What Is Form AR-11?
Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card, is the form that virtually every non-U.S. citizen living in the United States must file whenever they move to a new address. Under Section 265 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), all "aliens" (the legal term used in the statute for non-citizens) must notify the government of any change of address within 10 days of moving.
This requirement applies to an extremely broad category of people: lawful permanent residents (green card holders), nonimmigrant visa holders of all types (H-1B workers, F-1 students, B-1/B-2 visitors, etc.), people with pending immigration applications, asylees, refugees, and even people who are in the country without legal status. The only exceptions are certain diplomats and international organization representatives on A or G visas, who report address changes through the U.S. Department of State instead.
Despite the seriousness of this legal requirement, AR-11 is one of the simplest immigration forms to complete. It can be filed online in just a few minutes at no cost. Yet many immigrants are unaware of this requirement, and failure to comply can have serious consequences for future immigration benefits.
Who Must File AR-11?
The list of people required to file AR-11 is deliberately broad. You must file if you are any of the following:
Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) — Every time you move, you must file AR-11 within 10 days. This is true even if you have had your green card for decades. LPRs must also separately update their address with USCIS to receive their renewed green card at the correct address.
Nonimmigrant visa holders — This includes H-1B, H-4, L-1, L-2, F-1, J-1, B-1, B-2, O-1, TN, E-2, and every other nonimmigrant classification. If you move apartments, change cities, or relocate for any reason, file AR-11.
People with pending applications — If you have filed any petition or application with USCIS (such as Form I-485 for adjustment of status, Form I-130, Form N-400 for naturalization, or any other form) and you move before it is decided, you must file AR-11 AND separately notify the USCIS office handling your case.
Conditional residents — If you have a conditional green card (received through marriage or EB-5 investment), you must also file AR-11 when you move.
F-1 and M-1 students — Students must file AR-11 AND update their address in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) through their Designated School Official (DSO). The SEVIS update is separate from AR-11 and equally important.
How to File AR-11 Online (Recommended)
The fastest and easiest way to file AR-11 is online through the USCIS website. Here is the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Go to the USCIS AR-11 page. Navigate to uscis.gov/ar-11 and click the link to file online. You can also access it through your myUSCIS account.
Step 2: Enter your personal information. You will need your full legal name (as it appears on your immigration documents), date of birth, country of birth, A-Number (Alien Registration Number) if you have one, current immigration status, and your I-94 number if applicable.
Step 3: Enter your old address and new address. Provide the complete street address, apartment number, city, state, and ZIP code for both your previous and new addresses.
Step 4: Submit and save confirmation. After submitting, you will receive an on-screen confirmation. Print or save this confirmation for your records. There is no filing fee.
The entire online process typically takes less than 10 minutes. You do not need to create a USCIS online account to file AR-11, although having one can be helpful for tracking other cases.
How to File AR-11 by Mail
If you prefer to file by mail or cannot file online, you can download the paper Form AR-11 from the USCIS website, complete it, and mail it to the address specified in the form instructions. Mail filing is free but takes longer to process than online filing. Keep a copy of the completed form and use a trackable mailing method so you have proof of timely filing.
The 10-Day Rule: Timing and Compliance
The law is clear: you must report your address change within 10 days of moving. The 10-day clock starts from the day you physically move to your new address — not from when you sign a lease, not from when you start looking for a new place, and not from when you get your mail forwarded.
In practice, USCIS does not typically send confirmation of receiving your AR-11 by mail (online filers get immediate confirmation). There is no formal "receipt notice" like you would get for other USCIS filings. This means you should keep your own records showing when you moved and when you filed.
If you missed the 10-day deadline, file anyway — immediately. It is always better to file late than not at all. While technically a violation, a late filing is far less problematic than no filing at all.
Penalties for Not Filing AR-11
The penalties for failing to report a change of address are real, though enforcement varies. Under the INA, willful failure to file AR-11 is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $200 and/or imprisonment for up to 30 days. In extreme cases, it can be grounds for removal (deportation).
More commonly, the practical consequences include: USCIS sends important notices (interview appointments, RFEs, approval or denial notices) to your old address and you miss them, which can result in denial of your application; you may be found to have failed to maintain your status; and it can be cited as a negative factor in discretionary decisions on future immigration applications.
For green card holders applying for naturalization, USCIS officers sometimes ask whether you filed AR-11 for every move. If you cannot demonstrate compliance, it could complicate your naturalization interview.
AR-11 and Pending USCIS Cases
This is critically important: filing AR-11 alone may not update your address on pending cases. If you have any pending application or petition with USCIS, you should take these additional steps:
Update through myUSCIS: Log into your myUSCIS account and update your address for each pending case.
Call the USCIS Contact Center: Call 1-800-375-5283 to request an address change on your pending case. Have your receipt number(s) ready.
Mail a written request: Send a letter to the USCIS office or service center handling your case, referencing your receipt number, and requesting the address be updated.
If you have a case in immigration court: You must separately file a change of address with the immigration court using Form EOIR-33/IC. The court will not know about your AR-11 filing with USCIS.
Special Situations
Temporary moves: If you are staying temporarily at a different address (such as a work assignment or vacation) but your permanent address has not changed, you generally do not need to file AR-11. However, if you are staying at the temporary address long enough that it becomes your primary residence, you should file.
Moving within the same building: If you change apartments within the same building (different unit number), you should file AR-11 because your mailing address has changed.
Multiple family members: Each family member who is a non-citizen must file their own AR-11 separately. A parent can file on behalf of children under 14 years of age.
DACA recipients: If you have DACA, you must file AR-11 when you move, just like any other non-citizen. This is especially important because USCIS needs your current address to send DACA renewal notices and EAD cards.
People in removal proceedings: If you are in removal proceedings, you must file AR-11 with USCIS AND separately notify the immigration court of your new address using the court's own change of address form. Missing a hearing because the court sent the notice to your old address can result in an in absentia removal order.
AR-11 Checklist: What You Need
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full legal name | As it appears on immigration documents |
| Date of birth | Month, day, year |
| Country of birth | Country name |
| A-Number | If you have one (green card holders, EAD holders, etc.) |
| I-94 number | If applicable (nonimmigrant visa holders) |
| Current immigration status | e.g., H-1B, F-1, LPR, B-2 |
| Old address | Complete street address, city, state, ZIP |
| New address | Complete street address, city, state, ZIP |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must file Form AR-11?
Almost every non-U.S. citizen in the United States must file Form AR-11 when they change their address. This includes lawful permanent residents (green card holders), nonimmigrant visa holders (H-1B, F-1, B-1/B-2, etc.), and anyone with a pending application or petition with USCIS. U.S. citizens are not required to file AR-11. Certain diplomats and foreign government officials on A or G visas may be exempt.
What is the deadline for filing AR-11?
You must file Form AR-11 within 10 days of moving to your new address. This is a strict legal requirement under Section 265 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The 10-day clock starts from the date you physically move, not from the date you sign a lease or close on a home.
What happens if I forget to file AR-11?
Failure to report a change of address is technically a misdemeanor that can carry penalties including fines and up to 30 days in jail. More practically, it can be considered a negative factor in future immigration applications, as it may be viewed as a failure to maintain status or comply with immigration laws. If you missed the deadline, file as soon as possible and consult an attorney if you have concerns.
Does filing AR-11 update my address on pending cases?
Filing AR-11 online may update your address in the USCIS system, but it does not always automatically update your address on all pending cases. If you have a pending application or petition, you should also file a separate change of address request directly with the office or service center handling your case. For cases in immigration court, you must also notify the court separately.
Is there a fee to file AR-11?
No. Filing Form AR-11 is completely free. There is no filing fee for either the online or paper version. Be wary of third-party websites that charge a fee to submit AR-11 on your behalf — you can do it yourself at no cost through the official USCIS website.
Can I file AR-11 online?
Yes, and online filing is the fastest and recommended method. You can file AR-11 online at the USCIS website. The online process takes only a few minutes and provides immediate confirmation. You can also file by mail using the paper form, but processing takes longer.
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→ Green Card Guide → Adjustment of Status Guide → Form I-539: Change or Extend StatusLast verified: April 2026 · Reviewed by USImmigrationLaw.Today editorial team.