US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reminded immigrants and visa holders in the United States that they must report a change of address within 10 days of moving, warning that failure to do so could result in missed immigration notices and documents. As per the agency, anyone with a pending immigration benefit request should notify USCIS of an address change as soon as possible to ensure they continue receiving correspondence and benefits without delays. The requirement applies to most foreign nationals in the United States, although A and G visa holders and visa waiver visitors are exempt.
USCIS warns of missed immigration documents
USCIS also clarified that changing the address within the United States Postal Service (USPS) only is not sufficient as USPS does not update the USCIS records automatically or forward the mail sent by the immigration agency. “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 on its website.As per the warning the applicants who fail to update their address with USCIS could miss out on the important notices, immigration documents or other benefit-related correspondence. USCIS also recommends updating the address information with both immigration agency and postal service.
Online filing encouraged
USCIS strongly encourages people to submit address changes through a USCIS online account as soon as they move. The agency says updating online satisfies the legal notification requirement, lets it process the change almost immediately, and removes the need to mail a paper Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card.People can use the self-service tool in their online account even if they originally filed their case by mail. Those with pending cases must enter the receipt number for each pending benefit request so the new address is applied correctly. Filing the paper Form AR-11 by mail also meets the legal requirement.
USPS change is not enough
The agency warns that changing an address with the U.S. Postal Service does not update it with USCIS, and USPS will not forward mail from USCIS. People must update both. USCIS recommends using the USPS ZIP Code lookup tool to enter a full address in the standard format.
Special cases
* Sponsors who are U.S. citizens, nationals or lawful permanent residents and have filed an affidavit of support must submit Form I-865 within 30 days of moving.* Citizens with pending or approved orphan or Hague adoption cases must treat a move as a significant household change and follow separate reporting procedures. Failing to report promptly could delay or negatively affect the adoption.* Applicants in VAWA, T and U visa cases, and those seeking Form I-751 abuse waivers, follow special procedures.* Attorneys, accredited representatives and civil surgeons have their own update processes.* If an approval notice says a petition was forwarded to the State Department’s National Visa Center, applicants must also contact that office.* Petitioners whose beneficiary moves should contact the USCIS Contact Center or the office handling the case.