As a foreigner in the US, did you know that you need to update USCIS regarding your address change within 10 days of your move? If you are unsure of the process and requirements around it, read along.
In this article, we will look at the importance of address change with USCIS, how to do it using AR-11 form or Online using USCIS Online account, common FAQs like what happens if you forgot to do it, others.
Background: Regulation on Address Change Notification
If you are a non-US citizen, according to Section 265 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), you are legally mandated to update USCIS with any change of address within 10 days of your move. Below is the screenshot of the actual regulation.
Below is the screenshot of the guidance given by USCIS on their website stating that everyone should update their address with USCIS within 10 days.
If you do not report the address change with USCIS, it may be punishable by either a fine or imprisonment and/or removal from America. See the below screenshot of the condition taken from the AR-11 form.
Who all should update USCIS regarding address change?
- Non-US Citizens on Visa: All non-US Citizens, who are present in the US for more than 29 days on a temporary visa type are bound to comply with this requirement to update USCIS with the address change. It includes all visa holders such as H1B, L1, F1, other visa types, unless your visa type is exempt.
- Permanent Residents or Green Card Holders: All Green Card holders are required to update their address with USCIS
- US Citizens: Certain US Citizens who have filed form I-864, which is an Affidavit of support for a foreign national, need to update USCIS on their address.
If you are an international student on F1 Visa, you would have been advised by the DSO or international advisor regarding this at the student orientation to update the school/DSO and USCIS regarding the change of address. It is your legal responsibility to update the address change information for USCIS so that the same information is relayed to DHS.
Who is exempted from notifying USCIS on Address change?
Below is the list of people who are exempted from notifying USCIS on their address change in the US:
- Diplomats (who are on A Visa)
- Official Gov. Reps to International Orgs ( G Visa)
- Certain non-immigrants without a visa and who stay under 30 days in the USA.
If you are not from the above three categories, you must report the change to USCIS.
How to Notify USCIS regarding the Change of Address ?
There are a few options, as listed below, to notify USCIS regarding your address change:
- You can fill out the form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card and then physically mailing the AR-11 form
- Update Online on USCIS website by using your USCIS Online Account.
Option 1: Fill out AR-11 Form, Mail it
- Download the AR-11 Form from the USCIS website
- Complete it with your current address info, including previous address info.
- Please ensure you sign the form; if not, USCIS will reject the form.
- Mail it to the address on the form, which is listed below
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: Change of Address
1344 Pleasants Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Option 2: Update Address on USCIS.gov website
Updating your address online on the USCIS website is the most straightforward and handy way. In general, most of the non-US Citizens in the US can use it, except for a few people like civil surgeons, victims of domestic violence, etc. The form will tell you, before you start filling it out.
Below are the steps to update address on USCIS.gov website.
- Navigate to USCIS.gov web page: https://my.uscis.gov/
- You may get an option to select few tiles, you must select Go to myUSCIS as shown in below screenshot
3. Once you are in the dashboard, go to the menu “My Account” and select “Change your address”. See the below screenshot on how it looks.
4. Follow the instructions on the page and fill out the details of your current address and enter your current pending case information or previous case Information (USCIS Receipt Number).
5. Complete the form, That’s it ! You maybe able to save a PDF copy for records
H1B Visa Holders must notify USCIS on Change of Address
If you are in the US on a work visa such as an H1B Visa, you are required to update USCIS regarding the change of address within 10 days. Usually, if you are working as a consultant, you maybe moving places due to change in project location and often your address changes. In all these scenarios, you must update USCIS regarding the same.
If you change employers on H1B and relocate to a new location, you must update USCIS regarding the new address, where you will reside. It is mandatory for H1B Visa holders to use AR-11 form to update their address or use the online option on USCIS website to update the address.
You should also inform your attorney regarding the change in address as well, so that they have your latest information and use the same in the future, when they work with USCIS for any other forms.
F1 Students Requirements to inform USCIS on Address Change
If you are an international student on F1 Visa in the US, make sure you send the address update AR-11 form copy to your DSO, so that they have it updated on their records in SEVIS as well. Typically, you can go to the Internationals students services office and inform them on the AR 11 form, so that SEVIS records are updated as well.
If you are using the online option on USCIS website, make sure you inform your DSO on the same and share the details with them as well. They need to keep it up to date on SEVIS System as well.
Penalty for not notifying USCIS on Address Change?
Well, mistakes happen and you should do it immediately, if you have forgotten. But, as per the regulation (see below), USCIS can fine you for up to $200 and put you in jail for under 30 days. Also, you may be put on removal proceedings, if they want to.
But, in reality, getting deported or going to jail are not seen very often as there are far more bigger issues to deal with. To avoid any issues, file AR-11 on time, if you realized you have not updated the same for a while, work with an attorney and take care of the same. Check Official Reference and screenshot below.
You need to file an AR-11 form with USCIS, within 10 days of your move to a new address.
Yes, you need to file AR 11 to update USCIS. It is mandatory as per regulation.
Yes, you need to file AR-11 to update USCIS regarding your address change. It is mandatory
You should file AR-11 immediately and not delay it. Delay can lead to bigger issues.
Did you recently move? What was your experience with AR-11 form ? How was your experience filing the online form? Share your experiences in comments section below.
How to change the address of an I-130 applicant who does not live in the US. Address change of the applicant is from a city in UAE to another city in UAE. AR-11 form has only US address fields-you have add a US state and zip code to submit so I am not able to use this form.
I don’t have a pending application with the government. I am on H1-B visa. My attorney says I don’t need to mail the physical form since I filed it electronically. The confirmation form asks me to mail the document. Shall I mail it?
I am on h1b and changed my residential address using form 11 and got a request confirmation mail.
can I travel to India and come back while this is in progress?
Do we still have to file AR-11 as a F1 student? Based on my research, in the past, on I20, it states the following:
“Notice of Address. If you move, you must submit a notice within 10
days of the change of address to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. ( Form AR-11 is available at any INS office. )”
However, the recently issued I-20 states:
“Notice of Address. When you arrive in the United States, you must report your U.S. address to your DSO. If you move, you must notify your DSO of your new address within 10 days of the change of address. The DSO will update SEVIS with your new address.”
In addition, on the ”
Change of Mailing Address Requirements” page of International Scholars Office at MIT, it suggests that only “Individuals in other visa statuses (e.g. H-1B, H-4, TN, TD, O-1, O-3, B-1, or WB)” need to file AR-11.
On the “UPDATING YOUR ADDRESS” page of International Student & Scholar Services at UIUC, it also suggests that only “If you are a student and are NOT in J-1 or F-1 status, you must report address changes by sending form AR-11 to USCIS”.
I am wondering whether the rules have been changed or not? Perhaps we only need to report the address change to our school, who would update it through SEVIS?
Wordering,
Well, the requirement has not changed. Usually, if you update DSO, they will do it for you…I suggest you check with DSO on this…Also, frankly, it does not hurt for you to update the same online too…
If you updated your sevis address through your university (which is supposed to update it with the Department of Homeland Security), are you still required to submit the AR11 form?
Rafael,
DHS is different from USCIS. You should still update the AR-11 form yourself and keep a copy of the notification for future reference.
This electronic form does not accept foreign addresses … (you need to select the state, that is not the case overseas). The only way for those coming to US (and having previous address overseas) is to mail a regular form. Disappointing ….
Rafal Wawrzykowski,
After you land in US, you would be staying at a location. You have to mention that address. If it is a temporary location, then submit it for the time being and then update it when you change residence.
Greetings: does this change of address applies to Primary applicant or we need to file individual form for every dependent?
thanks
I stayed at a hostel for the first 10 days before I could work, and now I’m staying at different hotels since I won’t get access to my apartment until end of October. I’m thinking of updating my address to my work place, is this a good idea?