Janice Lozano
An Alien Registration Number, also known as an A-Number, is a unique seven to nine-digit number assigned by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to identify immigrants and certain student immigrants who have applied to live and work in the United States permanently. It is used to track immigration files, and it is required when submitting immigration documents. This number is usually found on a Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card) or an Employment Authorization Document (work permit). It is important to distinguish the A-Number from a USCIS Case Number, which is used for a specific application.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of digits | 7 to 9 |
| Purpose | Identification of immigrants, tracking of immigration files |
| Who it applies to | Permanent residents, some temporary residents with work authorization (e.g. F-1 student visa holders) |
| Where to find it | Green card, immigrant visa, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), Notice of Action (Form I-797C), Immigrant Data Summary |
| Format | Always numeric, sometimes prefixed with an "A" and/or a zero to ensure 9 digits |
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What You'll Learn
Who gets an Alien Registration Number?
An Alien Registration Number, also known as an A-Number, is a unique, 7- to 9-digit number assigned to certain immigrants and nonimmigrants by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the Department of Homeland Security. This number is used to track immigration files and is required on most immigration documents submitted to USCIS.
USCIS creates an Alien Registration Number for every permanent resident. Generally, they do not assign the number to nonimmigrants, who are individuals in the United States on a temporary basis. However, there are exceptions, as USCIS may assign an Alien Registration Number to certain classes of nonimmigrants who have been granted specific benefits, such as employment authorization. For example, nonimmigrants on an F-1 student visa with employment authorization will receive an Alien Registration Number.
Permanent residents can find their Alien Registration Number on their Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), which has been issued after May 10, 2010. The number is located on the front side of the card and is also embedded within the characters on the backside. For those who applied for a Green Card through consular processing, the Alien Registration Number can be found on the Immigrant Data Summary, which is the first page of the immigrant visa package from USCIS.
Nonimmigrants with employment authorization can find their Alien Registration Number on their Employment Authorization Document (EAD), also known as a work permit. This number is typically a nine-digit number located below "USCIS#" on the document. Additionally, an Alien Registration Number can be found on an immigrant visa, also called a visa stamp or visa foil, in an individual's passport. It is identified as the "Registration Number" in the top right portion of the visa stamp.
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Where is the number located?
The Alien Registration Number, also known as the A-Number, is a unique, 7- to 9-digit number assigned to immigrants and some nonimmigrants by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is used to track immigration files and is required on most immigration documents submitted to USCIS.
Now, where is this number located? If you have a permanent resident card (green card), your Alien Registration Number can be found on the front side of the card. It is also embedded within the characters on the backside. If your green card was issued after May 10, 2010, your Alien Registration Number is the same as your nine-digit USCIS#.
If you applied for your green card through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate, you likely received an Immigrant Data Summary stapled to your immigrant visa package. In this case, your Alien Registration Number will be located at the top of the Immigrant Data Summary.
Your Alien Registration Number can also be found on your immigrant visa, which is typically found in your passport. The A-Number is identified as the "Registration Number" in the top right portion of the visa stamp.
Additionally, if you have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or work permit, you can locate your Alien Registration Number on this document. It is typically listed as a nine-digit number below "USCIS#".
If you are unable to locate your Alien Registration Number using the methods mentioned above, you may need to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request to obtain a copy of your immigration file, which will include your A-Number.
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What is the number used for?
An Alien Registration Number, also known as an A-Number, is a unique seven- to nine-digit number assigned to immigrants and some nonimmigrants by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The number is used for identification and tracking purposes, helping the USCIS monitor immigration files, or A-files, for immigrants and some nonimmigrants. It is a critical piece of information when preparing new USCIS forms and must be provided when submitting immigration documents.
USCIS does not assign everyone an A-Number. Generally, they are given to permanent residents, and not to nonimmigrants, who are in the United States temporarily. However, there are exceptions, as certain classes of nonimmigrants with employment authorization may be assigned an A-Number. For example, students on F-1 visas will receive an Alien Registration Number, even if they are not applying for a green card.
A-Numbers can be found on a variety of documents, including permanent resident cards (green cards), immigrant visas, and Employment Authorization Documents (work permits). If you have a green card issued by the USCIS after May 10, 2010, your Alien Registration Number is the same as your nine-digit USCIS#. On most paperwork, the A-Number can be found labelled as "A#" near the top of the page.
It is important to distinguish between an A-Number and a USCIS Case Number. The former is a unique identifier used to track individuals across multiple applications, while the latter is a 13-character code used for a specific application.
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How is it different from a USCIS Case Number?
The Alien Registration Number, also known as an A-Number, is a 7-9 digit number assigned by the Department of Homeland Security and used by USCIS to identify immigrants who apply to live in the US permanently, as well as certain student immigrants. It is considered a permanent and personal ID, and individuals keep their Alien Number forever. It is used by USCIS to track immigrants' files, which are sometimes called alien files or a-files. It is also required on most immigration documents submitted to USCIS. The A-Number can be found on a variety of documents, including permanent resident cards (green cards), immigrant visas, and Employment Authorization Documents (work permits).
On the other hand, the USCIS Case Number is assigned to each specific immigration form submitted to USCIS. It is considered a "ticket number" and is used to track the status of a particular immigration application. Individuals may accumulate multiple USCIS Case Numbers over the years, as each case or petition has its own number. The USCIS Case Number is typically 13 characters, consisting of three letters (often "EAD" or "MSC") followed by 10 numbers. It can be found on the Receipt Notice (Form I-797C) and used with the Online USCIS Case Status Tool to monitor application status.
In summary, the key difference between the Alien Registration Number and the USCIS Case Number is that the Alien Number is a permanent identifier associated with an individual's entire immigration record, while the USCIS Case Number is specific to a particular application or form and is used for tracking its status.
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How to get an Alien Registration Number
An Alien Registration Number, also known as an A-Number, is a unique, 7- to 9-digit number assigned to aliens (non-US citizens) by the Department of Homeland Security and listed on the front of Permanent Resident Cards (Form I-551 or Green Card) issued after May 10, 2010.
USCIS does not assign everyone an A-Number. Generally, they do not assign the number to nonimmigrants, which include anyone in the United States on a temporary basis. However, USCIS may assign the Alien Registration Number to certain classes of nonimmigrants who have been granted employment authorization or other benefits. Refugees and asylum seekers are also granted an Alien Registration Number when they reach the United States.
If you are a permanent resident or nonimmigrant with employment authorization, here are some ways to obtain your Alien Registration Number:
- Check your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). If issued by USCIS after May 10, 2010, your Alien Registration Number is the same as your nine-digit USCIS#. It is listed on the front of the card and embedded within the characters on the backside.
- Check your Immigrant Visa, also called a visa stamp or visa foil, found in your passport. Your A-Number is identified as the "Registration Number" in the top right portion of the visa stamp.
- Check your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or work permit. Your A-Number is listed underneath "USCIS#" on this document.
- Check your Immigrant Data Summary. If you applied for a Green Card from abroad via consular processing, your A-Number should be at the top of this document.
- Check your Notice of Action (Form I-797C) from USCIS. Your A-Number will be under "USCIS#" on this document.
- Check your Immigrant Fee Handout. Your A-Number will be in the top right corner of this document.
- Check the USCIS website. Your A-Number is usually found above the personal details section.
- Contact USCIS. If you are unable to locate your Alien Registration Number in any of the above documents, you can call or email USCIS for assistance in retrieving your lost A-Number.
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