How to Find Your Alien Registration Number

Just like a Social Security number is issued to all American citizens, an Alien Registration Number is issued to certain non-citizens. This serves as an identification tool when you are in the U.S. If you plan on coming to the U.S. as a non-citizen, here are a few things you need to know about this number and where you can find it once it’s been issued to you.

What Is an Alien Registration Number?

The Alien Registration Number is a unique 7, 8, or 9-digit code assigned to every immigrant living in the United States. This is used across all immigration-related documentation and paperwork. In other words, it identifies you as an alien or non-citizen in the U.S. The number is issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It can also be referred to as A-number or A#.

Where Can I Find My Alien Registration Number?

The unique number assigned to you can be found across a range of documents issued by the U.S. federal government. Whenever asked for, officials look at this number to identify you as a non-citizen. Some of the documents/cards/notices where you can find your Alien Registration Number include:

Green Card Alien Registration Number

If you have your green card, then you can find your A-number on it. All permanent residents receive a green card upon arrival which identifies them as permanent residents. You can find the number under USCIS# written in the format of 000-001-001.

EAD Card A-Number

EAD stands for Employment Authorization Document. Also known as a work permit, this document enables non-citizens to legally work in the U.S. and pay taxes.

Immigrant Visa Alien Registration Number

Immigrant visas are issued to all immigrants who wish to live permanently in the U.S. and become American citizens in the future. This also contains your A-number under the Registration Number section found on the right-hand side of the document.

Notice of Action A-Number

Form I-797C, also known as the Notice of Action, is a document issued to communicate reception, rejection, transfer, re-opening, or appointment-related information. You can find your Alien Registration Number in these letters too. But not all Notice of Action letters contain the unique number. If the Notice of Action letter contains the number, it will usually be at the top right-hand side of the document underneath the USCIS A# field.

Immigrant Data Summary A-Number

Whenever you go to a U.S. embassy to attend an interview, you receive a copy of your Immigrant Data Summary. This details your visitation and is stamped on top of your visa package. Your A-number will be listed at the top-right-hand side of the document.

Immigrant Fee Handout Alien Registration Number

After you’ve attended an interview at a U.S. embassy, the official will provide you with a handout document. This provides you with information on how to pay the USCIS for the services incurred. You can find your A-number at the top-right hand corner, explicitly written as your Alien Registration Number. Applying for a green card at a U.S. embassy is referred to as consular processing.

Can You Look Up Your Alien Registration Number Online?

While there is no particular way to simple lookup your A-Number online, it can be found on many of your immigrations records that can be easily looked up online, including:

1. Permanent Resident Green Card
2. EAD Card
3. Immigrant Visa
4. USCIS Immigrant Fee Handout
5. Immigrant Data Summary
6. Notice of Action

A Number for F1 Visa Holders

F1 visa holders, as a general rule, are not issued Alien Registration Numbers. The exception to this rule is for instances in which an international student is given work authorization, as with CPT and OPT. In such instances, that Alien Registration Number is found on the work authorization documentation.

Alien Registration Number FAQ

Who Gets an Alien Registration Number?

An Alien Registration Number is provided to all immigrants living in the U.S. The USCIS identifies an immigrant as someone who intends to live permanently in the U.S. by satisfying the proper conditions for doing so. They’re initially provided a Green card.

When Do I Get an Alien Registration Number?

Most people get an Alien Registration Number once they apply for a green card, subject to the condition that they are eligible to get one. However, certain individuals are assigned an A-number even without a green card.

What the Alien Registration Number Is Used For?

Below is a list of the things your A-Number is used for:

• Keep track of how many resident immigrants are in the country
• Identify you in case of emergency
• Create a record of your activities, such as criminal charges
• Track all immigration paperwork related to you (including citizenship requests)

What’s the Difference Between A-Numbers and USCIS Case Numbers?

The A-number is either a 7, 8, 9-digit number, while the case number is a 13-character code consisting of letters and numbers. The first three characters are letters followed by 10 numbers. The A-number is assigned to you, and the case number is assigned to your case.

Read More

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• OFC Appointment: What You Should Know About It?

Final Thoughts

Understanding your Alien Registration Number is essential for non-citizens living in the United States. This unique identifier, issued by the USCIS, plays a crucial role in various immigration-related processes and documentation. By knowing where to find your Alien Registration Number on different documents, such as your green card, EAD card, or immigrant visa, you can ensure a smooth and compliant stay in the U.S. Remember to keep this number secure and readily available whenever needed. If you have any further questions or need assistance regarding your Alien Registration Number, consult with the appropriate immigration authorities or legal professionals to ensure accurate guidance and support.

How to Find an Alien Registration Number – FAQ

How can I find my Alien Registration Number?

Your Alien Registration Number can be found on various documents issued by the U.S. federal government. Some of the common documents where you can find your Alien Registration Number include:

• Permanent Resident Green Card
• EAD Card (Employment Authorization Document)
• Immigrant Visa
• USCIS Immigrant Fee Handout
• Immigrant Data Summary
• Notice of Action

Can I look up my Alien Registration Number online?

While there is no specific way to look up your Alien Registration Number online, you can find it on many of your immigration records that can be easily accessed online, such as your Permanent Resident Green Card, EAD Card, Immigrant Visa, USCIS Immigrant Fee Handout, Immigrant Data Summary, and Notice of Action.

Do F1 visa holders have an Alien Registration Number?

As a general rule, F1 visa holders are not issued Alien Registration Numbers. However, there are exceptions for instances where F1 visa holders are granted work authorization, such as with CPT (Curricular Practical Training) and OPT (Optional Practical Training). In such cases, the Alien Registration Number can be found on the work authorization documentation.

Who gets an Alien Registration Number?

An Alien Registration Number is provided to all immigrants living in the U.S. The USCIS identifies an immigrant as someone who intends to live permanently in the U.S. by meeting the necessary conditions for doing so. Initially, immigrants are provided a Green Card.

When do I get an Alien Registration Number?

Most people receive an Alien Registration Number when they apply for a green card, provided they are eligible to receive one. However, certain individuals may be assigned an Alien Registration Number even without a green card.

What is the Alien Registration Number used for?

The Alien Registration Number, also known as the A-number, serves various purposes, including:

• Keeping track of the number of resident immigrants in the country
• Identifying individuals in case of emergencies
• Creating a record of activities, such as criminal charges
• Tracking all immigration paperwork related to an individual, including citizenship requests

What is the difference between A-numbers and USCIS case numbers?

The Alien Registration Number (A-number) is a 7, 8, or 9-digit number assigned to an individual, while the USCIS case number is a 13-character code consisting of letters and numbers. The first three characters of the USCIS case number are letters, followed by 10 numbers. The A-number is assigned to an individual, while the case number is assigned to their specific immigration case.

If you have any further questions about finding your Alien Registration Number, it is recommended to consult with the appropriate immigration authorities or legal professionals for accurate guidance and support.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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