If you’ve ever tried to check in online for a U.S.-bound flight and been met with that dreaded box labeled “Visa Number,” you’re not alone. Every year, millions of travelers using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) stumble over this small but maddening detail. Why? Because these travelers don’t actually have a visa at all—they have ESTA, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.

ESTA is the streamlined gateway for citizens of eligible countries to visit the United States for up to 90 days without obtaining a traditional visa. No embassy appointment. No face-to-face interview. No sticker glued into your passport. Just an online authorization that lives quietly in government databases until you board your flight.

And yet confusion persists. Travelers regularly ask:

“If I don’t have a visa, what number am I supposed to enter?”

This article settles that question once and for all. We’ll break down why ESTA travelers do not have a visa number, what number you do receive instead, and how to navigate outdated forms that still ask for one.

Do ESTA Travelers Have a Visa Number?

Let’s make this crystal clear:

ESTA is not a visa — and ESTA travelers do not receive a visa number.

A traditional U.S. visa comes as a physical sticker in your passport, complete with a photograph, security holograms, and an official red visa number printed on the lower right corner.

ESTA, by contrast, is an electronic pre-authorization. There is no sticker, no foil, and therefore no visa number.

So what DO ESTA travelers receive?

A unique ESTA Application Number—a digital reference ID used to access your ESTA status online. It is not a visa number and cannot be used as one.

What Is an ESTA Application Number?

Your ESTA Application Number looks something like this:

V3V6T2Q9
Z89LQM2P
K1A4TX73

It’s alphanumeric, issued at approval, and primarily serves as your personal tracking code. You’ll use it to:

• Retrieve your ESTA application
• Check whether it’s still valid
• Update your email or contact information
• Print or save your authorization

How It Differs from a U.S. Visa Number

Bottom line:
 Your ESTA number is for managing your authorization—not for entering into visa fields.

ESTA vs. U.S. Visa: Key Differences

ESTA and traditional visas both allow travel to the U.S.—but the process, documentation, and identifiers differ dramatically.

Requirements

ESTA

• Only for Visa Waiver Program citizens
• Requires a simple online form
• No interview or biometrics

U.S. Visa

• Available to all nationalities
• Requires DS-160, embassy interview, and fingerprints
• Longer processing times

How Each Is Issued

ESTA

• Fully electronic—nothing in your passport.

U.S. Visa

• Physical visa foil sticker added to your passport, including personal data and the red visa number.

Validity + Duration of Use

ESTA

• Valid for 2 years or until passport expiration
• Multiple entries allowed
• Max 90 days per visit

U.S. Visa

• Validity ranges 1–10 years
• Often longer stays (e.g., 6 months with a B-2)
• Extensions possible

Type of Number Provided

ESTA

• Receives an ESTA Application Number
• Not used as a visa number

U.S. Visa

• Receives an official U.S. visa number
• Printed in red, 8 digits, sometimes alpha-numeric

Comparison Table

Where Is the Visa Number on a U.S. Visa? (For Comparison Only)

On a traditional U.S. visa, the visa number is the bold red code printed in the bottom right area of the visa foil. It’s usually an 8-digit number, though some categories include a letter followed by digits.

Purpose of the Visa Number

• Identifies the specific visa issued
• Used for immigration tracking, system checks, and legal records
• Linked to Department of State issuance data

Why ESTA Travelers Won’t Have One

No visa foil = no visa number.
 Since ESTA is digital, there is no physical document and no number printed anywhere in your passport.

What to Do When a Form Asks for a Visa Number and You’re Traveling on ESTA

Even though ESTA travelers don’t have a visa, many systems still ask, creating unnecessary confusion.

Airline API or Online Check-Ins

Airline platforms often use outdated or generic global templates that assume all U.S. travelers have visas.

Why They Still Ask

• Legacy software
• System default settings
• Universal forms used for all destinations

What to Enter

Select:

• “No Visa”
• “Visa Waiver Program”
• “N/A”

Or leave the field blank when permitted.

Never enter your ESTA Application Number—it won’t be recognized.

Immigration, Bookings, or Travel Platforms

Cruise lines, tour operators, and hotel systems sometimes request visa data automatically.

Clarify the Distinction

• ESTA Application Number ≠ Visa Number
• Do not substitute them
• Always choose the “No visa” or “ESTA/VWP” option

When to Present ESTA Approval

While not legally required, bring a copy when:

• Airline systems can’t auto-verify your ESTA
• Staff request confirmation during manual processing
• You want to avoid delays at kiosks or check-in counters

A screenshot on your phone works perfectly fine.

Common Mistakes ESTA Travelers Make

Travelers often trip over the same issues—here’s what to avoid.

1. Entering ESTA Number as a Visa Number

An ESTA number cannot fill a visa field. Systems will reject it.

2. Assuming ESTA Is a Visa

It’s a travel authorization—not a visa. No foil, no red numbers, no embassy.

3. Forgetting to Save or Print ESTA Approval

A printed or digital copy is helpful when systems don’t auto-locate your authorization.

Best Practices for ESTA Travelers

How to Check ESTA Status

Visit the CBP ESTA portal, enter your passport number and birthdate, and confirm your status is approved and valid.

When ESTA Must Be Renewed

Renew your ESTA when:

• It expires (after 2 years or upon passport expiration)
• You get a new passport
• Your eligibility answers change

Keep Documentation Handy

• Save a PDF of your approval
• Carry a screenshot on your device
• Ensure all booking information matches your passport

Preparation = a smoother journey.

Official Resources to Verify ESTA Information

Stick to official U.S. government websites for the most accurate information.

1. CBP ESTA Portal

esta.cbp.dhs.gov – Apply, check status, update details.

2. Travel.State.Gov – Visa Waiver Program Page

Explains VWP eligibility and ESTA vs. visa distinctions.

3. USA.gov ESTA Guide

Clear government-backed explanations of ESTA rules.

Conclusion

Let’s wrap this up with the essential truth:

ESTA travelers do not receive a visa number because ESTA is not a visa.

When asked for a visa number during check-in or on digital forms, the correct response is almost always:

• “No Visa”
• “Visa Waiver”
• “N/A”

Or leave the field blank if possible.

Quick Confidence Checklist Before You Fly

• ESTA = no visa number
• Your ESTA Application Number is not a visa number
• Save your ESTA approval
• Know where to check your status
• Use official sites for updates

With these points in hand, you’re fully prepared to breeze through the digital paperwork and focus on your trip—not the templates that can’t keep up with modern travel.