What do the asterisk(*) below my photo on my visa mean?

[Dusty&Mono 6]

I just got my visa and I was looking at all the details, but the only thing that I don't understand so far is the asterisk below my photo.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

I just got my visa and I was looking at all the details, but the only thing that I don't understand so far is the asterisk below my photo.

Nothing is particular about the symbol of ** on the visa. I have those on mine as well.

Edited April 3, 2014 by Girl from Celebes

[sweet cakes 326]

I just got my visa and I was looking at all the details, but the only thing that I don't understand so far is the asterisk below my photo.

Nothing of significance to the visa holder. There might be a reason for it like an indication for something but nothing to be concerned about. Like Girl from Celebes, I have 2 asterisks on mine as well.

[Dusty&Mono 6]

Hi, I finally found out what the asterisks mean. They indicate the "RISK" status upon entry to the United States, which means that if you have more stars, then you will go through more security check when entering the United States. The number of stars are determined based on several reasons like: nationality, age, status, sex, countries visited before and others but as I mentioned before, it is only an indication. A lot of two stars have entered the states without any problem especially those who were joining families, but 2 star will probably be interviwed when reaching the states in case they were alone. Three stars means that security check will happen when arriving to the states but at the end, it depends on the immigrant officer.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

Well, someone entering with a K-1 visa will go to secondary, turn in their sealed envelope and usually be asked at least a few questions.

[jan22 2,898]

Hi, I finally found out what the asterisks mean. They indicate the "RISK" status upon entry to the United States, which means that if you have more stars, then you will go through more security check when entering the United States. The number of stars are determined based on several reasons like: nationality, age, status, sex, countries visited before and others but as I mentioned before, it is only an indication. A lot of two stars have entered the states without any problem especially those who were joining families, but 2 star will probably be interviwed when reaching the states in case they were alone. Three stars means that security check will happen when arriving to the states but at the end, it depends on the immigrant officer.

Not sure where you got this information, but I don't think it's correct. If there was still any question about security of the person to whom the visa was issued, it would not have been issued. There are lots of sites with speculation like this, but many of them are pretty wacky. The asterisks are random features and have no special meaning beyond that.

The US Embassy in London has the following on their website in a Question and Answer section (http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/20120524-MayNIVWebchatTranscript.pdf):

Q: Thank you. The space below the word 'Annotation' is blank, with the visa number printed in red to the right. There is a star or * symbol below the bottom left of my photo, does that signify anything?

A: The star symbol is not of any significance.

In the world of things to worry about with your visa -- this isn't one of them!

[Dusty&Mono 6]

Not sure where you got this information, but I don't think it's correct. If there was still any question about security of the person to whom the visa was issued, it would not have been issued. There are lots of sites with speculation like this, but many of them are pretty wacky. The asterisks are random features and have no special meaning beyond that.

The US Embassy in London has the following on their website in a Question and Answer section (http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/20120524-MayNIVWebchatTranscript.pdf):

Q: Thank you. The space below the word 'Annotation' is blank, with the visa number printed in red to the right. There is a star or * symbol below the bottom left of my photo, does that signify anything?

A: The star symbol is not of any significance.

In the world of things to worry about with your visa -- this isn't one of them!

I'm not worried about anything. I just want to know everything about my visa. I'm like that. It's not about security, it's about the possibility of a person trying to change status. As the USA says, having a visa doesn't guarantee you're gonna be allowed to enter the states, so even at the port of entry there are things to be checked on before you're allowed in the Country like the annotations and asterisks(*) on your visa. I know of a girl who was sent to back home because she had a B1 visa but had all her belongings with her; that didn't make sense at all...

Edited April 4, 2014 by Dusty&Mono

[baron555 934]

Could be a secret code used between the Embassy and CBP.

[khwaidee1 196]

Free pizza!

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

. I know of a girl who was sent to back home because she had a B1 visa but had all her belongings with her; that didn't make sense at all...

This makes sense. B1 is a visitor visa. If she had all her belongings with her, then it appeared to CBP that she did not plan on just visiting. Why would someone need all their belongings just to visit temporarily?

[Dusty&Mono 6]

This makes sense. B1 is a visitor visa. If she had all her belongings with her, then it appeared to CBP that she did not plan on just visiting. Why would someone need all their belongings just to visit temporarily?

I mean, it didn't make sense for her to have all her belongings if she was just visiting.

[ParVJNu 2]

On 4/3/2014 at 11:10 PM, Dusty&Mono said:

Hi, I finally found out what the asterisks mean. They indicate the "RISK" status upon entry to the United States, which means that if you have more stars, then you will go through more security check when entering the United States. The number of stars are determined based on several reasons like: nationality, age, status, sex, countries visited before and others but as I mentioned before, it is only an indication. A lot of two stars have entered the states without any problem especially those who were joining families, but 2 star will probably be interviwed when reaching the states in case they were alone. Three stars means that security check will happen when arriving to the states but at the end, it depends on the immigrant officer.

This quite makes sense and a bit scary too!

[Ontarkie 13,915]

~~Zombie thread locked to further replies~~