(INDIA) Indian passports generally do not have a Passport Book Number, so most applicants should leave that DS-160 field blank or select “Does Not Apply” if the form shows that option. Trying to “fill something in” by copying another number is a common error that creates avoidable problems at the VAC or visa interview.
That single box—“Passport Book Number”—stops many first-time applicants because it looks mandatory and official. It isn’t a universal passport detail. The field exists because the DS-160 is used worldwide, and some countries print a separate booklet identifier to track the physical passport book.
For Indian nationals, the practical rule is simple: if your Indian passport does not explicitly show a separate booklet identifier labeled as a passport book number or control number, don’t guess. Consular officers and VAC staff see this every day and know that Indian passports typically lack it. VisaVerge.com reports that confusion around this field is one of the most frequent, easy-to-fix DS-160 mistakes among Indian applicants.
What the “Passport Book Number” means on the DS-160
A Passport Book Number is an internal inventory-style identifier used by some governments to track the physical booklet that was printed and issued. It can help trace print batches and replacement booklets, and it can support fraud checks in places where multiple identifiers are standard.
It is not the same as the passport number you use for travel, and it is not a “file reference” for a passport application. Where countries use a book number, it is usually printed separately—often on an inside cover page or a control page—and is clearly distinct from the main passport number.
The key point for Indian applicants is that the DS-160 is standardized for all countries. A field appearing on the form does not mean it applies to every passport.
Key takeaway: If an Indian passport does not explicitly show a booklet identifier, leave the Passport Book Number field blank or choose “Does Not Apply.”
Why the United States asks this question
The DS-160 is the U.S. Department of State’s online application for most nonimmigrant visas. The form must work for applicants using many types of passports and national document systems.
The passport book number field helps when:
– A country issues more than one identifier for a passport booklet.
– A government tracks replacement booklets in a way that matters for identity checks.
– A passport system relies on a booklet inventory number as part of document integrity.
That design choice creates a predictable side effect: applicants from countries that do not issue such a number still see the question and assume they must invent an answer. That is the trap.
For official DS-160 access and instructions, use the U.S. Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center: DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (CEAC).
The India-specific reality: what Indian passports show, and what they don’t
Indian passports do not have a Passport Book Number in the way the DS-160 field means it. This applies broadly across Indian passports, including ordinary passports, Tatkal passports, reissued passports, and current machine-readable or biometric formats.
Indian passports typically include:
– Passport number (the main identifier used for travel and visas)
– File number (an administrative tracking reference)
– Date and place of issue, and date of expiry
None of those items is designated as a passport book number. Treating them as interchangeable causes errors, especially when systems compare DS-160 entries to the passport biodata page at the VAC.
Where people look, what they copy, and why that causes trouble
Applicants commonly copy a number that looks “official” just to satisfy the field. These are the most frequent substitutions, and they are wrong:
- Passport number from the biodata page: this is already entered elsewhere on the DS-160 and is not a booklet inventory number.
- File number often printed on an inside or last page: this is an administrative issuance reference, not a passport book number.
- Application ID from a Passport Seva Kendra receipt: it does not belong to the passport booklet and is not printed as a book identifier.
- Barcodes or QR codes found on pages: machine-readable elements, not a “book number.”
- Old stamp numbers or endorsement markings: not booklet identifiers.
Incorrect entries can lead to DS-160 mismatches when your details are verified at the VAC. They can also trigger extra questions at interview windows. The safest entry is no entry, when the number does not exist.
Rare cases: older or special booklets
There are narrow exceptions. Some very old Indian passports (mostly from decades ago) or certain official/diplomatic booklets may contain a distinct printed control number that looks like a booklet identifier.
Use a number only if all three are true:
– It is clearly printed, not handwritten.
– It is separate from the passport number on the biodata page.
– It is unambiguous as a booklet or control number.
When in doubt, leaving the Passport Book Number field blank remains the correct approach for Indian passports.
The DS-160 journey for Indian applicants: what to do, in what order
This process keeps your application consistent from DS-160 submission through VAC biometrics and the consular interview.
Step 1: Prepare your passport details before you start the DS-160
- Open your passport to the biodata page and keep it beside you while you complete the form.
- Have these details ready to copy exactly:
- Passport number
- Date of issue and date of expiry
- Place of issue
This reduces typos, which matter far more than the Passport Book Number field for Indian nationals.
Step 2: Enter the passport number in the correct DS-160 field
- Enter the passport number exactly as shown on the biodata page, including letter prefixes if present.
- Do not repeat that same number in the Passport Book Number box.
Step 3: Handle the Passport Book Number field the India-safe way
For most Indian applicants, the correct entry is straightforward:
– If the DS-160 allows the field to be blank, leave it blank.
– If the DS-160 shows a “Does Not Apply” option, select it.
Do not enter “N/A,” “NA,” “000000,” or random digits. Guessed data is riskier than an empty field that accurately reflects how Indian passports are issued.
Step 4: Submit the DS-160 and keep the confirmation consistent
- After submission you will receive a confirmation page with a barcode. Print or save that page.
- The passport number on your DS-160 must match the passport you will carry to the VAC and interview.
Step 5: Expect routine checks at the VAC and at the interview
VAC staff and consular officers compare your DS-160 details against your passport biodata page. For Indian passports, they do not expect a passport book number because Indian passports generally do not include one.
What they do expect is accuracy on core identifiers like the passport number, issuance details, and personal biographic data. Leaving the Passport Book Number blank does not affect eligibility for visas such as B1/B2, F-1, H-1B, or L-1.
If you already entered the wrong number, fix it the clean way
Mistakes happen, especially when the DS-160 looks like it demands an entry. The correction path depends on where you are in the process.
When the visa fee has not been paid
- Submit a new DS-160 with the corrected information.
- Use the new DS-160 confirmation number for the next steps.
This aligns your entire case to the updated application before appointments and document checks.
When an appointment has already been booked
- Complete a new DS-160 and print the new confirmation page.
- Carry both the old and new DS-160 confirmation pages to the VAC.
- Inform VAC staff that you have an updated DS-160 confirmation number.
This correction is routine. The key is to fix the Passport Book Number entry by leaving it blank or using “Does Not Apply,” rather than replacing it with an unrelated passport reference.
Common questions Indian applicants ask, answered plainly
- Will leaving the Passport Book Number blank delay my case?
No. Leaving it blank is standard practice for Indian passports. -
Should I write “N/A” if I don’t have it?
No. Leave it blank unless the DS-160 forces an entry, or select “Does Not Apply” if offered. -
Is the file number on the last page the book number?
No. The file number is an administrative issuance reference and is not the booklet identifier the DS-160 field refers to. -
Do Indian e-passports add a passport book number?
No. Current Indian passports still do not issue a separate booklet number for this DS-160 field.
A simple safety checklist before you click “Submit”
Use this quick check to avoid the most common DS-160 passport errors for Indian passports:
- Passport number entered once, in the passport number field, exactly as printed.
- Passport Book Number field blank or set to Does Not Apply.
- No substitution of file numbers, receipt numbers, QR codes, or guessed digits.
- Confirmation page saved after submission for VAC and interview use.
The DS-160 is designed to work for every country’s documents, including countries that issue booklet identifiers and countries that do not. For Indian passports, accuracy means resisting the urge to “fill every box,” and instead entering only what the passport actually contains.
This guide clarifies that Indian passports do not contain a Passport Book Number for the DS-160 form. It advises Indian applicants to leave that specific field blank or select ‘Does Not Apply’ rather than entering incorrect data like file numbers or barcodes. Following these steps ensures consistency during VAC appointments and consular interviews, preventing unnecessary delays caused by data mismatches.
