Last updated on March 13th, 2024 at 03:23 pm
Getting a green card—the final step to permanent residency in the U.S.—can feel like the end of your immigration journey. But until you become a U.S. citizen, or leave the country permanently, whenever you move to a new residence, you will need to inform USCIS about the change of address for your green card.
Here’s everything you need to know to make an address change for your green card, including who needs to update their address, how to do it, and what could happen if you don’t inform USCIS about your new location.
Do I need to report my change of address to USCIS?
If you live in the U.S. on an immigrant visa, you need to inform the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if you move to a new home. Changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service will not update your address with USCIS. You will have to do this separately.
Anyone living or working in the U.S. who is a non-U.S. citizen needs to update their address with USCIS whenever they move, including lawful permanent residents (green card holders), individuals with student visas, and those on temporary work visas.
However, the rule does not apply to non-immigrants on temporary visas, such as tourists who are in the country as part of the Visa Waiver Program. A few other visas are exempt as well, including A visa holders (diplomats) and G visa holders (official government representatives working at international organizations within the U.S.).
You only need to report a change of address if this is a permanent move. If you are staying somewhere else for a few months, but you plan to return to your current address, you don’t need to alert USCIS.
It’s important to notify the USCIS within 10 days of your move. If USCIS doesn’t have your correct address, you could miss out on important letters about your immigration status. Aside from receiving letters, keeping your address current is one of the conditions of your visa.
If you are a U.S. citizen sponsoring a foreign national, and you have submitted a letter of support (known as an Affidavit of Support), you should let USCIS know your new address within 30 days of moving, for as long as the Affidavit of Support is enforceable. As a sponsor, you could be fined if you are found to have moved without letting the USCIS know within the time frame.
How do I report a change of address for my green card?
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to report your change of address. There are three different ways to change your address. The option you choose will depend on how far along you are into the immigration process and the type of form you’ve filed.
Use your USCIS online account
If you have a USCIS online account, you can simply update your details there with the online form. If you filed your case online, you already have an account.
If you filed a paper application and your receipt number ends in IOE, you can create an account, request an online access code, use the code to link your paper file with your new online account, then update your address.
Fill out a change of address form online
No online account? No problem. You can still file a change of address online on the USCIS website via the alien’s change of address card, known as form AR-11. There are two different versions of the online form: one for pending applications and for those who have not yet received their green card and one for those who have received their green card.
If your case is pending or you have yet to receive your card, you will answer “yes” at the bottom of the online filing page where it asks, “Have you filed an immigration-related application or petition and your case is pending a decision or you have not received a notice, card, or document?”
To fill out this form, you will need the following information:
- Your case details, including your form number, your form sub type, your receipt number, and the ZIP code you used when you filed
- Your name and date of birth
- Your old address and your new address
- A valid email address
If you already have your green card, you can answer “no” to the question, “Have you filed an immigration-related application or petition and your case is pending a decision or you have not received a notice, card, or document?”
To fill out this form, you will need the following information:
- Your name and date of birth
- Your old address and your new address
- A valid email address
Mail a paper AR-11 form
The USCIS recommends using an online method of changing your address if possible. But if you prefer to mail a paper form, you can. In addition, if you’ve filed for immigration as a victim of domestic violence, trafficking, or other crimes or if you’ve filed an abuse waiver, you will need to use the paper form and send it to a specific address.
If you simply prefer to print out and mail the paper form, download the AR-11 form, fill it out, and then send it to the following address:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: Change of Address
1344 Pleasants Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
To fill out this form, you will need the following information:
- Your name and date of birth
- Your new address
While you need the same information to fill out the paper form, there are different instructions for victims of domestic violence, trafficking, or other crimes. This includes anyone who has filed one of the following forms:
- I-360
- I-485
- I-765 or I-765V
- I-914 or I-914, Supplement A
- I-918 or I-918, Supplement A
- I-929
In these cases, once you print the AR-11 form and fill out, you will mail it to the following address:
U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: Humanitarian Division
Vermont Service Center
38 River Road
Essex Junction, VT 05479-0001
If you’ve filed an abuse waiver (form 1-751), the location where you need to mail your change of address will depend on the letters that appear at the start of your receipt number.
When you are mailing your form, the USCIS recommends you use registered, certified, or return receipt mail so you have proof that you sent the form.
Remember to fill out a change of address form for every family member.
How do I change my address with USCIS if I am a sponsor?
If you are a U.S. citizen sponsoring an immigrant, you can let USCIS know about your change of address by calling the service center or by filling out a Sponsor’s Notice of Change of Address form.
How long does it take to report my change of address online?
The online change of address form is short and easy to complete. It should take about five minutes to fill out. You will receive an email confirmation after submitting the form.
When can I stop telling USCIS about my address change?
The address change rule only applies to U.S. residents who are not citizens. As soon as you receive U.S. citizenship, you can stop informing USCIS about your address change.
If you leave the U.S. and are no longer living there on your visa, you also won’t need to keep updating the USCIS on your whereabouts.
Tips for updating your address on your green card
You only need to submit one form, so if you change your address online, there’s no need to also send a paper form to USCIS.
Here are some more tips to keep in mind:
- The easiest way to submit your change of address is online—through the USCIS portal or on the USCIS change of address page.
- If you mail your form by U.S. Postal Service (USPS), be sure to send it registered, certified, or return receipt mail so you get confirmation it was received.
- If you are mailing the form, use black ink, and don’t forget to sign and date it.
- You only need to change your address for your green card if this is a permanent move.
Settling into life as a green card holder
Making sure you are meeting all the conditions of your visa is an important part of living in the U.S. as a permanent resident. Moving is stressful, but fortunately updating your address with USCIS doesn’t have to be, especially if you simply fill out the form online.
Another way to simplify your life as a U.S. green card holder is to send money home using Remitly. Download the app, fund your transfer from your bank account, debit card, or credit card, and start sending money to loved ones around the world.