“I recently entered the US on an IR1 visa and received my SSN card, but I can't find my A-Number. My visa stamp has a 9-digit registration number but no 'A' in front of it, and I didn't get a packet at the consulate ('IV docs in CCD'). Is that 9-digit number my A-Number, and does receiving my SSN mean my Green Card will arrive soon?”
The missing “A” and missing paper packet are consistent with the official instructions for your visa. If a border officer admitted you as a permanent resident, the physical card’s arrival is a separate process—not what gives you that status.
Your Green Card follow-up date depends on whether the USCIS immigrant fee was paid before you entered, after you entered, or not yet.
Allow up to 90 days from your U.S. entry date for the Green Card; if it has not arrived by then, submit [USCIS’s online help form](https://my.uscis.gov/account/v1/needhelp). [USCIS delivery timeline](https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/expect-green-card); [USCIS fee guidance](https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee).
Allow up to 90 days from your payment date, not your SSN delivery or entry date. If the Green Card has not arrived after that period, use [USCIS’s online help form](https://my.uscis.gov/account/v1/needhelp). [USCIS delivery timeline](https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/expect-green-card); [USCIS fee guidance](https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee).
Pay the $235 USCIS immigrant fee [online](https://my.uscis.gov/accounts/uscis-immigrant-fee/start/overview) using your and . USCIS cannot process the physical card before payment; afterward, allow up to 90 days from payment. Not paying does not cancel the permanent resident status you received upon admission. [USCIS fee schedule](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055.pdf); [USCIS delivery timeline](https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/expect-green-card); [USCIS fee guidance](https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee).
Your SSN does not determine any of these clocks; “” ordinarily means your visa documents were available electronically. [SSA](https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf); [State Department](http://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM050410.html).
These steps let you identify the right number, establish your card-delivery clock, and act if the card does not arrive.
First
Write down your A-Number and DOS Case ID
Use “A” followed by the nine digits beside “Registration Number,” with no additional zero. For the separate DOS Case ID needed for fee payment, use the visa’s “IV Case Number” but omit its final two digits, such as 01 or 02. [USCIS number guide](https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee/immigrant-fee-payment-tips-on-finding-your-a-number-and-dos-case-id).
Requirements
Now, if payment is uncertain
Confirm payment or pay the $235 immigrant fee
Determine whether you or someone helping you already paid the USCIS immigrant fee and retain the payment date. If it is unpaid, pay $235 at https://my.uscis.gov/accounts/uscis-immigrant-fee/start/overview using the two identifiers; USCIS accepts a credit or debit card or U.S. bank-account payment. IR1 is not listed among USCIS’s fee exemptions. [USCIS fee instructions](https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee); [October 1, 2026 fee schedule](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055.pdf).
Requirements
Within 10 days of moving
Update USCIS if your mailing address changed
Use the USCIS address-change process at https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange; its online change-of-address option is in your USCIS account. USCIS mails the Green Card to the U.S. address provided at your visa interview or admission unless you update it. A change filed only with the postal service does not update USCIS. [USCIS address guidance](https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange); [USCIS immigrant-fee guidance](https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee).
Requirements
After the applicable 90 days
Track the card and request help if it is late
If you paid before entry, count 90 days from entry; if you paid after entry, count 90 days from payment. Track the Green Card at https://egov.uscis.gov/. If it has not arrived after the applicable period, submit USCIS’s help form at https://my.uscis.gov/account/v1/needhelp. Your SSN arrival does not shorten either period. [USCIS delivery timeline](https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/expect-green-card); [USCIS immigrant-fee guidance](https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee); [SSA](https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf).
Requirements
You are not the first to go through this. Here is how it went for others who asked the same thing.
u/KindMistake9692r/NationalVisaCenterJun 26, 2026
This answer uses USCIS immigrant-fee, delivery, identification and address instructions, the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual, and Social Security Administration guidance.
USCIS Immigrant Fee Payment: Tips on Finding Your A-Number and DOS Case ID
The nine-digit Registration Number on your visa is your A-Number; the extra-zero instruction is for shorter numbers.
Visa Stamp
Your A-Number is identified as the Registration Number on your visa stamp. If your A-Number is fewer than 9 digits, insert a zero after the “A” and before the first digit to create a 9-digit number.
USCIS Immigrant Fee Payment: Tips on Finding Your A-Number and DOS Case ID
The separate IV Case Number supplies the DOS Case ID for immigrant-fee payment, without its final two digits.
Visa Stamp
Your DOS Case ID is identified as the IV Case Number on your visa stamp. However, please note the IV Case Number has two additional numbers at the end, such as 01 or 02. When entering the IV Case Number as the DOS Case ID, do not include the last two numbers.
9 FAM 504.10-2(D)(7)
The notation on your visa identifies the electronic-document route.
9 FAM 504.10-2(D)(7)(b)
For electronic (MIV/PIVOT) cases, annotate the IV with "IV Docs in CCD." CBP officers will be able to view the case documents electronically upon the applicant's arrival at the POE.
9 FAM 504.10-2(D)(7)
Electronic cases ordinarily need no paper packet, subject to a specific paper-medical exception.
9 FAM 504.10-2(D)(7)(b)
No paper visa packet is required, except for MIV cases with paper medical forms for an applicant with a Class A or Class B condition (except Class B other).
SSA, Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens
SSA sends an SSN card requested through the immigrant visa application; that is a separate delivery from the USCIS Green Card.
Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens
In most cases, if you apply for an SSN with your immigrant visa application, you don’t have to visit a Social Security office in the United States. Your SSN card will be mailed to the address that you provide on your immigrant visa application.
Form G-1055 Fee Schedule
USCIS’s October 1, 2026 fee schedule sets the immigrant fee for an ordinary incoming permanent resident at $235.
USCIS Immigrant Fee table
USCIS Immigrant Fee If you are immigrating to the United States as a lawful permanent resident. $235
USCIS Immigrant Fee
Fee payment is necessary for physical Green Card issuance, even if you have already been admitted.
Who Needs to Pay the Fee
You will not receive your Green Card until you have paid the USCIS Immigrant Fee.
USCIS Immigrant Fee
An unpaid immigrant fee delays the card, not the permanent resident status obtained through admission.
If You Do Not Pay the Fee
If you do not pay the fee, it will not affect your status as a lawful permanent resident.
USCIS, When to Expect to Receive Your Green Card
If your fee was paid before admission, the usual outer delivery window runs from entry.
Fee paid before entry
It may take up to 90 days from the date you entered to receive your permanent resident card.
USCIS, When to Expect to Receive Your Green Card
If your fee was paid after admission, the usual outer delivery window runs from payment.
Fee paid after entry
It may take up to 90 days from the date you made your payment to receive your permanent resident card.
USCIS, When to Expect to Receive Your Green Card
The card cannot enter processing until the immigrant fee has been paid.
Fee not yet paid
You must pay the immigrant visa fee online before your permanent resident card can be processed.
USCIS Consular Processing
Admission by the border officer—not arrival of a mailed card—establishes your permanent resident status.
Entering the United States
If the CBP officer admits you, you will then have lawful permanent resident status and be able to live and work in the United States permanently.
USCIS Temporary I-551 Stamps and MRIVs
An endorsed immigrant visa in your passport can serve as temporary proof while the physical Green Card is pending.
Temporary I-551 Stamps and MRIVs
The employee’s foreign passport with the MRIV is evidence the employee has permanent residence status for 1 year from the date of admission.
USCIS How to Change Your Address
You must tell USCIS when you move, rather than relying on the address associated with your SSN.
How to Change Your Address
Additionally, all aliens in the United States must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving.
These are the official agency rules on the cited publication or update dates; rules and fees can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
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