Where do i find my alien number

“A-Number” is shorthand for Alien Registration Number, which is primarily assigned to beneficiaries that either intend to get permanent residence in the U.S. or get a work permit through another means.

Table of Contents Show

Immigrant Visa
I-140 Approval Notice
H1-B Receipt Notice
Ineligible Categories
Immigrant Data Summary
USCIS Immigrant Fee Handout
Visa Stamp
How do I find out my alien number?
Is alien number same as USCIS number?
Where is the alien number on a US passport?
How do I know if I have an alien registration number?

The A-Number is a seven- to nine-digit number that is prefixed with the letter “A” and is found on various documents issued either by USCIS or by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.

Even though the exact name may vary across various documents, but they all mean the same thing as the A-Number.

Greencard

The greencard has the USCIS Number (USCIS#). This is the same as the A-Number.

Immigrant Visa

When the U.S. Embassy/Consulate issues you an immigrant visa, it will be provided in the form of a stamp in your passport. It has a field called “Registration Number”. This is the same as your A-Number.

EAD

The EAD (Employment Authorization Card) has your USCIS number (USCIS#). This is the same as the A-Number.

A USCIS# is issued for all types of EADs, including EADs for OPT, CPT, or H-4 or L-2 visas.

I-140 Approval Notice

A-Number will be listed under the “BENEFICIARY” column, where both the A-Number and your name will be listed.

As an I-140 is only for the primary applicant (who may be on an H-1B visa), even in this case, the dependents on H-4 visas will not have an A-Number.

Most employers share I-140 approval notices with the beneficiaries. However, in case your employer is unwilling to share that with you, you can file a FOIA Request to get that information.

H1-B Receipt Notice

Normally, the A-Number is not listed on an H-1B receipt notice or approval notice. However, if your employer files H-1B visa for you (typically H-1B extension) after your I-140 is already approved, the receipt notice will have the A-Number.

It will be listed under the “BENFICIARY” column, where it will have both your A-Number as well as your name.

In such a case, the H-4 visa receipt notice will still not have an A-Number.

Ineligible Categories

Most H or L visa approval notices do not have the A-Number.
PERM ETA number is not the same as the A-Number.

Usage

Once you are issued an A-Number, you will be required to include it on any immigration form wherever it asks for the A-Number.

Immigrant Data Summary

When you attended your U.S. embassy or consulate appointment, you should have received an immigrant data summary stapled to the front of your immigrant visa package. You can find your A-Number and DOS Case ID at the top of the immigrant data summary, as shown in the picture below.

USCIS Immigrant Fee Handout

When you attended your interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate, the DOS interviewing officer should have given you a USCIS Immigrant Fee handout. This document provides instructions on how to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee and includes your A-Number and DOS Case ID in the top right corner, as shown below. Please make a copy of your USCIS Immigrant Fee handout or write down your A-Number and DOS Case ID and store it in a safe place. If you did not receive an immigrant data summary or a USCIS Immigrant Fee handout with your visa packet, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that issued your visa to request a copy.

Visa Stamp

You can also find your A-Number and DOS Case ID on the visa stamp (also called a visa foil) in your passport, as shown in the picture below.

Your A-Number is identified as the Registration Number on your visa stamp. If your A-Number is fewer than 9 digits, insert a zero after the “A” and before the first digit to create a 9-digit number. For example, “A12345678” would become “A012345678.”
Your DOS Case ID is identified as the IV Case Number on your visa stamp. However, please note the IV Case Number has two additional numbers at the end, such as 01 or 02. When entering the IV Case Number as the DOS Case ID, do not includethe last two numbers. For example, if your IV Case Number is “ABC1234567801,” you would enter your DOS Case ID as “ABC12345678” (do not include the “01”).

How do I find out my alien number?

Is alien number same as USCIS number?

Your alien registration number is different from your USCIS case number. However, the case number and USCIS number found on your green card differ. Here is the confusing part: Your USCIS number on your green card is actually your alien number, whereas your USCIS case number for your applications is different.

Where is the alien number on a US passport?

The alien number (also called alien registration number or USCIS number) can be found on the immigration document. It starts with an “A” and ends with 8 or 9 numbers. located at the top, right- hand side of the document.

How do I know if I have an alien registration number?

If you were issued a green card/permanent resident card (Form I-551) after May 10, 2010, you'd be able to find your number on the front, next to your picture. The back of the green card also contains the alien number. Older green cards, issued between 2004 and 2010, have the Alien Registration Number listed as “A#.”