Form AR-11: Reporting Address Changes to USCIS (Mandatory for All Immigrants)
All non-citizens must report address changes to USCIS within 10 days of moving. Here's how to file AR-11 and why it matters.
Quick Answer
Federal law requires all non-citizens (except diplomats and some international organization employees) to report address changes to USCIS within 10 days using Form AR-11. File online at uscis.gov or mail paper form. Failure to report is misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $200 and potential deportation. Also update address on pending applications separately. Takes 5 minutes online, free.
Key Takeaways
Mandatory for ALL non-citizens including green card holders
Must file within 10 days of moving to new address
File online at uscis.gov (free, takes 5 minutes)
Failure to report is federal misdemeanor with fines/deportation risk
Separate from updating address on pending applications
Even temporary moves (3+ months) should be reported
Key Takeaways
Mandatory for ALL non-citizens including green card holders
Must file within 10 days of moving to new address
File online at uscis.gov (free, takes 5 minutes)
Failure to report is federal misdemeanor with fines/deportation risk
Separate from updating address on pending applications
Even temporary moves (3+ months) should be reported
Table of Content
Who Must File AR-11
Every non-citizen in U.S. for 30+ days must report address changes except U.S. citizens, diplomats (A visas), international organization staff (G-4, NATO), and those in exempt categories.
Must file AR-11:
Green card holders (permanent residents)
H-1B, L-1, and other work visa holders
F-1, J-1 students and exchange visitors
Pending green card applicants (I-485)
Refugees and asylees
Anyone on temporary visa staying 30+ days
This applies regardless of whether you have pending USCIS applications. It's separate reporting requirement.
The 10-Day Rule
You have 10 calendar days from moving date to file AR-11. Not business days - all days including weekends and holidays.
Timeline example:
Move date: December 1
Deadline: December 11 (10 days later)
File any time within this window
Set reminder to file AR-11 immediately after moving. Don't wait until day 10.
How to File AR-11
Online filing (recommended):
Visit uscis.gov/addresschange
Create account or log in
Complete form (5-10 minutes)
Submit electronically
Receive confirmation email immediately
Free
Paper filing:
Download Form AR-11 from uscis.gov
Complete by hand or type
Mail to address listed on form
No filing fee
No confirmation provided
Takes weeks to process
Online is faster, easier, and provides confirmation. Use paper only if unable to access internet.
Information Required
Form asks for current name, date of birth, country of birth, country of citizenship, immigration status (A-number if applicable), old address, new address, and date of move.
Documents needed:
None required for AR-11 itself
Have green card or visa documents handy for reference
Know exact move date
Penalties for Not Filing
Failure to report address change within 10 days is federal misdemeanor under 8 USC 1305. Maximum penalty includes fine up to $200, imprisonment up to 30 days (rarely enforced), and removal (deportation) from United States (serious cases).
More commonly, failure creates problems when USCIS sends notices to old address including RFEs (Requests for Evidence), interview notices, approval notices. Missing these can result in application denials.
Special Rules for Different Visa Types
Status | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|
F-1 Students | Also update address with school DSO within 10 days |
J-1 Exchange | Also update with program sponsor |
Pending I-485 | File AR-11 AND update address on pending application |
H-1B | Inform employer (may affect LCA geographic area) |
Green Card | Must also carry card with current address |
Updating Pending Applications
AR-11 is general address update. If you have pending applications (I-485, I-765, N-400, etc.), you must ALSO update address specifically for those applications.
Update pending applications by:
Filing online at uscis.gov/coa (Change of Address)
Calling USCIS Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283
Submitting written request with receipt numbers
Do both: AR-11 (general requirement) AND case-specific update (for pending applications).
Temporary Moves
If moving temporarily (3+ months), report to USCIS. Vacation or business travel under 3 months doesn't require reporting. But extended temporary relocation (working remotely from different state for 6 months) should be reported.
When returning to permanent address, file AR-11 again reporting the return.
Moving Multiple Times
File AR-11 each time you move, even if moving multiple times in short period. Each move triggers new 10-day filing requirement.
Example:
Move 1: January 15 (file AR-11 by January 25)
Move 2: March 1 (file AR-11 by March 11)
Move 3: June 20 (file AR-11 by June 30)
No limit on how many times you can file.
Changing Address for Family
Each person files separately. If family of four moves, file four separate AR-11s - one per person. Cannot file jointly.
Children under 14 can have parent/guardian file on their behalf. Include child's information but parent signs.
Confirmation and Record Keeping
Online filing provides immediate confirmation email. Print and save this as proof of compliance. Paper filing provides no confirmation - keep copy of mailed form and proof of mailing (certified mail receipt).
If USCIS later claims you didn't report address change, confirmation email proves compliance.
Who Must File AR-11
Every non-citizen in U.S. for 30+ days must report address changes except U.S. citizens, diplomats (A visas), international organization staff (G-4, NATO), and those in exempt categories.
Must file AR-11:
Green card holders (permanent residents)
H-1B, L-1, and other work visa holders
F-1, J-1 students and exchange visitors
Pending green card applicants (I-485)
Refugees and asylees
Anyone on temporary visa staying 30+ days
This applies regardless of whether you have pending USCIS applications. It's separate reporting requirement.
The 10-Day Rule
You have 10 calendar days from moving date to file AR-11. Not business days - all days including weekends and holidays.
Timeline example:
Move date: December 1
Deadline: December 11 (10 days later)
File any time within this window
Set reminder to file AR-11 immediately after moving. Don't wait until day 10.
How to File AR-11
Online filing (recommended):
Visit uscis.gov/addresschange
Create account or log in
Complete form (5-10 minutes)
Submit electronically
Receive confirmation email immediately
Free
Paper filing:
Download Form AR-11 from uscis.gov
Complete by hand or type
Mail to address listed on form
No filing fee
No confirmation provided
Takes weeks to process
Online is faster, easier, and provides confirmation. Use paper only if unable to access internet.
Information Required
Form asks for current name, date of birth, country of birth, country of citizenship, immigration status (A-number if applicable), old address, new address, and date of move.
Documents needed:
None required for AR-11 itself
Have green card or visa documents handy for reference
Know exact move date
Penalties for Not Filing
Failure to report address change within 10 days is federal misdemeanor under 8 USC 1305. Maximum penalty includes fine up to $200, imprisonment up to 30 days (rarely enforced), and removal (deportation) from United States (serious cases).
More commonly, failure creates problems when USCIS sends notices to old address including RFEs (Requests for Evidence), interview notices, approval notices. Missing these can result in application denials.
Special Rules for Different Visa Types
Status | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|
F-1 Students | Also update address with school DSO within 10 days |
J-1 Exchange | Also update with program sponsor |
Pending I-485 | File AR-11 AND update address on pending application |
H-1B | Inform employer (may affect LCA geographic area) |
Green Card | Must also carry card with current address |
Updating Pending Applications
AR-11 is general address update. If you have pending applications (I-485, I-765, N-400, etc.), you must ALSO update address specifically for those applications.
Update pending applications by:
Filing online at uscis.gov/coa (Change of Address)
Calling USCIS Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283
Submitting written request with receipt numbers
Do both: AR-11 (general requirement) AND case-specific update (for pending applications).
Temporary Moves
If moving temporarily (3+ months), report to USCIS. Vacation or business travel under 3 months doesn't require reporting. But extended temporary relocation (working remotely from different state for 6 months) should be reported.
When returning to permanent address, file AR-11 again reporting the return.
Moving Multiple Times
File AR-11 each time you move, even if moving multiple times in short period. Each move triggers new 10-day filing requirement.
Example:
Move 1: January 15 (file AR-11 by January 25)
Move 2: March 1 (file AR-11 by March 11)
Move 3: June 20 (file AR-11 by June 30)
No limit on how many times you can file.
Changing Address for Family
Each person files separately. If family of four moves, file four separate AR-11s - one per person. Cannot file jointly.
Children under 14 can have parent/guardian file on their behalf. Include child's information but parent signs.
Confirmation and Record Keeping
Online filing provides immediate confirmation email. Print and save this as proof of compliance. Paper filing provides no confirmation - keep copy of mailed form and proof of mailing (certified mail receipt).
If USCIS later claims you didn't report address change, confirmation email proves compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does AR-11 filing take?
Online filing: 5-10 minutes. Paper filing: 15 minutes to complete form plus mailing time.
Is there filing fee?
No. AR-11 is free whether filing online or by paper.
What if I moved more than 10 days ago?
File immediately even if late. Late filing is better than never filing. Likelihood of penalty for slightly late filing is low.
Do I need to file if moving within same apartment complex?
Yes, if apartment number changes. Different apartment number is different address requiring AR-11.
What about P.O. boxes?
USCIS doesn't accept P.O. boxes as primary address. Use physical residence address. Can list P.O. box as mailing address separately if needed.
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