Key Takeaways
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Your A-Number (Alien Registration Number) is a permanent 7- to 9-digit identifier that appears on green cards and EADs as USCIS# on the front of the card.
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On I-797 notices, the A-Number is labeled A-Number or A# near the top of the first page, while the Receipt Number is a separate 13-character case-tracking code.
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Never confuse the A-Number with the 13-character Card Number on the back of green cards or EADs, or the 11-digit I-94 Admission Number.
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Accurate A-Number entry is critical for Form I-9, USCIS applications, and E-Verify to avoid delays, RFEs, or penalties under current ICE guidelines.
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Book a consultation with Jumpstart Immigration for expert guidance on locating your A-Number and navigating USCIS documents.
What Your A-Number Is And Why You Keep It For Life
The A-Number, formally called the Alien Registration Number, is the unique personal identifier DHS assigns to noncitizens who have an immigration file with USCIS. Once USCIS assigns it, you keep it for life. The number stays the same when you renew a green card, change status, or later naturalize as a U.S. citizen.
The format is 7 to 9 digits, always preceded by the letter “A”, such as A012-345-678 or A012345678. The hyphens only affect formatting. On modern green cards and EADs, USCIS removed the printed “A” and shows the digits under the label “USCIS#.” A-123456789 and 123456789 are the same identifier; one version simply omits the letter.
You use your A-Number for Form I-9 employment verification (Section 1), USCIS benefit applications such as I-485, I-765, and N-400, and status checks in your myUSCIS account. A wrong A-Number on these forms can cause delays, Requests for Evidence, or E-Verify mismatches.
Book a consultation with Jumpstart Immigration if you want step-by-step help with USCIS documents and applications.
Finding The A-Number On A Green Card
[Annotated image placeholder: Front and back of current green card. Arrow on front pointing to USCIS# field below photo. Arrow on back pointing to 13-character Card Number in machine-readable zone. Alt text: “Current USCIS green card front showing USCIS# field (A-Number) and back showing Card Number in machine-readable zone.”]
Current green cards (issued since May 2017, including the January 30, 2023 redesign): Your A-Number appears on the front of the card in the field labeled USCIS#, usually below your photo and date of birth. The USCIS Number and the A-Number are the same nine digits on these cards. The field does not say “A-Number,” which often confuses cardholders.
Older green cards (pre-2017): Older cards may label the A-Number as “Alien #” or “A#” and may show it on the front. Some versions issued before May 2010 require checking both sides of the card.
Critical distinction: The 13-character Card Number on the back of the card, three letters followed by ten digits, identifies the physical card. That number changes every time USCIS issues a new card. Your A-Number identifies you and never changes.
Finding The A-Number On An EAD Card (Form I-766)
[Annotated image placeholder: Front of current EAD card. Arrow pointing to USCIS# field (A-Number) in upper area. Separate arrow pointing to Card Number field. Alt text: “EAD card front showing USCIS# (A-Number) and separate Card Number field.”]
On current EADs, your A-Number appears on the front of the card labeled USCIS#. The EAD also includes a separate Card Number on the front, a 13-character code with three letters and ten digits, which differs from the A-Number. EADs issued prior to October 25, 2011, labeled the A-Number as “A#” or “Alien #” on the front of the card.
Critical distinction for Form I-9: Enter the USCIS# (A-Number) in Section 1 and the Card Number in the Section 2 Document Number field. Both numbers appear on the front, which makes mix-ups easy and costly. Compliance expert Patricia Duarte of i9 Intelligence explains: “The A-Number on the EAD and the number in Section 1 have to match character for character. We see leading zeros dropped, or someone copies the receipt number from the approval notice instead of the USCIS number on the card itself.”
Finding The A-Number On I-797 Notices
[Annotated image placeholder: Form I-797 Notice of Action. Arrow pointing to A-Number / A# in top-left corner. Separate arrow pointing to Receipt Number field. Alt text: “Form I-797 Notice of Action showing A-Number in top-left and Receipt Number as a separate field.”]
On Form I-797 Notice of Action, which includes approval notices, receipt notices, and biometrics appointments, the A-Number appears in the upper-left area labeled A-Number or A#. Some I-797C versions, especially biometrics notices, place it in the upper-right next to “USCIS#”. Check both corners if you do not see it at first glance.
Critical distinction: The Receipt Number, a 13-character code beginning with three letters such as IOE, EAC, or SRC, tracks a specific filing and appears elsewhere on the notice. USCIS assigns a new receipt number to each application. Your A-Number stays the same for life. Many applicants accidentally copy the Receipt Number where an A-Number belongs. For a deeper look at I-797, see our dedicated guide: Where Is The USCIS A-Number On An I-797? A Visual Guide.
Finding The A-Number On An Immigrant Visa Stamp
[Annotated image placeholder: Immigrant visa foil in passport. Arrow pointing to Registration Number field in top-right of stamp. Alt text: “Immigrant visa stamp in passport showing Registration Number field (A-Number) in top-right corner.”]
When a U.S. consulate issues an immigrant visa, your A-Number appears on the visa foil in your passport. Look for “Registration Number” in the top-right portion of the visa stamp. If the number has fewer than nine digits, add a leading zero after the “A” to reach the full nine-digit format. For example, A1234567 becomes A01234567.
Important: Nonimmigrant visa stamps such as H-1B, F-1, or B-1/B-2 do not contain an A-Number. The State Department issues those visas and uses different identifiers. Only immigrant visas and USCIS-issued documents carry the A-Number.
A-Number And I-94 Records
Most travelers will not see an A-Number on a standard I-94 record. Most Form I-94 records for nonimmigrants do not include a USCIS A-Number. The I-94 shows an 11-digit Admission Number that tracks a specific entry and exit, which serves a different purpose from your A-Number.
Some categories, such as asylees, parolees, and certain adjustment applicants, may see an A-Number printed on the I-94. In these cases, the I-94 may or may not include an A-Number, and the label clearly identifies it when present. To retrieve your I-94 Admission Number, visit cbp.gov.
A-Number, USCIS Number, And Receipt Number Compared
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Identifier |
What It Is |
Where It Appears |
|---|---|---|
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A-Number |
Permanent 7–9 digit personal identifier assigned by USCIS; never changes |
I-797 notices labeled A# or A-Number; older green cards labeled Alien # |
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USCIS# |
The same number as your A-Number, displayed without the “A” prefix |
Front of current green cards and EADs |
|
Receipt Number |
13-character code with three letters and ten digits that tracks one specific application |
I-797 notices, separate from the A-Number field |
The A-Number and USCIS# refer to the same identifier, with newer cards simply dropping the printed “A.” The Receipt Number functions as a case-tracking code for a single petition or application. Entering a Receipt Number where an A-Number belongs is a frequent filing error and can create significant delays.
Frequent A-Number Mistakes And Quick Answers
These errors appear most often when people try to locate or enter an A-Number:
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Mistaking the I-94 Admission Number, which has 11 digits, for the A-Number
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Confusing the 13-character Card Number on a green card or EAD with the A-Number
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Searching for an “A-Number” label when the card shows “USCIS#,” even though they are the same thing
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Copying the Receipt Number from an I-797 instead of the A-Number
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Dropping leading zeros when transcribing the A-Number, which creates a mismatch in E-Verify
Book a consultation if you feel unsure about the number you entered on a pending USCIS application.
I-94 Number And Alien Number Difference
The I-94 Admission Number is an 11-digit identifier that tracks a single entry event into the United States. Your A-Number is a permanent 7- to 9-digit personal identifier that USCIS assigns to you. These numbers serve different purposes and you should never substitute one for the other on any form. Most nonimmigrant I-94 records do not contain an A-Number.
Alien Number On A Green Card
Current green cards issued since May 2017, including the January 30, 2023 redesign, show the A-Number on the front labeled “USCIS#,” usually below your photo. Older cards may label it “Alien #” or “A#.” In every design, the A-Number differs from the 13-character Card Number printed in the machine-readable zone on the back of the card, which identifies the physical card.
A-Number Location On Form I-797
The A-Number appears near the top of Form I-797 labeled “A-Number” or “A#.” On most versions it sits in the top-left corner. On some I-797C biometrics notices it appears in the top-right next to “USCIS#.” If you do not see it at first, check both corners. The A-Number always differs from the Receipt Number, which is a 13-character case-tracking code that begins with letters such as IOE, EAC, or SRC.
Steps If You Cannot Find Your A-Number
Start with your USCIS online account at my.uscis.gov, then review any prior I-797 notices or approval letters. You can also contact the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. Another option is filing a FOIA request using Form G-639 to obtain your immigration file, although that process can take several weeks or months. If you worked with an immigration attorney, that office will usually have your A-Number in its records.
Why Accurate A-Number Entry Matters
Incorrect A-Numbers on Form I-9 can trigger E-Verify mismatches and Tentative Nonconfirmations that jeopardize a new hire’s work authorization. Wrong identifiers on USCIS benefit applications can cause delays, RFEs, or denials. Under March 2026 ICE guidelines, paperwork errors on Form I-9 count as substantive violations with penalties from $288 to $2,861 per form.
You can avoid these problems by checking the label on each document, copying the number exactly as printed, including leading zeros, and using the A-Number instead of any Receipt Number or Card Number.
Conclusion: Use Your A-Number To Keep Your Case On Track
Your A-Number appears as “USCIS#” on green cards and EADs, as “A#” on I-797 notices, and as “Registration Number” on immigrant visa stamps. You keep this identifier permanently, separate from Receipt Numbers, Card Numbers, and I-94 Admission Numbers, across every renewal, status change, or application you file.
If you are navigating the U.S. immigration system and need help with a visa or green card, Jumpstart Immigration reports a 98% approval rate and a 100% refund guarantee, including USCIS government fees, if a case is denied, with many O-1 cases closing in roughly three months. Book a consultation to see whether you qualify.
