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Within the world of immigration procedures, there are certain codes you should know to avoid issues and streamline administrative tasks. One of these is the alien registration number. If you don't know yours, keep reading this article to learn all about it.
What is an alien registration number?
The **alien registration number or alien number** is a number that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) assigns to people coming from abroad. This number serves to identify the person and helps track their important paperwork.
This number consists of seven to nine digits and is unique to each person. It is an identification number that the foreign national will carry for the rest of their life, and they will use it on every immigration form or document they have to submit.
The alien registration number is also known as the **A-Number** (Alien Registration Number), and the government only grants them to those who have applied for permanent residency and a work permit. Every person who applies for a Green Card will receive an alien registration number.
Foreign nationals who are in the United States on an F-1 student visa will also receive an A-Number.
Where does the unique alien registration number in the United States come from?
The alien registration number is issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
This registry was established as part of immigration legislation to improve and streamline USCIS administrative tasks, maintaining accurate records and improving case management.
It is important not to confuse the unique alien registration number with the case number or file number. The case number is an alphanumeric code that changes with each new application, while the alien registration number never changes and does not expire.
How do I find my alien registration number?
You will only receive an alien registration number if you have applied for permanent residency or a work visa. If you enter the United States as a tourist, you will not receive this identification code.
You can find your alien registration number on several different documents:
- Immigrant Data Summary, Immigrant Fee Document, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), on the immigrant visa stamp in your passport, immigrant visa card, Notice of Action, or Green Card.
On many documents, the alien registration number is easy to identify because it is followed by the letters "USCIS#." On an immigrant visa, this number can be identified under the heading "Registration Number."
In the case of the Immigrant Data Summary, the foreign national will receive it during their interview appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. On this summary, the individual will be able to see their A-Number as well as their case ID.
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