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what is petition request number for h1b

The “petition request number” for H1B is the same thing as your H1B USCIS receipt number (also called case number or petition number).

What is the H1B petition request number?

  • It is a unique ID that USCIS assigns to your H1B petition when they receive and accept it.
  • Officially, it is the USCIS receipt number listed on your Form I‑797C, Notice of Action.
  • Many visa forms and scheduling portals (like VFS/USTravelDocs) call it “Petition Number” or “Petition Request Number,” but they are asking for this same receipt number.

In forum discussions, people confirm that the “petition request number” on visa appointment sites is simply your H1B receipt number from the USCIS notice.

What does it look like?

  • It is a 13‑character alphanumeric code: 3 letters + 10 digits.
  • Examples of starting letters (service center codes): WAC, EAC, LIN, SRC, NBC, MSC, IOE.
  • Typical format: XXX########## (for example: EAC2412850345).

Some guides explain that earlier interpretations broke it down as: service center (3 letters), fiscal year (2 digits), internal processing/workday code, and a unique sequence for your case, but USCIS now treats it primarily as a tracking reference.

Where can you find your petition request number?

You will usually find it in these places:

  1. Form I‑797C (H1B Receipt Notice)
    • Sent to your employer/attorney after USCIS accepts the H1B petition.
    • At the top, labeled as “Receipt Number.”
  1. Form I‑797B (H1B Approval Notice)
    • If your H1B is approved, the same number appears on the approval notice.
  1. Your employer or immigration attorney
    • If you do not have the notice, ask HR or your lawyer; they receive the original from USCIS.
  1. Online copies / email scans
    • Many employers share a PDF or scan of the I‑797C/I‑797B; the number is at the top.

How is this number used?

  • Tracking your H1B status :
    You can enter the receipt number on the USCIS “Check Case Status” page to see progress (received, approved, RFE, etc.).
  • Visa stamping & DS‑160 / visa appointment:
    When filling DS‑160 or booking an H1B visa interview, the field “Petition Number” or “Petition Request Number” expects this same 13‑character receipt number.
  • Future extensions / amendments / green card steps :
    The same number is often referenced in later filings to link back to your original H1B petition.

Example:
If your receipt notice says WAC2314850123, then on a VFS/USTravelDocs page asking for “Petition Request Number,” you would enter WAC2314850123.

Quick SEO-style recap

  • Main term: what is petition request number for h1b
  • It is your USCIS H1B receipt number (case/petition number), a 13‑character code like EAC2412850345.
  • You find it on your I‑797C/I‑797B and use it for case tracking and visa appointments.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.