Non-U.S. Citizens Must File Change of Address with USCIS
Posted Jan 11, 2008
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The National Benefits Center (NBC) of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed the correct procedures required of all foreign nationals for registering their changes of address. This information was provided at a recent meeting with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). The NBC reminded all immigration attorneys and their clients that a change of address must be registered by two separate avenues. First, the foreign national must file Form AR-11 with the USCIS in Washington DC. Second, if they have any pending applications or petitions, they must notify the USCIS of the address change for all pending applications or petitions. This can be done by calling the USCIS or by using the online system. Information regarding the USCIS online system for updating addresses was previously provided in our January 19, 2007 article, USCIS Announces Online Address Change Notification System, available on MurthyDotCom.
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Address-Change Notifications for Pending Applications & Petitions
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The USCIS provides two avenues to change an address on a pending application or petition. An applicant should submit his/her change of address via the USCIS WebSite at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis, or by calling the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1.800.375.5283. The USCIS recommends these two methods as the most effective ways to update an address with regard to pending applications and petitions. The requested change will be processed within three days of receipt of website or NCSC referrals. The NBC also recommends not including any additional requests (such as an inquiry on the status of the case) during the telephone call, in order to facilitate the change-of-address process. The NCSC staff records, sorts, and forwards inquiries to the NBC based on the nature of the request. The most efficient way to ensure that the address-change request moves to the NBC is to make it the sole purpose of the call.
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Notifications Using Form AR-11
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Under the current immigration regulations, all foreign nationals (including permanent residents) must complete and file Form AR-11 within ten (10) days of the change of address. This is a separate requirement that does not result in changing the address on applications pending with the USCIS. All foreign nationals must comply with this requirement regardless of whether they have any applications or petitions pending at the time of the change of address. The AR-11 can be filled online, through the address update section of the USCIS WebSite. Whether filing electronically or by U.S. Mail, for one's own protection it is important to maintain proof of compliance with this requirement.
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Notifications for NSEERS Registrants or During Immigration Proceedings
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There are separate and/or additional requirements for individuals subject to special registration or those who are in immigration proceedings when they need to change their addresses. Change-of-address information while in proceedings is court specific. The websites for the immigration courts throughout the U.S. can be found on the Department of Justice WebSite. These websites carry lists of forms used, including a change-of-address form containing the proper address of the particular court. Those subject to special registration need to use Form AR-11SR, available through our forms page on MurthyDotCom.
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Conclusion
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Change-of-address requirements are often overlooked as unimportant, or purely an administrative function. Failure to update this information with the relevant government agencies, however, may result in long delays or even in the denial of certain immigration benefits.