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US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reminded immigrants and visa holders in the United States that they must report any change of address within 10 days of moving.
The agency warned that failing to update the address could result in applicants missing important immigration notices, documents or benefit-related correspondence.
USCIS said anyone with a pending immigration benefit request should update their address as soon as possible after moving to ensure there are no delays in receiving official communication.
The requirement applies to most foreign nationals in the United States. However, certain categories, including A and G visa holders and visitors admitted under the Visa Waiver Program, are exempt.
USPS Address Change Is Not Enough
USCIS has also clarified that changing an address with the United States Postal Service (USPS) alone is not sufficient.
“Changing your address with the US Postal Service (USPS) will not change your address with USCIS and USPS will not forward your mail from USCIS,” the agency said.
This means applicants must update their address separately with USCIS even if they have already submitted a change of address with USPS.
Failure to do so could result in missed appointment notices, approval notices, immigration documents or other important correspondence.
USCIS Encourages Online Updates
The agency strongly recommends using a USCIS online account to report an address change.
Updating the address online satisfies the legal reporting requirement and allows USCIS to process the change quickly. It also eliminates the need to mail Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card.
Even applicants who originally filed their immigration cases by mail can use the online self-service address change tool.
Those with pending cases should provide the receipt number for each pending application or petition so that the new address is correctly linked to all active cases.
Applicants can also continue to file Form AR-11 by mail if they prefer.
Special Rules for Certain Categories
Some applicants and sponsors are subject to separate procedures.
US citizens, nationals and lawful permanent residents who have submitted an affidavit of support must file Form I-865 within 30 days of moving.
People with pending or approved orphan or Hague adoption cases must also report changes in their household circumstances under separate procedures, as failure to do so could delay or affect the adoption process.
Applicants in VAWA, T visa and U visa cases, as well as those seeking certain Form I-751 abuse waivers, must follow special address-change procedures.
Attorneys, accredited representatives and civil surgeons also have separate processes for updating their addresses.
Applicants whose approval notices state that their cases have been forwarded to the State Department’s National Visa Center should also update their address with that office.
USCIS further advises petitioners to contact the USCIS Contact Center or the office handling the case if the beneficiary of a petition changes address.
The key message from USCIS is simple: updating your address with USPS is not enough. Immigrants and visa holders must also update their records directly with USCIS to avoid missing critical immigration documents.
This is true. But historically no one cared about changing address with USCIS by filing the AR-11 form with change of address. I always submitted AR-11 as soon as I move from one apt to another or once city to another for over 25 years. This is saved me from many queries.
As Dee Kay said it’s not a new rule, but no one cared until now. I know people who made fun of American laws saying ‘evedem pikaledu’, ‘ivanni manaki kaadamma’ etc. Now same people are crying as they haven’t got their GC yet and scared to go to India even to visit their parents or other relations .. lol.