An F-1 student may have an Alien Registration Number, but student admission does not mean every student has the same set of immigration identifiers. The SEVIS number on Form I-20 is not an A-number. The form being completed determines which number should be supplied. [1]
Identify the label before copying the number
USCIS’s SAVE materials distinguish the A-number or USCIS number from the SEVIS identifier and I-94 admission identifier. The SEVIS ID uses an N followed by numbers and tracks the student or exchange-visitor record. The I-94 identifies an admission record. Neither should be entered as an A-number solely because it appears on an immigration document. [1]
A USCIS receipt number is different again. USCIS describes it as a thirteen-character case identifier, generally three letters and ten numbers. It tracks an application or petition rather than replacing the person’s assigned A-number. [2]
Where to look for an existing A-number
Review prior immigration notices and any employment authorization card or other document that explicitly labels an A-number or USCIS number. Compare the name and birth information to confirm the document belongs to the student. An older form can help locate a number, but it should not be treated as infallible if the supporting record shows something different. [1]
A student who has completed another immigration process may have additional identifiers that another student does not. Do not infer permanent residence or another approved benefit merely from possession of an A-number.
How to handle a form when no number is assigned
Read the current instructions for the particular field. Use the instructed not-applicable or blank-field convention rather than inventing a number or substituting the SEVIS ID. If a number is required but the documents are unclear, resolve the record before submitting inconsistent information.
A useful personal list identifies each number, its label, and the source document. Keep it secure and share full identifiers only through appropriate channels. For example, an employment application may ask for a document-related number while a USCIS inquiry requests the receipt identifying the case. Providing the right identifier helps match the right record; it does not independently establish permission to study, work, or remain in the country. [1] [2]
Related questions
See Do H-1B Visa Holders Have an A-Number? and A-Numbers and J-1 Exchange Visitors.
Primary sources
- SAVE Tutorial — Immigration Identifiers. USCIS Number / Alien Number: Also referred to as A-number, it is a unique number ranging from six to nine digits assigned to a noncitizen b
- USCIS e-Request — Non-Delivery of Document. Receipt Number Help. The receipt number is a unique 13-character identifier that USCIS provides for each application or petition it rece
Sources checked: October 31, 2026.