How to Change Your Address with USCIS
Key Takeaways
- Non-U.S. citizens must report a change of address to USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) within 10 days of moving.
- File Form AR-11 (Alien’s Change of Address Card) online or by mail, and separately update the address for each pending application or petition.
- There is no fee to update your address with USCIS, but failing to do so can lead to missed notices, delayed benefits, or other adverse immigration outcomes.
- Use the USCIS online Change of Address tool for faster confirmation; also update any attorney or accredited representative on file.
Overview
USCIS requires most noncitizens — including nonimmigrants (students, workers on H visas, visitors), lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and people with pending immigration applications — to notify the agency of a change of address within 10 days. USCIS is the federal agency that handles immigration benefits and case notices. The standard form for this is Form AR-11 (Alien’s Change of Address Card), which can be submitted online through USCIS’s Change of Address tool or by mail; there is no government fee for filing an address change.
Who must update and how
Important: submitting an AR-11 is not always enough by itself. If you have any pending form or petition (for example, Form I-485 for adjustment of status, Form I-765 for an employment authorization document, or Form I-131 for travel documents), you must also update the address associated with each pending case using the USCIS Change of Address tool or through your USCIS online account. If you have an attorney or accredited representative on record, update USCIS so communications continue to reach your representative. USCIS typically issues an online confirmation when you update your address, though it may take additional days for the change to be fully reflected in case files.
Practical impact and tips
For people navigating the immigration system, the consequences of not updating an address are concrete: missed biometrics appointments, interview notices, or delivery of EADs and green cards can lead to delays or denials. Practical steps: submit AR-11 online right away; update each pending case; set up U.S. Postal Service mail forwarding; and confirm your address in any online USCIS accounts. If you are in removal proceedings, have interactions with other agencies, or receive notices from immigration courts, check whether separate notice requirements apply. When in doubt, consult an immigration attorney or accredited representative — but remember the reporting obligation remains yours.
Source: Original Article