Fillin I-485, should I use A# from expired OPT card?

D

debut720

Registered Users (C)
Hi,
I am in the process of filling I-485 together with I-130 (my wife is a US citizen). The form asks for an A#. I have an expired employment authorization card that I had gotten 4 years ago and this card has an A# on it. I had gotten this card when I was on F1 and was using my Optional Practical Training. Should I use this A# on the I-485 that I am filling right now? Or, should I simply leave this entry blank? Thanks!

Huseyin
 
My wife was in the same situation and she used that A# on I-485. When she got the receipt notice for I-485, she noticed that they assigned her a new A#. So I don't think it matters what you put there.
 
Thank you very much raduilie and bps01. This morning I went to talk to the international scholars office at school. They told me to put my old A# number there, but it really sounded like they didn't know what they were talking about. Your suggestions make more sense. I'm not going to put an A# on the I-485 that I am filling in right now. I am including a photocopy of my old OPT card in the package anyway. If they care, the number is there. Thanks again for your help.
 
Debut

Good Luck.. just my 2 cents but the people at the international office really dont know about immigration except the f-1 visa and I-20. So any advice they give about other matter please double check what they say.

I have been there and they managed to mess up my OPT before... :eek:
 
Debut, this is what will normally happen. As people mentioned here already, you will be assigned a new A# for I-485. But if you put your old A# (OPT EAD one) on the EAD application form, you might receive the notice of receipt with that number just for the I-765 notice. But when you go to do your biometrics, they would normally fix it. In any case, by the time you get your new EAD, you should have your new A# on it as that is the AOS A#.
 
Sgsnathan,
From what I heard from Bps01 and Raduilie, I was leaning towards not putting my old A# (from my OPT) anywhere on the forms. It sounds like this will be the most fault-proof route. On my I-765, I am planning to use my I-94 number. (I-765 form asks for either A# or I-94#). Would you concur?
 
Debut, you should be fine either way. Like I said, they should fix the A# later anyway. If not, they would just assign the same A# for your EAD also. Remember, when you do a concurrent filing for an AOS, according to the USCIS in my experience, everything depends on your AOS application. For example, in my case, even the change of address on the I-130 would happen only when the address on the I-485 was done. So go ahead and apply soon. Again, I am not an expert, just talking from my experience and what I have read on this website. Good luck with the application.
 
To make things clear once and for all...

Alien# or A# is generated ONLY for the I-485.

The A# given with the OPT is ONLY a file number. It cannot be an "Alien" number as you are still on a non-immigrant visa.

You DONT have to write your OPT A# on your I-485. IF you had filed a prior I-485, then you MUST enter the previous A#.

Hope this clears all doubt
 
debut720 said:
Sgsnathan,
From what I heard from Bps01 and Raduilie, I was leaning towards not putting my old A# (from my OPT) anywhere on the forms. It sounds like this will be the most fault-proof route. On my I-765, I am planning to use my I-94 number. (I-765 form asks for either A# or I-94#). Would you concur?
Click to expand...

I-94 number.
You use A# only when renewing your EAD or filing a new EAD after you have already file I-485.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top