US immigration department's reminder for immigrants: Updating address with postal service is not enough

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in a recent post on Linkedin warned immigrants in the US that updating an address with the US Postal Service (USPS) alone is not sufficient. The organisation emphasised that USPS does not forward mail from USCIS, and both USPS and USCIS must be updated separately.

According to USCIS all immigrants must report any change of address with the organisation within 10 days of moving. This rule applies to all non-citizens residing in the US, except for holders of A and G visas and those visiting under the Visa Waiver Program.

How you can update your address with USCIS

The method to update the address is through the USCIS Enterprise Change of Address (E-COA) tool, available under the “My Account” section of a USCIS online account. This digital method allows for faster processing and eliminates the need for mailing paper forms. “Using an online account to update your address in a timely way meets the legal requirement to notify us that you have moved,” USCIS explained.

Those without an online account can still meet legal obligations by mailing Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card. However, USCIS recommends using the online platform to avoid delays caused by manual processing.

Applicants with pending or approved immigration benefit requests must include receipt numbers for each case while updating their address online. This ensures that USCIS updates the information across all active cases.

According to USCIS, failing to update your address may result in missed correspondence or delays in processing immigration cases. “We strongly encourage you to submit your change of address through a USCIS online account as soon as you move,” the department stated.

Applicants are also advised to use the USPS Look Up a ZIP Code tool to submit their address in the correct format.

USCIS also highlighted that certain populations, such as those under specific immigration programs, may need to follow different procedures. Detailed information is available in the USCIS Policy Manual.