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The Daily Insight

What is the meaning of alien registration card?

Author

James Craig

Updated on March 21, 2026

An alien registration card is the official name for the identification card given to lawful permanent residents by the USCIS to identify them as such. Other names for the alien registration card include green card, permanent resident card, and permanent visa.

Besides, what's the difference between green card and alien card?

A lawful permanent resident is someone who has been granted the right to live in the United States indefinitely. Permanent residents are issued an “alien registration card,” known informally as a green card (because at one time the card was green in color).

Additionally, where can I find my alien registration number? Find A-Number on a Green Card

If you have a permanent resident card (green card), you can find your Alien Registration Number on the front side. (The number is also embedded within the characters on the backside as well.) In the example below, the A-Number is listed as “000-001-001” underneath USCIS#.

Correspondingly, what is the alien registration number on a green card?

“A” number is short for Alien Registration Number. It is a unique seven-, eight- or nine-digit number assigned to a noncitizen. The 9-digit USCIS number listed on permanent resident green cards issued after May 10, 2010, is the same as the A-number. The A-number can also be found on the back of green cards.

How do I read my alien registration card?

USCIS# describes the cardholder's alien registration number or “A-number.” Dates are generally in the MM/DD/YYYY format. All permanent residents have a unique 8- or 9-digit A-number. Perhaps the most mysterious information on the front of a green card is the category.

Related Question Answers

Can I stay on green card forever?

As the name suggests, permanent resident status is generally constant. It's granted to people who intend to live in the United States for the foreseeable future. Permanent residents, also known as green card holders, have the privilege of living and working in the United States permanently.

Are you a citizen if you have a green card?

A lawful permanent resident is someone who has been granted the right to live in the United States indefinitely. Permanent residents are given what's known as a “green card,” which is a photo ID card that proves their status. Permanent residents remain the citizen of another country.

What visa type is green card?

Green cards are technically a type of visa that allows for permanent residence. Green cards are issued after arrival in the United States. To qualify for a green card, the applicant must have an immigrant visa already, and applications are made to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

What is the purpose of a green card?

What is a green card? A green card allows a non-U.S. citizen to gain permanent residence in the United States. Many people from outside the United States want a green card because it would allow them to live and work (lawfully) anywhere in the United States and qualify for U.S. citizenship after three or five years.

How can I get green card in USA?

Apply for a Green Card

If you are eligible, file Form I-485 - Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with USCIS, including all supporting documents and fees. USCIS will review your application and schedule an interview with you. Once issued, your Green Card will be valid for 10 years.

How long can you stay out of USA with Green Card?

6 months

What is the current wait time for green card?

about 29-38 months

Can you buy American citizenship?

The visa has become so popular among Chinese millionaires looking for a ticket to citizenship that for the first time since it was introduced 24 years ago, the government has run out of available slots… Left: An EB-5 visa means that $500,000 can buy U.S. citizenship.

Is i 94 Number same as alien number?

The I-94 number is an 11-digit number that is found on the Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94 or Form I-94A). The nine-digit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services number listed on the front of Permanent Resident Cards (Form I-551) issued after May 10, 2010, is the same as the Alien Registration Number.

How do I check immigration status with alien number?

You will need to call 1-800-375-5283 and explain what has happened in your situation. Generally speaking, the people there will be willing to help you locate your receipt number as long as you can provide them with enough information to identify the application.

How do I read my old green card?

Reading a Permanent Resident Card
  1. First line: Spaces 1–2 shows C1 or C2.
  2. Second line: Spaces 1-6 show the cardholder's birth date formatted as YY/MM/DD.
  3. The third line lists the cardholder's last name, first name, middle name, first initial of the father, first initial of the mother.

Where is Green card number?

The green card number — also known as the receipt number or the permanent resident number — is located on the bottom of the back of the card, in the first line of a long string of 90 characters.

Where is my green card?

You can check your case status by calling the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. You will need your receipt number when you call in.

What is naturalization number?

The Naturalization Certificate number can be found at the top, right-hand corner of the “Certificate of Naturalization” (Form N-550). To verify your citizenship status, enter the alien number (also called the alien registration number or USCIS number). This number starts with an “A” and ends with 8 or 9 numbers.

What is green card number?

Your green card number, also known as the receipt number, is a 13-digit number that is printed on a permanent resident card. It's also called a case number because it refers to your specific immigration case. The green card number generally begins with three letters followed by a series of 10 numbers.

What is a permanent resident alien?

A resident alien is a foreign-born United States resident who is not a U.S. citizen. A resident alien is also known as a permanent resident or a lawful permanent resident, which means they are considered an immigrant who has been legally and lawfully recorded as a resident of the country.

How do I get a Korean alien registration card?

Steps for Alien Registration Card (ARC) Application
  1. Steps for Alien Registration Card (ARC) Application.
  2. 1) Go to the immigration website (HiKorea) and make an online reservation for the visit to Sejongno Immigration Office.
  3. * Regardless of the place of residence, make a reservation to Sejongno Immigration Office.

What is alien registration number expiration date?

All USCIS-issued Permanent Resident cards contain two-year or 10-year expiration dates. However, some documents issued by legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) – such as older versions of the Resident Alien card issued from 1977 to 1989 - do not have expiration dates and may still be valid.

Do international students have alien registration number?

International students are given an Alien Registration Number even if they stay for a short period of time. F-1 student visa holders get work authorization letters which contain an Alien Registration Number. So they are provided one even though they aren't applying for a green card.

What is the USCI number?

Our toll free number is 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) and our hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Eastern.

Where is alien registration number on j1 visa?

Look on the top right hand corner of paperwork you have received from USCIS. It should have a nine digit number referred to as alien registration number.

What is control number on Visa?

This includes the visa type, visa holder's nationality, and visa issuance information. The visa control number is printed at the top and is a complicated string of letters and numbers. This control number isn't the visa number. The visa number is the only thing printed in red on the visa stamp.

Where can I find numbers?

You can find your A-Number and Department of State (DOS) Case ID on your immigrant data summary, USCIS Immigrant Fee handout, or immigrant visa stamp. Your A-Number is the letter “A” followed by 8 or 9 numbers (such as A012345678).

Where can I find my Visa number?

The visa number, also called a visa foil number, is a red number that is generally printed on the bottom right side of newer visa documents. In most cases, the U.S. visa number contains eight numeric characters. In some cases, the number contains one letter followed by seven numeric characters.

What is your current nonimmigrant status?

For “Current Nonimmigrant Status,” enter your visa status, such as “F-1 student” or “G-2, family member of foreign government representative.” The Expiration date of your status is found on your I-94. If you're a student a J exchange visitor, you might see "D/S" on your I-94 instead of an expiration date.

Is Uscis number same as alien registration number?

Is a USCIS Case Number the same thing as an A-Number? No. USCIS uses your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) to track you throughout their systems and across multiple applications, while a USCIS Case Number refers to one specific application. Since they are not the same, you will need to be able to tell them apart.

How does a visa look like?

What Does a Visa Look Like? Traditional visas can either be stamped or glued into your passport. If your visa is glued into your passport, it is usually a small document that includes your name, passport number, place of birth, reason for travel and expiration date.

What is Green Card category?

The Green Card category code is used to describe the immigrant visa category that was used to admit an immigrant to the U.S. as a permanent resident or conditional permanent resident. It is located on the front side of the Green Card next to the cardholder's A-number. This field is also known as the class of admission.

What is i551 number?

An i551 number can also be referred to as a case number, receipt number, Green Card number, permanent resident card number, or permanent resident document number. It is a 13 character long combination of letters and numbers; with three letters at the beginning followed by 10 numbers.