If you’re an immigrant, chances are that you’ve come across the term “Alien Registration Number”. But what exactly does it mean?

An Alien Registration Number is an identifying number that is given to non-citizens by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). An “alien”, though largely regarded as a dehumanizing term, is defined by the Department of Homeland Security as a person who is not a citizen or national of the United States.

For non-citizens, the Alien Registration Number acts very similarly to a Social Security number for citizens and is typically assigned during your Green Card application. The government uses the Alien Registration Number to keep track of immigration forms, petitions, and other documents that someone may file.

Who Qualifies for an Alien Registration Number? 

Anyone who is not a citizen of the United States qualifies for an Alien Registration Number. Even if you are not eligible for a Green Card, any immigrant who intends to live in the United States permanently will receive an Alien Registration Number.

If you are in the US temporarily, you will not receive an Alien Registration Number given that you are not viewed as a permanent resident. The only exception to this is students on F-1 visas who receive work authorization. If you receive employment documentation, such as a work permit, you would have received an Alien Registration Number. 

In order to gain immigrant status in the United States, most people need to be sponsored by a close family member residing in the US, or by an employer who has offered them a job. Other individuals may become permanent residents through humanitarian programs, allowing them to achieve refugee or asylum status and thus also obtain an Alien Registration Number as a result. How to Obtain Your Alien Registration Number

Essentially, any time you apply for any type of permanent immigrant visa or document that identifies you as a permanent resident, you will be provided an Alien Registration Number. Most people are given their Alien Registration Number when they apply for permanent residency, unless they are a student on a F-1 visa who gained work authorization. 

Your timeline for receiving an Alien Registration Number differs significantly depending on how you obtain permanent residency in the United States. If you’re applying for a Green Card, you will typically receive your Alien Registration Number within thirty days of beginning your application. This applies even if you’re marrying an American citizen.

However, if you’re marrying a Green Card holder, it could take up to a year for you to receive your Alien Registration Number. If your spouse is outside of the United States but a citizen or a Green Card holder, you will only receive your Alien Registration Number after your interview with the U.S. consulate.

Once your interview is complete, you will be given a time frame in which to expect your Alien Registration Number. Lastly, if you’re a F-1 visa holder or have work authorization in the country, you will receive your number with your visa or work permit.

Where to Find Your Alien Registration Number

You can find your Alien Registration Number on the front of your Green Card or permanent resident card, work permit, or immigrant visa. On your Green Card, it will be written under ‘USCIS#’ in the format XXX-XXX-XXX. On your immigrant visa, you can find it on the right-hand side of the document under the ‘Registration Number’ section.

Your Employment Authorization Document will also contain your Alien Registration Number, as will Form I-979C, known as a Notice of Action. Not all Notice of Actions will print your Alien Registration Number but if they do, it will be at the top right-hand side of the document under USCIS A#. 

Example of an Alien Registration Number

An Alien Registration Number always begins with the letter “A” followed by a seven, eight, or nine digit unique numerical identifier. For example, A12345678 could be an Alien Registration Number. 

While this is the same number as your USCIS number, note that it is not the same as the USCIS case number, which is a thirteen digit code that begins with the letters “MSC” or “EAC”. The USCIS case number is then followed by ten numbers.

Essentially, the USCIS case number is assigned to your application but your USCIS number, or Alien Registration Number, is assigned specifically to you.

Ultimately, the Alien Registration Number is crucial if you are not a US citizen but want to remain legally in the country as a permanent resident. An Alien Registration Number is easily obtained, however, and can be found on a multitude of documents. While it is not the same as a Social Security number, it is nevertheless an important identifier and may even be used after you have been granted citizenship, in some cases.

With an Alien Registration Number, immigrants can apply for housing, utilities, bank accounts, employment, aid, and so much more. Although it is not equivalent to a United States citizenship, it is nevertheless a powerful first step.