A number: is it always the same?

[AFD 2]

Hi,

I've held multiple US non-immigrant visas (Jstudent, F1 student and H1B)

[AFD 2]

Hi again (I hit "enter" too quickly on the previous entry and was not able to edit it for some reason, so here is the rest of the message).

I've held multiple US non-immigrant visas (J1 student, F1 student and H1B) and am now applying for a spouse visa. I need to fill out my A number on various forms, but am not sure if I still have one and if I have more than one. I don't have all my past immigration papers with me (some are in the US, in my in-laws' basement in some box), but have found a digital copy of my first employment authorization card (2003), which has an A number on it. I don't have a copy of my second employment authorization card (2006, after Master's degree) to verify that I had the same A number at that point. Then, I have the H1B visa still in my passport but don't know if that came with an A number or not.

Bottom line, is the first OPT-related A number something that stays with me for the rest of my life? Should I use that one when filling out forms? Should I look for my second OPT card? Is there another one related to my H1B visa that I don't know about/remember getting? Should I ask USCIS what is the latest A number they have on file for me? Or should I just fill in "none" in the new immigration forms, where I am asked for an A number?

Thanks!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Apparently the A number on your OPT card isn't a permanent number. It's just a temp number so I would put none. if you want to write the number i've seen that you'll end up with a new one anyway.

[AFD 2]

Thanks for the reply, I was inclined to fill out "none" but wanted to ask for advice. It seems that even if I still have one and don't add it to the form, it cannot really hurt my application much.

Apparently the A number on your OPT card isn't a permanent number. It's just a temp number so I would put none. if you want to write the number i've seen that you'll end up with a new one anyway.