Change of Address

Change of address is not an optional but a mandatory process that the green card and visa holders must do positively. It is the process of informing the government about the changes in your whereabouts. It is applicable to non immigrant visa holders as well as green card holders. The change of address is compulsory for ‘special registrant aliens’ too.

The written notice must be applied within 10 days after remaining in the US for 30 days or more. Failure of notice of change of address will put you into the category of ‘out-of-status’. This may lead to your arrest, Conviction, fine up to $200, imprisonment up to 30 days, combination of both, or even removal from the US with reference to INA 266(b). It may also confiscate your future immigration rights. In case of children less than 14 years, the parent or legal guardian is convicted.

The rules have become very strict after the September 11, 2001 attack which led to the formation of the NSEERS (National Security Entry-Exit Registration System) by the department of justice and the department of homeland security (DHS). It was a program exclusively designed for the purpose of monitoring the entry and exit of the immigrants.

The change of address application is devoid of filing fee. The completed application must be sent to US department of homeland security and United States Citizenship and Immigration services, change of address, Kentucky. You can either use the US postal service or private courier service to file the application but both of them have different mailing locations. So be sure to send the change of address application to the right one.

The form does not require any supporting documents, photographs or anything else that has to be submitted.

The United States immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) run a ‘Special registration’ program where individuals from certain nations pass through supplementary safety measures to confirm their change of address while residing in the United States

There are also exceptions such as official government representatives to an international organization (G visa), diplomats (A visa) and few non immigrants who do not possess a visa and are in the US for less than 30 days.