USCIS says that all aliens in the United States must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. If you have a pending benefit request, USCIS also says you must notify it of changes as soon as possible. USCIS strongly encourages using its online change of address tool, and it says that changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will not change it with USCIS. This guide walks through what the official pages say and who follows different procedures.
The legal requirement
The USCIS address change page states: "all aliens in the United States must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving." The AR-11 page repeats the 10-day rule and says it does not apply to A and G visa holders and visa waiver visitors.
For people with a case in progress there is a second statement. USCIS says that if you have filed an immigration benefit request, "you must notify us of any changes of address as soon as possible." The pages do not describe a separate step for pending cases beyond these two statements, so the practical path is to update your address with USCIS the way the official pages describe, and to do it promptly after you move.
Two ways to report: online account or Form AR-11
USCIS says filing online is the preferred method. It strongly encourages people to use the self-service change of address tool in a USCIS online account. If you have a pending, approved, or previously filed case with USCIS, USCIS says you may change your address through your online account, even if you originally filed by mail.
The paper option is Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card, which you mail. USCIS says a paper AR-11 meets the legal requirement. It also notes that filing a paper AR-11 "does not provide an automated update to your address in USCIS systems," which is why it strongly encourages the online tool instead.
| Method | What USCIS says |
|---|---|
| Online account | Preferred method. Works for pending, approved, or previously filed cases, even if you filed by mail. |
| Paper Form AR-11 | Meets the legal requirement, but does not automatically update USCIS systems. |
Why a USPS change is not enough
USCIS is direct about this: "Changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will not change your address with USCIS." It adds that "USPS will not forward your mail from USCIS," so you must update both agencies. Updating only one of the two leaves the other agency with your old address.
That is why changing the address with USCIS matters to anyone waiting on a card or a notice. To see how returned mail shows up in a case, read our explanation of the notice was returned status and the card was returned status.
Special groups follow other procedures
USCIS says that "certain populations may need to follow other program-specific procedures to change their address." The address change page lists separate procedures for:
- adoption cases
- attorneys and accredited representatives
- civil surgeons
- petitioners with cases at the Department of State
- beneficiaries who move
- sponsors who submitted an affidavit of support on Form I-865
- victims of domestic violence, trafficking, or other crimes (VAWA, T, and U cases, and I-751 abuse waivers)
If one of those describes you, open the USCIS address change page and follow the instructions listed for your group rather than the general steps above.
What to have ready
USCIS says that for pending cases you must enter the receipt number for each case when you use the online tool, and that the tool updates only the cases whose receipt numbers you enter. If you have more than one pending case, list each one. The official tool shows the other fields it needs. Treat your receipt number as sensitive, and do not post it publicly.
A short sequence based on the official pages
- Report the move to USCIS within 10 days, as the address change page states.
- Use your USCIS online account if you can (enter the receipt number of each pending case), since USCIS calls it the preferred method and says it works for pending cases even if you filed by paper.
- If you use a paper Form AR-11 instead, know that it meets the legal requirement but does not give an automated update to USCIS systems.
- Change your address with the Postal Service as well, because USCIS says the two are separate and USPS will not forward USCIS mail.
- If you belong to one of the special groups, follow the procedure listed for that group.
None of this is individual advice. If you are unsure which procedure covers you, a licensed immigration attorney can tell you.
Common questions
How many days do I have to report a move?
USCIS says within 10 days of moving. It also says that if you have a pending benefit request you must notify it of changes as soon as possible.
Is a USPS forwarding request enough?
No. USCIS says changing your address with USPS will not change it with USCIS, and that USPS will not forward your mail from USCIS.
Can I change the address on a case I mailed in on paper?
USCIS says that if you have a pending, approved, or previously filed case, you may change your address through your online account, even if you originally filed by mail.
Does mailing an AR-11 update my pending case right away?
USCIS says a paper AR-11 meets the legal requirement but does not provide an automated update to its systems, and it strongly encourages the online tool.
Does the 10-day rule apply to everyone?
The AR-11 page says it does not apply to A and G visa holders and visa waiver visitors. If your situation is unusual, ask a licensed immigration attorney.
Official sources
GreenLight is not affiliated with USCIS or the U.S. government. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.