Form AR-11 guide: Alien's Change of Address Card
Form AR-11's official name is the Alien's Change of Address Card, and it is handled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). According to USCIS, all non-U.S. citizens in the United States must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. The AR-11 is one way to report it, and USCIS encourages people to do it through their online account.
Reporting an address may seem minor, but it directly affects whether you receive important documents such as receipts, biometrics appointment notices, requests for evidence (RFEs), interview notices and your green card. Many cases are delayed or even denied simply because the applicant moved, did not update the address in time, and missed mail from USCIS. The duty applies to people in the United States with a green card or any visa or status, and to people with pending cases; it is an obligation that runs through the entire immigration process.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card |
| Agency | USCIS |
| Who reports | Non-U.S. citizens in the United States (green card holders and most nonimmigrants must report); USCIS says A and G visa holders and Visa Waiver Program visitors are not subject to this requirement |
| When to report | Within 10 days of moving |
| Online filing? | Yes. Most people can use the change of address function in their USCIS online account; after changing it online, do not also mail a paper AR-11 |
| Fee | Per the official USCIS fee schedule |
| Related forms | EOIR-33 (immigration court cases), I-865 (affidavit of support sponsors), G-28 (attorney's address) |
| Official pages | uscis.gov/ar-11, USCIS change of address information |
Who must report
- Permanent residents (green card holders), including conditional residents;
- People in the United States in any nonimmigrant status, such as F-1 students, H-1B, L-1, E-2 and O-1 holders, and their dependents;
- People with pending immigration applications, such as applicants for the I-485, I-765, I-131, I-751 or N-400;
- Children under 14: they must also report; a parent or legal guardian is responsible for doing so, following USCIS instructions.
Under current USCIS guidance, the following people are not subject to this reporting requirement: A (diplomatic) and G (international organization) visa holders, and visitors admitted under the Visa Waiver Program. U.S. citizens, of course, do not need to report.
Legal basis and consequences of not reporting
- INA 265 (8 U.S.C. 1305): aliens required to register must give written notice of a change of address within 10 days.
- 8 CFR 265.1: aliens required to register under INA 262 must report each change of address within 10 days as USCIS instructs.
- INA 266(b) (8 U.S.C. 1306(b)): failing to give written notice of a change of address as required is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine or short-term imprisonment, and, unless the person can show the failure was reasonably excusable or not willful, may lead to detention and removal.
In practice, the more common risk is missing important notices: for example, not receiving a request for evidence and failing to respond on time, or missing an interview or biometrics appointment, which can cause a case to be denied or treated as abandoned. For people with cases in immigration court, missing a hearing because the hearing notice never arrived can have very serious consequences.
In addition, since 2025 the Department of Homeland Security has stepped up enforcement of alien registration requirements: people who have not registered must do so under the new rules, and registered adults should be aware of obligations such as carrying proof of registration. These rules have changed considerably in recent years; check current USCIS guidance.
How to report: online and on paper
Online (recommended by USCIS)
- Log in to (or create) your USCIS online account and find the Change of Address function.
- Enter your new address.
- Enter the receipt number of each pending case, one by one. USCIS explains that the address change applies only to cases whose receipt numbers you enter. Even cases originally filed on paper can be updated online.
- After submitting, save the confirmation page or a screenshot as proof that you reported.
According to USCIS, changing your address online satisfies the legal reporting requirement. After changing it online, do not also mail a paper AR-11.
Paper AR-11
- You can also mail a paper AR-11, which likewise satisfies the legal requirement, but USCIS encourages doing it online.
- The AR-11 has its own dedicated mailing address, used only for the AR-11; other applications and fees cannot be sent to that address.
- The paper form must be signed; unsigned forms will be rejected or delayed.
- The USCIS page advises reading the "Change of Address Information" page before downloading the AR-11; in some situations you must call the USCIS Contact Center.
- Download the current edition from the USCIS website before filing.
Postal forwarding does not replace reporting
USCIS is clear: a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) does not update your address with USCIS, and USPS will not forward USCIS mail. You must update both separately.
Effect on pending cases
- If you have a pending case, update promptly, and make sure every receipt number is linked to the new address. USCIS says people with pending applications should notify it as soon as possible to avoid missing mail and delays in delivery.
- Physical cards such as green cards and work permits: if a card is about to be mailed and your address has not been updated in time, the card may go to your old address or be returned. Dealing with a returned or lost card afterward is troublesome and may require a separate application for a replacement.
- Interviews and biometrics: a change of address may change which USCIS field office has jurisdiction; cases are sometimes transferred, and interview scheduling may change accordingly.
- If a lawyer represents you: the lawyer's address is recorded on the G-28, but that does not replace reporting your own address; both you and your lawyer should have your current address.
- Beneficiaries in consular processing: people outside the United States applying for an immigrant visa must also update their address and contact information with the Department of State's NVC (see DS-260).
For how to check case status, see How to check your USCIS case status.
Special situations: different agencies, different forms
| Situation | How to report | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Non-U.S. citizens generally | USCIS online change of address or AR-11 | Within 10 days of moving |
| People with a case in immigration court | File an EOIR-33 with the immigration court (and also report to USCIS) | Within 5 days of the change of address, under 8 CFR 1003.15(d)(2) |
| Sponsors who signed an I-864 affidavit of support (U.S. citizens, nationals or green card holders) | I-865 | Within 30 days of moving |
| VAWA, T and U visa cases, I-751 battered spouse waivers and similar cases | Follow USCIS's dedicated procedures, which protect the applicant's safety | Per USCIS's specific instructions |
| Attorneys or accredited representatives | Update as described in the G-28 instructions | — |
FAQ
I only changed units in the same building. Do I still need to report?
Yes. Any change of address (including the apartment number) can cause mail delivery to fail, so we recommend reporting within 10 days as well.
I am the spouse of a U.S. citizen and my green card is still pending. What should I do when I move?
You must report online within 10 days and link the receipt numbers of all pending cases, such as the I-485, I-765 and I-131, to the new address. Your U.S. citizen spouse, as the I-864 sponsor, must file an I-865 within 30 days as required.
I'm an F-1 student who moved. Is telling my school enough?
F-1 students must report their address to the school's designated school official (DSO) as the school and SEVIS require; this is a requirement of student status. That is a different obligation from reporting your address to USCIS, and if you have a pending USCIS application, you must still update USCIS. Follow your school's international student office and current USCIS guidance.
What if I forgot to report within 10 days?
Report as soon as possible. The law sets penalties for failing to report, but it also allows you to show the failure was reasonably excusable or not willful. Keep the confirmation after you report. If you have pending cases, also check whether you have missed any USCIS mail.
I'm temporarily abroad. Do I need to change my U.S. address?
This obligation concerns changes to your residential address inside the United States. If you have pending cases while abroad, make sure USCIS has an address where mail will reliably reach you so you don't miss notices. You can consult a lawyer about the specific arrangements.
Official sources
- USCIS: Form AR-11 page
- USCIS: Change of Address Information
- 8 U.S.C. 1305 (INA 265), 8 U.S.C. 1306 (INA 266)
- 8 CFR Part 265
- 8 CFR 1003.15 (immigration court change of address)
Related reading
- How to check your USCIS case status
- I-485 adjustment of status guide
- Form G-1145 e-notification of application acceptance
Worried that you missed USCIS mail after moving, or that your case has been delayed by an address problem? Book an attorney review, and we will help you check your case records and explain the options for fixing it.
This article is general information and is not legal advice. Laws and policies can change; rely on the latest official information and on an attorney's advice for your specific situation.