Changing Your Address?

The Who, What, Where, When, and Why of Notifying the Immigration Agency

Are you moving soon?  Did you move recently?   If you are a foreign national living in the United States, or if you are a U.S. citizen with a pending immigration petition, it is necessary to file certain forms with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).   Find out the specifics of these requirements below.

Who?

U.S. citizens who have a pending immigration petition must notify the USCIS of any change in address.

All foreign nationals present within the United States (except for a few minor exceptions like foreign diplomats) must notify the USCIS of any change in address.  The notification is required even if the foreign national does not currently have a petition pending before the USCIS.

What?

U.S. citizens with a pending immigration petition may notify the USCIS by submitting an electronic change of address form on the USCIS website.

Foreign nationals must submit a Form AR-11 to USCIS whenever they change address.  Additionally, foreign nationals with pending immigration petitions must complete an electronic change of address form on the USCIS website.

Where?

Both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals may find the required change of address and AR-11 forms at this USCIS web page.

When?

The immigration agency (USCIS) must be notified within ten (10) days of changing address.

Why?

First, the obvious: if you currently have a petition before the immigration agency it is necessary to notify USCIS so that the agency knows where to mail their decision concerning your petition.

Additionally, willful failure to give written notice to the immigration agency of a change of address within 10 days of the change is considered a misdemeanor crime.  If convicted, a foreign national can be fined up to $200 or imprisoned up to 30 days, or both.  Additionally, a foreign national may face removal from the the United States and have difficulty obtaining future immigration benefits.