When relocating to a new home in the U.S., informing the United States Postal Service (USPS) may seem sufficient, but for immigrants, it is not.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued an important reminder that updating your United States Postal Service address does not automatically update your address with USCIS, and neglecting to notify USCIS could have severe consequences.
USPS Will Not Send USCIS Mail
In a recent social media post, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) addressed a common misconception among immigrants. Contrary to other government mail, USPS does not send crucial documents and notifications from USCIS, even if you have presented an address alteration to them.
“ all foreigners in the United States must report an address alteration to USCIS within 10 days of relocation. This reporting condition does not apply to A and G visa holders and visa waiver guests. Neglecting to adhere may lead to fines or withdrawals,” posted by USCIS in a Tweet.
This implies that you must update your address differently with USCIS to ensure you receive all immigration-related correspondence, such as biometrics appointments, Requests for Evidence (RFEs), or interview notifications.
Who Should Report Address Alterations To USCIS
According to USCIS, all non-nationals settling in the United States must inform the agency of any address change within 10 days of relocation.
Exemptions to the Law:
- A and G visa holders (diplomats and specific government staff)
- Guests under the Visa Waiver scheme
Negligsevere adhere could lead to:
- Withdrawal proceedings in serious cases
- Fines
- Delays in case processing
Updating Your Address With USCIS
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages immigrants to utilize the Enterprise Change of Address (E-COA) tool, available through their USCIS online account. This technique provides:
- Quicker processing
- Absent of paperwork
- Real-time verification
If you do not have an online account yet, you can still update your address by mailing Form AR-11 (Alien’s Change of Address Card). Hence, USCIS suggests a digital technique to prevent processing delays.
For Pending Or Authorized Immigration Cases, Do Not Forget This Stage
If you have any pending or authorized immigration requests, you must enter the receipt numbers for each one at the time of your online address update. This guarantees that your new address is connected to all active situations.
Hint: Use the USPS ZIP Code Lookup platform to enter your new address accurately.
Special Directions For Specific Immigration Schemes
USCIS noted that some classes, such as participants in specific immigration schemes, may have additional address reporting requirements. If uncertain, refer to the USCIS Policy Manual for case-specific guidance.
USCIS strongly recommends that all immigrants update their addresses immediately after relocating. Omitting this stage may result in skipped bookings or rejected case referrals.