If you are a non-citizen living in the United States, you generally must inform U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of an address change. In fact, certain U.S. citizens should also submit a USCIS change of address form when they are involved with an active immigration case. It’s easy, and it’s free. So, there really is no reason not to keep your address up-to-date.
Table of ContentsYou are not required to seek approval for a change in residence. You’re free to move to a different home while in the United States as a permanent resident or any other immigration status. But it is necessary to inform USCIS of your new location. Only the following types of non-citizens are not required to submit a USCIS change-of-address notification:
Submitting a USCIS change of address form is essential to make sure the immigration agency has your contact information for communication and because it’s the law.
USCIS may need to contact you regarding a pending application or important information regarding your status. For example, if you have a pending green card application, USCIS may deny the case if they don’t get a response to mailed communications. They will not call you to find out why you’re not responding.
What’s more, the obligation to provide a current address is law. For non-citizens, willfully failing to give USCIS your new address is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $200 and up to 30 days in jail. In fact, the government can even deport a permanent resident for failing to provide USCIS a new address, unless the green card holder can prove that: (1) the failure to report a change of address was “reasonably excusable” or (2) the failure was not “willful.” While it is rare that the government enforces this, it’s always best to be on the right side of the law.
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Foreign nationals in the United States should notify USCIS of an address change within 10 days of the change. That means you should submit your address change no more than 10 days after moving to your new address.
You may notify USCIS using Form AR-11 (Alien’s Change of Address). Submit the form electronically or by mail.
However, now most individuals with a USCIS online account may use the USCIS E-COA (Enterprise Change of Address) to update their mailing and physical address with USCIS for pending applications, petitions, or requests in a single place. If you use the electronic system, you will not need to submit Form AR-11, visit an office or call the USCIS contact center. E-COA will automate address changes for almost all form types (the exceptions are listed at uscis.gov/addresschange). Before getting started, you’ll need to have your new address, old address, A-number (if applicable), and an email address. If you have any pending forms, you will also need the receipt number from each case.
If you file through the USCIS website, you’ll be able to fulfill your obligation and update any pending applications or petitions at the same time. Be sure to list the receipt number for every form that’s pending. For example, a green card applicant may need to submit a USCIS change of address for I-485, I-130, I-864, I-765 and I-131. If the petitioner has a new address, they would only need to submit an address change for the I-130. However, if there are multiple intending immigrants, the petitioner should be sure to list each I-130 receipt number.
Use your USCIS online account if you already have an account number. This is optimal if you have a pending form with USCIS. Anyone else can use the online Change of Address.
