What is alien registration number?

An alien registration number (ARN) is a unique identification number assigned to non-citizens by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The ARN is used to track and monitor the immigration status of non-citizens, including their entry, exit, and stay in the United States.

The ARN is a nine-digit number that starts with the letter "A". The first three digits of the ARN indicate the year the non-citizen was admitted to the United States, while the last six digits are randomly generated. For example, an ARN that starts with "A123456789" indicates that the non-citizen was admitted to the United States in 2012.

The ARN is issued to non-citizens when they are first admitted to the United States, and it remains valid until the non-citizen leaves the country or changes their immigration status. The ARN is not the same as the Social Security number, which is a different identification number issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Non-citizens are required to provide their ARN when they apply for certain benefits and services, such as a driver's license, a Social Security card, or a passport. The ARN may also be used by employers to verify the employment eligibility of non-citizens.

If a non-citizen loses their ARN, they can request a replacement from the USCIS. The USCIS will issue a new ARN free of charge.