DS 260 - Currently in US in L1 Visa

[bc2015 0]

Hi All,

I have been selected to 2015 DV lottery program. I'm filling the DS 260, I'm working in USA with L1 visa and need to relocate back to my county soon. Hence I thought not to go with AOS (Adjustment of state) process.

My Questions:

1. What is "A#" (A - number, Alien Registration Number) and should I have one? where I can find it?

The question in the form is "Were you issued an Alien Registration Number by the Department of Homeland Security?" I'm not sure I have one or not? is this my I94 number? If i say "yes" for above they are asking for a number starting with 'A'.

2. What is my visa number?

In "Previous US travel" section they ask what is my visa number? I'm holding a L1 visa. There are few numbers in the visa sticker (Control number...etc). What is the correct number I should provide them?

3. Do I need new SSN Card? DS-260 ask whether I need new SSN card issued ( I have SSN and I have SSN card with me now as L1 visa - worker)

I call KCC general inquiry number regarding this, they are not sure about those and ask me to call USCIS.

Please help.

thanks,

BC

[david&whenz 5]

Alien number is found on the visa sticker on your passport. It has 9-digits, eg A#555666777. The visa number/control number should be longer than the alien number and also found on your visa sticker. Use your current SSN. You should never have 2 SSN.

Edited June 2, 2014 by david&whenz

[zuroma999 12]

I remember on my L1 visa I only had a WAC number and I remember my I-94 card in my passport didn't have an A#.

If you can find a 7-9 digit number starting with A on your visa or I-94 then that's it. If you don't have any such number then you don't have an A number.

[guestgulkan 9]

I don't think you get an alien number unless you have a greencard.

[david&whenz 5]

I had my alien number on my visa.

[Sm1smom 252]

Alien number is found on the visa sticker on your passport. It has 9-digits, eg A#555666777. The visa number/control number should be longer than the alien number and also found on your visa sticker. Use your current SSN. You should never have 2 SSN.

An A# is not the same as a SSN, and they are not supposed to be use interchangeably! An A# is a unique seven-, eight- or nine-digit number assigned to a noncitizen at the time his or her A-file is created - the A-file is created when one applies for one can of benefit or the other from USCIS.

I had my alien number on my visa.

Not all visas are issued with A-#. NIV do not come with alien numbers assigned to them, You had an A-# on your visa because it was a fiance visa (I'm deducing you came to the US on a fiance visa from the information under your profile name)

[Sm1smom 252]

Hi All,

I have been selected to 2015 DV lottery program. I'm filling the DS 260, I'm working in USA with L1 visa and need to relocate back to my county soon. Hence I thought not to go with AOS (Adjustment of state) process.

My Questions:

1. What is "A#" (A - number, Alien Registration Number) and should I have one? where I can find it?

The question in the form is "Were you issued an Alien Registration Number by the Department of Homeland Security?" I'm not sure I have one or not? is this my I94 number? If i say "yes" for above they are asking for a number starting with 'A'.

2. What is my visa number?

In "Previous US travel" section they ask what is my visa number? I'm holding a L1 visa. There are few numbers in the visa sticker (Control number...etc). What is the correct number I should provide them?

3. Do I need new SSN Card? DS-260 ask whether I need new SSN card issued ( I have SSN and I have SSN card with me now as L1 visa - worker)

I call KCC general inquiry number regarding this, they are not sure about those and ask me to call USCIS.

Please help.

thanks,

BC

1. Answer "No" - you have no A-#, the alien registration number is not your I-94 number.

2. The jury is still out as to what is actually refered to as the Visa number. Some are of the opinion that the Visa number is the red number displayed towards the bottom of the visa as depicted in the following link:

http://www.***removed***/visas/sample-usa-non-immigrant-visa.html

While some are of the opinion that the Control Number is what is required. Either way, you should be fine with whichever number you end up using.

3. You may want to select "Yes" to ensure you're sent a new SS card without the "DHS work restriction" listed on the card. Of course if you select 'No', you can always walk into the nearest SSA building once you become a LPR and request for a new card without the DHS restriction to be issued. Either way, you will still have your old SSN (which is for life), so you decide which is easier for you.

Edited June 2, 2014 by Sm1smom

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

.nm

Edited June 2, 2014 by SusieQQQ

[bc2015 0]

Thank you Sm1smom for your time and detail explanation and correct answers

[guestgulkan 9]

3. You may want to select "Yes" to ensure you're sent a new SS card without the "DHS work restriction" listed on the card. Of course if you select 'No', you can always walk into the nearest SSA building once you become a LPR and request for a new card without the DHS restriction to be issued. Either way, you will still have your old SSN (which is for life), so you decide which is easier for you.

I've never heard of a SS card with a DHS restriction. What's that? Now I'm wondering if I need a new one. Is it written obviously on the card somewhere?

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

I'm assuming someone on a work visa would not have a work restriction on their SS card... Still if it were me I would order a new card just to be absolutely sure it reflected everything correctly for a LPR.

[Sm1smom 252]

I've never heard of a SS card with a DHS restriction. What's that? Now I'm wondering if I need a new one. Is it written obviously on the card somewhere?

A restricted SS card will have the inscription such as "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION" or "NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT" printed on it. The OP being on L1 visa will most likely have a card with the first inscription on it.

The SSA office typically issues 3 types of SS card:

1. Shows your name and Social Security number and lets you work without restriction.

   Issued to:

   • U.S. citizens; and
   • People lawfully admitted to the United States on a permanent basis.
2. Shows your name and number and notes, "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION." Card is issued to people lawfully admitted to the United States on a temporary basis who have DHS authorization to work.
3. Shows your name and number and notes, "NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT." Issued to people from other countries:
   • Who are lawfully admitted to the United States without work authorization from DHS, but with a valid nonwork reason for needing a Social Security number; or
   • Who need a number because of a federal law requiring a Social Security number to get a benefit or service.

http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/cards.htm

[Sm1smom 252]

I'm assuming someone on a work visa would not have a work restriction on their SS card... Still if it were me I would order a new card just to be absolutely sure it reflected everything correctly for a LPR.

Those with work based visas do have restrictions on their SS card. They are restricted to working for the employer responsible for their visa.Should they decide to change employers, their new employer will need to sponsor them and they need to be approved before they can work for the new employer. Those with F and J visas are equally resrticted as to who they can work for and how many hours of work they can undertake.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Those with work based visas do have restrictions on their SS card. They are restricted to working for the employer responsible for their visa.Should they decide to change employers, their new employer will need to sponsor them and they need to be approved before they can work for the new employer. Those with F and J visas are equally resrticted as to who they can work for and how many hours of work they can undertake.

Got it now