Paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee is an important step after receiving your immigrant visa — it triggers the processing of your green card. To complete this online fee, you’ll need two key identifiers: your A-Number and your DOS Case ID. If you’re unsure where to find these, here’s a simple breakdown to help you locate them with ease. USCIS
What Are These Numbers?
- A-Number (Alien Registration Number):
This starts with the letter “A” followed by 8 or 9 digits — for example, A012345678. USCIS - DOS Case ID (Department of State Case ID):
This is usually three letters followed by 9 or 10 numbers — like ABC1234567890. If you’re a Diversity Visa recipient, your Case ID may be in a slightly different format (e.g., 0000AB12345). USCIS
Where to Find Your A-Number and DOS Case ID
Here are the most common places these numbers will appear:
1. Immigrant Data Summary Sheet
When you had your embassy or consulate interview, you should have received an Immigrant Data Summary attached to your visa packet. Look at the top of that sheet — both your A-Number and Case ID are listed there. USCIS
2. USCIS Immigrant Fee Handout
During your interview abroad, the consular officer should have given you a USCIS Immigrant Fee handout. This guide not only explains how to pay the fee but also has your A-Number and DOS Case ID printed in the top right corner. If you still have this document, it’s a great place to get the info. USCIS
Tip: Make a copy of this handout or write the numbers down and keep them somewhere safe — you’ll need them when paying your fee online. USCIS
3. Your Visa Stamp (Visa Foil)
You can also find both numbers right on your immigrant visa stamp in your passport:
- The Registration Number on the visa is your A-Number. If it has fewer than 9 digits, add a zero after the “A” at the start so it becomes 9 digits long. USCIS
- The IV Case Number is your DOS Case ID, but remove the last two digits (such as “01” or “02”) before using it. USCIS
If You Can’t Find Them
If none of these documents were given to you, or you misplaced them, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate where you had your interview. They can help you get a copy of your immigrant data summary or fee instructions. USCIS
Once you have your A-Number and DOS Case ID, you’ll be ready to pay the immigrant fee online through the USCIS system. That’s a critical step toward receiving your green card — so having the correct numbers at hand makes the whole process much smoother!