Douglas Olsen
International students on F-1 visas who have work authorization will be given an Alien Registration Number, even if they are not applying for a green card. Students on F-1 visas who worked under the Optional Practical Training program after finishing their studies may already have been issued an Alien Registration Number. This number can be found on a variety of documents from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the former INS. It is usually a seven- to nine-digit number and can be found on documents such as a green card, work permit, immigrant visa, and Notice of Action.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who gets an Alien Registration Number | Any non-citizen applying for immigration benefits in the US, including those applying for a green card, asylum, and certain non-immigrant visa types who are authorized to work in the US for an extended period. |
| Who does not get an Alien Registration Number | Non-immigrants on a tourist or business visa, or those with an H-1B work visa. |
| Exceptions | Foreign students with work authorization, such as those on an F-1 visa. |
| Number of digits | 7, 8, or 9 digits. |
| Documents where the number can be found | Green card, work permit, immigrant visa, approval notices, Notice of Action, Immigrant Data Summary, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Work permit or Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
International students on an F-1 visa who get work authorization are given an Alien Registration Number, even if they aren't applying for a green card. This is most likely to be the case if they work under the Optional Practical Training program after finishing their studies.
The Alien Registration Number, or A-Number, is a seven- to nine-digit number that acts as a unique identifier within the immigration system. It can be found on a variety of documents, including work permits, immigrant visas, green cards, approval notices, and notices of action.
If you have a work permit or Employment Authorization Document (EAD), your A-Number is likely printed on the front of the card. The EAD is a document that proves you are allowed to work in the United States. To request an EAD, you generally must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
If your EAD is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you may request a replacement by filing a new Form I-765 and paying the filing fee, unless a fee waiver is requested and approved. If your EAD contains incorrect information due to a USCIS error, you do not need to submit a new Form I-765 or pay a fee. Instead, you can submit a service request via the USCIS website or by mail, explaining the error and including the correct information.
If you wish to renew your EAD, you should file Form I-765 within 6 months of the expiration date on your current card. It is recommended that you do not file a request more than 180 days before the expiration of your current EAD.
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Immigrant visa
International students on F-1 visas who get work authorization are given Alien Registration Numbers, even if they aren't applying for a green card. This is also the case if you worked under the Optional Practical Training program after finishing your studies.
An Alien Registration Number, or A-Number, is a unique identifier assigned to you by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is a seven- to nine-digit number that can be found on various documents, including your immigrant visa. If you are applying for a green card from outside the U.S., you should receive an immigrant visa stamp in your passport, which contains your A-Number.
Your A-Number can be found in the top right corner of your visa stamp, usually labelled as the "Registration Number". If your A-Number is fewer than nine digits, it will appear as "A0" followed by your number (e.g., "A012345678").
In addition to your immigrant visa, you can find your A-Number on your work permit, green card, approval notices, Notice of Action, and Immigrant Data Summary. If you applied for your green card through consular processing, you likely received an Immigrant Data Summary stapled to your immigrant visa package, with your A-Number at the top.
If you are unable to locate your A-Number, you can request it through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request, using Form G-639. It may take at least eight weeks to receive a response with the requested A-Number.
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Green card
International students on an F-1 visa can apply for permanent residency through a green card in the U.S. However, it is crucial for students to demonstrate their intention to return to their home country after their temporary stay in the U.S. One way to do this is by applying for an EB-1 visa, which is one of the fastest paths to a green card. To be eligible, you must meet at least three of the following criteria:
- Extraordinary achievements in science
- Extraordinary achievements in education
- Extraordinary achievements in arts
- Extraordinary achievements in business
- Extraordinary achievements in athletics
Alternatively, many F-1 visa holders transition to a green card through employment-based sponsorship after graduation. Your employer must submit supporting documentation to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), including proof of your qualifications and the job offer. EB-2 and EB-3 visas are the two main visa categories to consider for this route.
Another option is to marry a U.S. citizen or green card holder, which may allow you to adjust your status through family sponsorship. However, if you apply for a green card within 90 days of entering the U.S. on an F-1 visa, USCIS may assume you misrepresented your intentions when applying, so timing and documentation are critical.
If you have work authorization, you may already have been issued an Alien Registration Number, also known as an A-Number. This is a unique identifier assigned by USCIS, acting as your personal identification within the immigration system. You can find your A-Number on your green card, usually on the front, and it is typically a seven- to nine-digit number. If your A-Number is fewer than nine digits, simply add a zero after the "A" to create a nine-digit number.
If you are unable to locate your Alien Registration Number, you can request it through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request by filing Form G-639 with USCIS.
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Approval notices
An international student can find their Alien Registration Number, also known as an A-Number, on multiple documents, including their work permit, immigrant visa, and green card, as well as any approval notices, Notice of Action, and their immigrant data summary.
An Approval Notice, officially known as an I-797 or Notice of Action, is a letter issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) when an application or petition is approved. It is typically the second notice of action letter sent out by the USCIS and contains essential information, including a priority date and instructions for the next steps in the process. This letter can also serve as proof of certain immigration benefits and may be required during interviews.
The Alien Registration Number is a seven- to nine-digit number assigned to noncitizens who are in the process of applying for or receiving immigration benefits in the United States. This includes individuals applying for a green card, asylum, or certain nonimmigrant visa types who are authorized to work in the country for an extended period. The A-Number serves as a unique identifier within the immigration system, helping to manage documents and apply for benefits.
For those with an H-1B work visa, an Alien Registration Number is typically not issued during the visa process since it is a temporary visa that does not lead to permanent residency. However, if transitioning from an H-1B visa to a green card, an A-Number may be assigned as part of that process. Similarly, students on F-1 visas who gain work authorization may be assigned an A-Number, even if they are not applying for a green card.
If you are unable to locate your Alien Registration Number, you can request it through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request, specifically Form G-639. This process can take at least eight weeks for the USCIS to respond with the requested A-Number.
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Notice of Action
An Alien Registration Number, also known as an A-Number, is a unique identifier assigned to non-citizens by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) during the immigration process. It is a 7- to 9-digit number that can be found on various official documents, including work permits, immigrant visas, green cards, approval notices, and notices of action.
If you are an international student in the United States, you may have an F-1 student visa. Students with F-1 visas who obtain work authorization will be assigned an Alien Registration Number, even if they are not applying for a green card. This is also the case if you worked under the Optional Practical Training program after completing your studies. Your Alien Registration Number can be found on multiple documents, including:
- Your work permit or Employment Authorization Document (EAD). It is typically printed on the front of the card.
- Your immigrant visa or visa stamp. It is usually located in the top right corner and identified as the "Registration Number."
- Your green card, also known as Form I-551. It is typically found on the front of the card.
- Your Immigrant Data Summary, which may have been stapled to your immigrant visa package if you applied for your green card through consular processing.
- A Notice of Action, such as the I-797C (biometrics notice). It is located in the top right corner of the document next to USCIS#.
- The USCIS Immigrant Fee handout, which includes instructions on how to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee.
If you are unable to locate your Alien Registration Number on any of these documents, you can request it through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request by filing Form G-639 with USCIS. This process may take at least eight weeks, and there may be associated costs.
It is important to note that students with certain visa types, such as the H-1B visa, may not receive an Alien Registration Number during the visa process as these visas are temporary and do not lead directly to permanent residency.
In recent times, international students in the United States have faced challenges due to aggressive immigration enforcement. There have been reports of student visas being revoked and SEVIS records terminated without clear explanations or due process. If you are facing such issues, it is recommended to seek guidance from a qualified immigration attorney to understand your options and protect your rights.
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Frequently asked questions
Alien Registration Number, also known as an A-Number, is a seven to nine-digit number assigned to immigrants in the United States.
An Alien Registration Number is assigned to any non-citizen who is in the process of applying for or receiving immigration benefits in the US. This includes anyone applying for a green card, asylum, and certain non-immigrant visa types who are authorised to work in the US for an extended period.
International students on F-1 visas who have received work authorisation are given Alien Registration Numbers. Students can find their A-Number on their green card, work permit, immigrant visa, and approval notices.
If you are unable to locate your Alien Registration Number, you can request it through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request. You will need to prepare Form G-639 and it will take at least 8 weeks for USCIS to respond with your A-Number.
Your Alien Registration Number, or A-Number, is a 7, 8, or 9-digit number. In contrast, the USCIS Case Number is a 13-character code that begins with 3 letters followed by 10 numbers.
