A reader asked a question about Class of Admission while filling out Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. I did a little Googling and apparently many people are confused by the term USCIS used, especially if they entered the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa which also belongs to a certain class of admission.
For I-90, question 12 is asking for the class of admission with regard to your permanent residency. It is a three-letter code representing the immigrant category under which you became a permanent resident. If you have a newer version, you can find the code on the front side of your green card right under “Category.” It usually starts with a letter, then either a letter or number, and ends with a number. For example, RE8 would be the class of admission for the green card holder shown in the image below.
If you have an older green card, the category code may be under or next to Class or some other names. Its location on the card has also changed over time.
If you lost your green card and can’t find a copy, I guess you can put down “unknown” for class of admission. Hopefully USCIS will be able to process your request with other information you provided. Don’t write H-1B, EB2 or stuff like that.
Below is the official Form I-90 instructions for question #12:
12. Class of Admission – List the three letter code for the immigrant category under which you were granted permanent resident or conditional permanent resident status. This code can be found on your card, and it is typically one or two letters followed by a number.
May 9, 2011:
Update 1: What is Class of Admission on Form I-131
Update 2: Class of Admission Codes (82 page PDF, if you are interested)
Thank you very much. Excellent explanation!
Where is the code on the older cards? I have one that was issued in 1968. There are two numbers at the bottom left on the front of the card. I was wondering if that was it.
Honestly, I have never seen a green card issued in 1968! Is any of the two numbers next to the word “Class” by any chance? That should be it. If you just can’t figure it out, I personally don’t think it would a big deal since you are going to attach a copy of your GC anyway.
this blog is very helpful
Thank you it was really helfull
CALSS OF ADDMISSION & CATAGORY ( RE8 ) AS ENCIRCLED ABOVE
ARE SAME NO I DONOT THINK SO
[...] have talked about Class of Admission on Form I-90, so in this post we’ll discuss Form I-131, Application for Travel [...]
All the classes are here:-
http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/AFM/HTML/AFM/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-26573/0-0-0-32054.html
I had no Idea what it meant. Thank you very much. Very helpful.
Very helpful.Thank you very much.
Thank youi for the explanation and the link to the classes – this was very helpful!
Thank you so much !! You made this easy for us
Thank you very much.It;s Very helpful
Excellent explanation!
Also would like to thank Robfor the list of code he provide. (although I still couldn’t figure it out due to lack of information :p)
Thanks to both of you. I really appraciated.
Thanks, this helped out a lot. Keep up the great work!
thanks to all above for the clarification , as to what class of admission means. yeah finally after over 30 yrs. i got it, lol, and know what the code actl. means. very helpful!!thanks again
Just want to say thanks for making it easy for us.
Thank you for help us weave thru the maze of immigration forms!
Great I wrote the wrong thing now what?
I like this explanation, good job and God bless you
I have a green card that expired 08-2012 and I cant find the number of CLASS OF ADMISSION. Can you tell me please where I can find these number or code. My green card is totally diferent than the one in the picture you showing in this ebsite. Thank you.
It sounds like your green card is the “white” version (since it is expiring in Aug. 2012 it was likely issued in 2002). If this is the case the class of admission should be under “Category,” right next to “Birthdate.”
what is the admission date or where do I find it on a green card?
Not sure what you meant by admission date, but there is a “Resident Since” date on the green card.
Re: Franklyn
“Resident Since” is the same as “Admission Date”
I want to thank this blog for providing the info I was looking for. “Categoy Type”.
This website has a list of all codes and the meaning behind each one
http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/AFM/HTML/AFM/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-26573/0-0-0-32054.html
THANK YOU!