How to Change Your Address - USCIS (.gov)

Key Takeaways

• Most non-U.S. citizens must report a new U.S. address to USCIS within 10 days; there’s no fee to do so.
• Use a USCIS online account or the online AR-11 tool to update both your address and any pending case records.
• Confidentiality-protected categories (VAWA self-petitioners, and many T and U applicants) have separate, safer update procedures.
• If you have an immigration-court case, you must also notify EOIR separately using Form EOIR-33.
• Affidavit of Support sponsors must file Form I-865 within 30 days to update their address.

What USCIS requires

USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) is reminding applicants and petitioners that federal law requires most non-U.S. citizens to report a change of address within 10 days of moving. This duty applies broadly, including to lawful permanent residents (green card holders). While U.S. citizens are not generally required to file an AR-11, anyone with a pending USCIS application or petition should still update their mailing address to avoid missed notices. USPS mail forwarding is not a substitute—USCIS correspondence may not forward, and missing a notice can lead to delays or denials.

How to change your address

USCIS directs people to update online whenever possible. If you filed online or have linked your receipt numbers, you can log in to your USCIS online account and submit an address change that applies to each pending case. Alternatively, use the online Change of Address tool (which records the AR-11, the Alien’s Change of Address Card) and update all pending receipt numbers at the same time. Paper filing by mail with Form AR-11 remains available, but online updates are faster and create immediate confirmation. There is no fee.

Special situations and separate obligations

Certain categories—such as VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) self-petitioners and many T (trafficking) and U (crime victim) visa applicants—have confidentiality protections. USCIS instructs these applicants not to use the standard online change-of-address tool and instead to follow the specific, privacy-protective procedures described on its site. If you have a case in immigration court, you must also notify EOIR (Executive Office for Immigration Review) directly using Form EOIR-33; updating USCIS alone is not enough. Additionally, anyone who signed an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) must report their own address changes to USCIS within 30 days by filing Form I-865.

Why this matters now

For people with pending cases—from work permits to green cards to naturalization—keeping USCIS updated prevents lost biometrics notices, Requests for Evidence, and interview letters. Moves can also shift jurisdiction to a different USCIS field office, which may reschedule interviews and affect timing. The practical advice: update promptly, include every pending receipt number, save your confirmation, and, if represented, tell your attorney so their G-28 contact info aligns with your new address.

Source: Original Article