Submitted I-485 without A#, even though I had had one

D

dgrajan

Registered Users (C)
I just sent today the I-485 applications of mine and my wife. I had an EAD for Optional Practical Training for one year while I was on F1. Now only (just my stupid ignorance) I realized that when my EAD for OPT was approved, they assigned me a A#. Not realizing this, I have submitted my I-485 application without that number. WILL THAT AFFECT THE I-485 DECISION? WILL THEY ISSUE AN RFE? IS NOT MENTIONING IT A FALSIFICATION OF FACT?

I had sent a copy of my OPT-EAD card (Both front and back) with my supporting documents. It has the A# on it. WILL THIS BE HELPFUL? And, I also forgot to attach a copy of my I-797 approval notice for the EAD (OPT). WILL THIS ALSO BE A PROBLEM?

Please give your helpful suggestions. Thank you very much.
 
The A# you need to use is the one related to your approved I-140 form. That EAD OPT one is not related and probably is different from the one printed on your I140 receipt. At least, this is what I have for my case.
 
you should be OK.

to my knowledge, One person get assigned on one A # just like SSN. Occasionally when they cannot find you in the system for whatever reason, they assign you a different A #. But they have resolution units who fix such issues.

I had an A # from my J waiver and that stayed on with me for H1, and I-140 notice. On my I-140 form I wrote my A # wrong (Frame shift error) and they figured it out and wrote the correct A # on the approval notice.

From an applicant's perspective A number has only one adavntage. If you had a name check within 15 months on a particular A #, they will not request another NC on you for a subsequent application.

So...... don't worry and relax.

----------------------

Based on my reading here and there. I am not a lawyer.
 
I did exactly the same thing. They gave me a new A# for my 485. Don't know if it delays the processing any. My 485 has been pending since six months even though the PD is current. I'm from India....so the delay might not have anything to do with the A#.
 
A numbers that begin with "1" (usually assigned to non-immigrant based EAD categories) are NOT the same A numbers that are assigned for immigrant petitions, which usually begin with "0". If your original EAD A# began with a "1" then they would have disregarded it anyway had you written it. The immigrant petition A# (that also gets assigned to your I-485, I-131, and your C-9 category I-765), will begin with a "0" - you may not see the zero since they sometimes leave it out and provide an eight-digit A# instead of nine.
 
dgrajan,

Yes, you should have it. In the approval notice where it says 'Beneficiary', it gives the A# on top of your name (Top right hand side, in the table). It starts like A 0XX XXX XXX. I will be very surprised if you don't have that.
 
eb1a-query said:
dgrajan,

Yes, you should have it. In the approval notice where it says 'Beneficiary', it gives the A# on top of your name (Top right hand side, in the table). It starts like A 0XX XXX XXX. I will be very surprised if you don't have that.
Click to expand...

No, I did not have any number. In my case, the petiotioner and the beneficiary both were my names, and there was no number in that format. Should I be worried?

MY H1B APPROVAL NOTICE HAD SUCH A NUMBER ABOVE MY NAME IN THE FORMAT A1** *** ***, which is the same that was in my EAD (F1 - OPT). But my I-140 approval notice nor the receipt notice did not have anything of that sort. Now I am getting worried a bit.

So, I just now called the USCIS to ask about not writing the above A# (From H1B and F1-OPT) in my I-485. The lady said that they might probably sent me back the application (? does she mean RFE). She also said that the A# does not change (how strange??). When I asked why my I-140 approval notice did not have an A# like for others, she did not say anything. She said "you keep your A# assigned to you and that is the one you should have put on your I-485". Now I am very worried.

Will this be a big problem, or should be taken care of by itself during the I-485 processing. PLEASE GIVE YOUR HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS. Thanks.
 
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Dgrajan:

Calm down. We did not write any A# in our applications. I was derivative, so I was not assigned one (although I had OPT-EAD, but my international adviser told me not to use that number on other applications). My husband was assigned one on his I-140 approval, but we did not use it (because we were in a hurry to send the I-485 package and didn't want to print again the whole stuff).

There were no problems: they assigned a new A# to me (beginning with a 0), and they used the previuos A# assigned on I-140 to my husband.

You will get one when they receive your application. Relax and stop calling USCIS. Usually the customer service representatives are just contractors who don't understand much of the immigration issues (unless you are able to speak directly to an immigration officer).

It is not the end of the world. If you sent a copy of the approval notice they know how to find you into the system and you will get a new A#.

Good luck with your AOS process!:)
 
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ioananv said:
Dgrajan:

Calm down. We did not write any A# in our applications. I was derivative, so I was not assigned one (although I had OPT-EAD, but my international adviser told me not to use that number on other applications). My husband was assigned one on his I-140 approval, but we did not use it (because we were in a hurry to send the I-485 package and didn't want to print again the whole stuff).

There were no problems: they assigned a new A# to me (beginning with a 0), and they used the previuos A# assigned on I-140 to my husband.

You will get one when they receive your application. Relax and stop calling USCIS. Usually the customer service representatives are just contractors who don't understand much of the immigration issues (unless you are able to speak directly to an immigration officer).

It is not the end of the world. If you sent a copy of the approval notice they know how to find you into the system and you will get a new A#.

Good luck with your AOS proccess!:)
Click to expand...

Thank you very much. I think I will just keep quiet. I know calling the customer service was not at all helpful. Thank you once again
 
There is nothing you can do now. Don't get yourself worried sick. I personally think there is nothing to worry about (considering that we did the same and everything went smoothly).

Keep an eye to your bank account and if you are lucky they will cash your checks quickly and you'll be able to see your cases online before receiving the receipt.
 
I agree with ioananv. Since they did not provide you with the A# with your I-140, then how are you supposed to write it? Also, the customer reps do not know much at all. I think, they will assign you and your spouse your A#s. Do not worry.
 
found this in one of the USCIS PDF files posted here...


When an alien files with the Immigration Service, he or she is sometimes
assigned an Alien Registration Number (A-number). The A-number consists
of an "A" followed by 9 digits, for example, A99333888. The A-number is
used to create a record for the alien in the Central Index System (CIS) in
National Systems. This A-number follows the alien throughout his or her
dealings with the Immigration Service, and is attached to his or her
immigration documentation. Each A-file is tracked by the corresponding Anumber.
Thus, when an I-485 is processed at the Service Center, a search of CIS must
be conducted to determine if the applicant has previously been assigned an Anumber
and/or to validate his/ her alleged number. Searches may also reveal
that the applicant has a violation. If multiple A numbers are identified during
CIS review or a violation is found, the case is sent to the Case Resolution
Unit (CRU). CRU will determine the appropriate A number as well as any
other corresponding files for that applicant. Background information from an
American consulate or embassy may be required via the G-325A Biographic
Information form. If required, G-325A processing will be initiated at this
point.
Click to expand...
 
Yesterday, we got our I-485 receipt notices and both of them contained new A#. Thank you very much for all of your kind and helpful suggestions. Now, am waiting for the Finger Printing Notice. Usually, how long after the I-485 does USCIS send the FP notice? Any Idea???
 
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