa Appointment Application,
What should be answer to following,
For H4 Visa which has I-797 approved from USCIS,
Answer to following H4 Appointment application Questions –
Petitioner Name : h1b employer name
Petition Request Number : h1b holder I-797 receipt number of I-129 approval
Is this correct ?
Ro,
Yes, that’s correct. You need to use the H1B Holders details.
I am getting below fields to fill for a L1 VISA Application
Petitioner Name
Petition Request Number
Petition Receipt Number
Petition Start Date
Petition Expiration Date
What is this Request number, is this same as receipt number?
I have petition receipt number from I797.
I have made a mistake and entered my name in Petitioner name in visa application. DS 160 has correct information.
How can I fix this before my drop box appointment?
Gowri sankar,
You should call them and ask, if they correct it. Also, you can email them as well. Usually they update, if you cannot do and it was a genuine mistake on your side.
Even I have made the same mistake and already opened a case for it. Please do let know, if they updated it for you.
Hi, I have received my L1 petition approval and I am applying for the visa. I would like to apply for my wife’s visa along with mine. I have filled in her details as part of “Purpose of the visit” section as L2. However, I don’t see any section where I can fill in my wife’s passport details. Is this all needed or am I missing something?
Any information on this is truly appreciated.
Girish,
You should ass your spouse as dependent, there it will ask for all the info. It will appear after you go through the wizard and answer questions. You can check H1B Dropbox Guide to get an idea of the flow. It occurs after the main applicant’s info has gone through the wizard.
I am getting below fields to fill for a L2 VISA Application
Petitioner Name
Petition Request Number
Petition Receipt Number
Petition Start Date
Petition Expiration Date
What would be
Petition Request Number?
I have petition receipt number from I797.
I am trying to book a visa slot for my wife who is on H4 visa. While filling in the application on usvisascheduling, does ‘Petition Request Number’ should be taken from H4’s i-539 form ? whereas the ‘Petitioner Name’ is taken from H1’s i-797 from ?
Kalyan,
It will be the primary applicant’s H1B Approval notice (I-797) form. The reason is that, in fact, you can go for stamping without having H4 approval notice issued by USCIS. In such cases, there is no Petition for such applicants…
Hello
I am in the same boat
My wife has I-797 then we need to provide details of H1?
Petitioner Name
Petition Request Number
Petition Receipt Number
Petition Start Date
Petition Expiration Date