Have A# from expired OPT card, should I use it?

[nicholas.f1 0]

Hi,

I'm on an F-1 applying for AOS with a 130+485 co-filing based on marriage to an American citizen as per instructions here on visajourney.

I have an EAD employment card that was issued for an OPT (optional practical training) after finishing a degree in the US back in 2009. The card expired in 2010. There is an A# on the card, and I'm wondering if I should use that A# on all my immigration forms, or whether I should leave the A# section blank with the expectation of being issued a new A#, or to avoid confusion between my status is 2010 and my application today.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this matter?

Thanks!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Use your old A#. It is yours for life.

[Morningmist 76]

I didn't use it anywhere. I just sent a copy of my old OPT - EAD in with my I-785. I didn't notice the number if they were the same or different when I later got my EAD or my notices. So far I haven't received any RFEs about it.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You should have supplied your old A#. It's not really "old." it's the one designated for you. You should make sure they figure out your mistake and used the old number for you.

Edited July 8, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[Morningmist 76]

To me from what I understood my F1 EAD had nothing to do with my H1 paperwork OR my AOS paperwork except to answer if I was ever issued an EAD before . In fact I remember when I entered my EAD OPT A# in my I-9 while on H1 , HR sent back my paperwork stating that that number is not correct and that I can't use my A# from the EAD for my current status. I had to use the number of my I-94 in the field for where they ask for A#. That was as per the directive from an immigration lawyer. I've always been asked to send a copy of my EAD while filing for the H1 and H1 transfers but any subsequent paperwork, I've been discouraged from using the A# .

I did send a copy ( front and back) of my F1 EAD while filing for my AOS via marriage and noted my A# on the form I-785. I'm not sure if they reused the number.

What would happen if they issued me a new A# despite sending a copy of my F1 EAD? It's not like I didn't provide it.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Look... you seem to have gotten a lot of swirly advice from lawyers. That seems like the world of Indian H1Bs, a lot of "secret advice" that doesn't actually stand up.

The AOS form is not trying to use your A# to check for work authorization ability, and your H1 work eligibility was not tied to your A#, but rather your visa itself. The I-9 is a whole separate thing from the AOS forms, and I don't wish to explain the long story. In any case, the AOS form asks if you have an A#. You do have an A#. Like a SSN, an alien number is yours for life. So when they asks for it, you are supposed to give it. It's quite simple.

Bad things have happened when people have two alien numbers - your immigration files get separated - there are delays while pulling up the other file. One benefit gets put in one file and another gets put in another file. You can do some searches here about it.

I don't think you should advise "no big deal, nothing bad happened to me... yet." There is NO reason to hide the old A#. You should give it when they ask. Simple as.

Edited July 8, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[Morningmist 76]

Well I just checked them both. My new EAD and my Old F1 EAD.

a) I don't see an A# on my new EAD. Just a USCIS#. Which I am guessing is the new A#

b) They don't match.

So I guess they gave me a new number.

[Morningmist 76]

"That seems like the world of Indian H1Bs, a lot of "secret advice" that doesn't actually stand up. "

Give me a break. Your racism is unfounded and inappropriate. This isn't "secret advice". Two different American companies. Two AMERICAN LAWYERS. If it helps you, they are white. Since race seems to matter to you. They asked me not to send my A# from OPT or use it. But my I-94 number. NOT my visa number. Know the freaking difference. It isn't just to check whether I have work authorization but my legal status in the country too.

Also you assume I didn't provide my A# at all. I have. For my I-765. By sending them a copy of my OPT card. And not to mention for all my visa application. The numbers don't match between my EAD this time round and what I have from my F1. I'm saying I'm not sure about the A# for life thing if it isn't on a Green card.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Sorry if you are offended. My comments have absolutely nothing to do with race. I don't care about the skin tone of the lawyers or anyone, but rather I am talking about the world of H1Bs which is full of scams. There is a whole racket to get H1Bs for people who aren't qualified and to do all sorts of tricks to keep in status. A disproportionate amount of H1Bs come from India. Most are qualified; many are not. It's all a bit smarmy. But, it is a fairly bad visa, so I can understand some of the acrobatics.

Your I-94 is related to your visa.

I am saying I AM sure your A number is supposed to be for life.

[Harsh_77 718]

on this issue, I don't agree with Harpa in most cases the A# from OPT is never used, it is not like SSN.

To my understanding while on OPT the A# is temp for the period of the OPT.

[hmh33 117]

Harpa is completely correct.

[Morningmist 76]

Actually she/he is not correct at all and frankly I feel like they don't know what they are talking about . I called USCIS and talked to an second tier officer. They said that the OPT A# is NOT the A# they are looking for, and leaving the A# empty was the appropriate thing to do and they are different because the one assigned during OPT is a temporary A# for non immigrant purposes and a new number is assigned during AOS because that is an immigrant A#. The OPT A# is NOT FOR LIFE. The A# they are looking for in the application are any immigrant A# you were assigned during ANY immigrant petitions filed with USCIS. For example if you have an I-140 pending or approved for example for GC via employment, then you enter the A# assigned to you then. That particular A# does NOT change. Even if you are filing for immigrant benefits via marriage. If you get a new number, you need to consolidate that prior to your interview because it has caused delays by 8 to 12 months. It hasn't caused denials but they don't give you your GC until they close all relevant immigration files concerning you.

So OP, instead of the OPT A# you need to worry about any A# you were assigned that may have been allocated during any filings by let's say your employer. You still need to send a copy of your OPT/EAD card.

But I am sure the USCIS second tier officer is just giving "swirly" advice that doesn't "stand up". *rolls eyes*.

[DC85 113]

Actually she/he is not correct at all and frankly I feel like they don't know what they are talking about . I called USCIS and talked to an second tier officer. They said that the OPT A# is NOT the A# they are looking for, and leaving the A# empty was the appropriate thing to do and they are different because the one assigned during OPT is a temporary A# for non immigrant purposes and a new number is assigned during AOS because that is an immigrant A#. The OPT A# is NOT FOR LIFE. The A# they are looking for in the application are any immigrant A# you were assigned during ANY immigrant petitions filed with USCIS. For example if you have an I-140 pending or approved for example for GC via employment, then you enter the A# assigned to you then. That particular A# does NOT change. Even if you are filing for immigrant benefits via marriage. If you get a new number, you need to consolidate that prior to your interview because it has caused delays by 8 to 12 months. It hasn't caused denials but they don't give you your GC until they close all relevant immigration files concerning you.

So OP, instead of the OPT A# you need to worry about any A# you were assigned that may have been allocated during any filings by let's say your employer. You still need to send a copy of your OPT/EAD card.

But I am sure the USCIS second tier officer is just giving "swirly" advice that doesn't "stand up". *rolls eyes*.

what they told you is right , the opt A# is temporary, you will have a new one when you file a petition with uscis. after I submitted my AOS, I found the receipt has differant A# than my OPT card.

[nicholas.f1 0]

OP here. Thanks for the lively discussion everyone. I have decided to go ahead and leave the A# blank on my forms. I am of course including a copy of my expired OPT card with the I-765.

I will post back to this thread once I find out what the result is.

Edited July 10, 2013 by nicholas.f1

[Little_My 464]

The A# issued for OPT is, in fact, a temporary alien number, and expires when the EAD card issued for OPT expires. These numbers usually start with a "1" and have 9 digits. However, entering that A# for the forms won't do any harm - they will issue a new alien number during AOS process, which IS permanent. I don't know whether not entering the OPT-associated A-number does harm or not, but I wouldn't think so.