5/3/2023
Immigration processing in the United States is full of requirements and terms that you need to know well if you want to reside and work legally in the country.
If you have ever heard of the Alien Registration Number or A-number and do not know exactly what it refers to, here we will try to clarify its most fundamental aspects.
What is the Alien Registration Number?
The Alien Registration Number corresponds to a series of unique digits that can be 7, 8 or 9 numbers that are assigned to immigrants who want to legalize their status in the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plays an oversight role in its adjudication and this 'identification' accompanies immigration processes such as green card, work permit, among others.
To obtain it, you must contact the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). This government agency, which works hand in hand with the DHS, is in charge of managing immigration paperwork.
The 'A-number', 'A#', 'USCIS number' or registration number is issued by this agency to the majority who want to have permanent residency.
The alien registration number was created to keep track of immigration documents submitted by a single person. It is also used to help you find your A-Files or those of your family members. Once you get it, you keep it for the rest of your life.
How to get an A-number?
When you do not have an alien registration number, the USCIS can give it to you when you apply for a green card. In case you have an F-1 visa, which grants you authorization to work through the OPT program, you are given the A-number after you submit the application to work.
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If your immigration petition is approved by the USCIS, the officer handling your case will be in charge of creating your file or a-file.
This record contains your alien registration number and any other forms/applications you have filed. Until you are approved for an application, you do not receive the A#.
There are other ways to get the Alien Registration Number. For example, you can apply for a Marriage Green Card within the country.
After submitting this application, your A-number will be on the USCIS notification receipt. If you do this process abroad, you get the registration number when you go for the interview at a consulate.
Is it necessary to have an Alien Registration Number?
The simple answer to this question would be yes. Of course, this is if you want to put down roots, raise a family, have a career and aspire to the social benefits that the United States offers you.
In addition, if you are an immigrant who wants to stay and work, you will need the USCIS number to process the necessary official documentation.
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This also applies to those who want a green card, a work permit or U.S. citizenship. The same is true for those who wish to apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate/embassy or must deal with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
At the time you become a lawful permanent resident, you must renew your card every 10 years. When you are granted conditional permanent resident status based on your marriage to a citizen/legal resident, you must make an application to remove the conditions on your green card after 2 years.
What does it mean to be an alien in the United States?
Within the legal and immigration context, an alien is a foreign person in U.S. territory. In this sense, when you possess this designation, you are considered as someone who does not have a specific nationality or someone who does not have citizenship.
There are several categories within this designation:
- Legal Alien
- Illegal Alien
- Enemy alien
- Non-resident alien
- Temporary resident alien
- Permanent Resident Alien
Holding this 'title' implies that you must go through a series of procedures to legalize your stay, work and live like any other U.S. citizen.
Other details about the alien registration number
Finally, there are a few small distinctions you should remember:
- The A-number is not the same as the visa number.
- The Social Security number is different from the USCIS number.
- Do not confuse the A# with the USCIS online account number.
- The I-94 number is not the same as the registration number. The former has 11 digits and you can find it on the arrival/departure form (I-94 and I-94A forms).
Now you know a little more about the alien registration number and how to obtain it. If you are interested in other similar topics or in comparing the best financial products of the moment, we invite you to use the Busconomico search engine.
Español: Conseguir el Número de Registro de Extranjero (A-Number)