All foreign nationals residing in the United States, including U.S. permanent residents and nonimmigrants, who are over the age of 14 and remaining in the United States for more than 30 days, must use form AR-11. They are required to report any change in address to the USCIS within 10 days.
There is no fee for filing and the only expense is the stamp for mailing. We have provided the form AR-11 in this manual. The following are common questions regarding the process of changing your address.
Notice: The USCIS has published information stating they will strictly enforce the existing requirement that all immigrants (Green Card Holders) and non-immigrants, including L1/L2, H- 1B/H4, F1/F2, J1/J2a and B1/B2, must notify the INS of a change of address within 10 days of such change; by filing the INS form AR-11.
Who must file form AR-11 ?
Every principal alien, holding an F-1, H-1, L-1 or other visa, as well as all family members over the age of 14, who are in an immigrant or non-immigrant status and remain in the US for over 30 days must file a separate form. If you have a child who has yet to turn 14 years of age, you must ensure that the form AR-11 is filed with the USCIS when that child turns 14.
Form AR-11 instructs me to "copy number from Alien Card" to enter my A number. What does that mean? Do I have an "A" number?
Most international students and scholars in F and J status do not have an "A" number, and should simply leave that question blank. Individuals who do have "A" numbers are those who have obtained an Employment Authorization Card from the USCIS (the A number is printed in the front of the card). That would include those F-1 s with EADs for optional practice training or employment based on economic hardship, and J-2 visa holders with work authorization. Others who would have "A" numbers include those who have applied for or have obtained permanent residency, refugee status, or political asylum. For those individuals, their "A" number will appear on their receipt notice or on their refugee or alien registration cards.
I have lived at several addresses in the past few years. But this is the first time I am filing out form AR-11. Do I need to fill out a form for each address where I have lived?
No. Only complete an AR-11 for your current address.
What if I forget to send in the form AR-11 or report my address late? What will the USCIS do?
Failure to do so can result in a $200 fine and 30 days in jail. It is also grounds for deportation. The USCIS, through the office of the Attorney General, has the authority to forgive such failures provided that failure to report "was reasonably excusable or was not willful". That means that you need to report properly and promptly, but that the USCIS will generally not take an action against you just because you missed a deadline or didn't know you needed to report, provided that you act in good faith and send the report once you know you have to report or realize you have missed the deadline.
I plan to make a trip abroad. Do I need to report my overseas address to the USCIS?
No. The USCIS is only interested in your address in the United States.
Form AR-11 asks for my port of entry and date of entry in the United States. I have made several trips into the United States. Which port of entry and date of entry should I provide?
Provide only your most recent date and port of entry, as indicated on your current 1-94 departure card.
Form AR-11 asks for the date my stay in the United States will expire. What date should I use?
The expiration date is the date written on your 1-94 departure card. If you 1-94 card reads "D/S" for duration of status (true for all F and J visa holders), the expiration date is then the completion date on your Form 1-20 or IAP-66 (DS-2019).
The form AR-11 looks very simple to complete. Is there anything special I should do before mailing it?
We recommend that you keep a copy of the complete form AR-11 for your records. The completed form should be mailing to the following:
USCIS
Change of Address
P.O. Box 7134
London, KY 40742-7134
For commercial overnight or fast freight services only:
USCIS
Change of Address
1084-1 South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744