Relocating with an I-140: 10-Day Address Reports and Next Steps

Moving inside the United States 🇺🇸 won’t cancel a green card case, but you must update USCIS within 10 days to protect delivery of notices.
If you have a pending or approved I-140, an address lapse can trigger missed RFEs, denials, and even misdemeanor penalties under federal law for noncompliance.

DHS raised the pressure on February 25, 2025, announcing stricter enforcement of address reporting and alien registration, and warning that failures are prosecutable under law.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the safest plan combines timely Form AR-11 filing, careful job-portability checks, and saving proof from MyUSCIS for every receipt.

The address rule covers most non-citizens who stay 30 days or more, including green card holders, refugees, parolees, and people in removal proceedings.
USPS mail forwarding does not satisfy this duty, and USCIS does not show your filed address publicly, so your confirmation record matters when problems arise.

What stays valid when you move with a pending or approved I-140

An I-140 is the employer’s petition that classifies you for an immigrant job category, and it keeps its priority date even if you change apartments.

Relocating to another state does not void a pending petition, and an approved I-140 remains valid nationwide while you wait for a number or for Form I-485 adjudication.
Still, moving changes where mail lands, and lost letters are one of the fastest ways to miss a deadline that USCIS will not extend.

USCIS reported more than 1.2 million pending employment-based cases in Q4 2025, so small mistakes can sit unnoticed until a notice returns undelivered.
In FY2025, USCIS reported 350,000+ I-140 approvals, and that data showed 15% faced RFEs, partly tied to address problems during moves and transfers.

Because the petition belongs to the employer, most workers focus on job duties and pay, but the beneficiary still carries the duty to report addresses.
Keep a digital folder with every Form I-797 notice, your I-94 record, and any EAD, since officers and employers often ask for copies during moves.

If you work with a lawyer, send the address to counsel too, because the government may mail some notices only to the attorney of record.
Employers should also know where you live for public access file updates and notices, but that employer update does not replace AR-11 for your USCIS file.

Before signing a lease, check whether your building accepts courier delivery, since missed packets—like green cards or travel documents—often lead to replacement waits.

AR-11 in 10 days: how to report addresses correctly now

Federal law requires you to report each address change within 10 days, and the clock starts when you move, not when you update IDs later.

Key points about filing AR-11:
– The typical form is Form AR-11. USCIS accepts it online, by mail, or by phone.
– Online filing provides the fastest case link and immediate electronic confirmation.
– File online through the USCIS address change portal: https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange. The portal explains exemptions (including many A and G visa holders) and family options.
– If you mail AR-11, download it from Form AR-11 and use certified mail. Processing can take 3–4 weeks; keep the return receipt.
– Each family member files separately, except children under 14, where a parent or guardian files. The name on the form must match your official records.
– Phone updates via the USCIS Contact Center are useful for time-sensitive mail (like EAD cards); ask for a confirmation number.
– Students in F-1 or J-1 status usually update via a school official in SEVIS—follow campus instructions within 10 days.
– Sponsors under Form I-865 must file Form I-865 within 30 days; non-citizen sponsors still file AR-11 after every move.
– People with protected filings (some VAWA and trafficking cases) must follow special mail-only instructions—online changes may expose a safe location.

After submission, save a screenshot or printout. If a notice bounces back, that proof helps show you complied.

Using MyUSCIS to link your address to pending cases fast

A MyUSCIS account lets you file AR-11 online and link the update to receipt numbers, helping pending cases pull the new address quickly.

Best practices with MyUSCIS:
– During the online change, enter each receipt number you have (including Form I-485 and EAD cases) so service centers see updates promptly.
– For employment cases, the I-140 petition is usually filed by the employer, but your own address change still helps notices reach you directly.
– If you don’t see an address field on your tracker, don’t assume nothing happened—USCIS systems may update internally; the confirmation page is your record.
– Send a courtesy copy of the AR-11 confirmation to your lawyer and HR team—both may receive USCIS mail.
– Keep AR-11 confirmations with tax records and leases if you need a paper trail for naturalization.
– Use the same online account to monitor case status and messages; check spam folders for electronic alerts that mirror mailed notices.
– Create or access an account at myUSCIS for identity-verified access and secure use.

Job changes after a move: same-or-similar rules and AC21 checks

A move is straightforward for the I-140, but a job switch needs planning because your green card case depends on a real job offer.

Key considerations:
– The main test is whether the new role is “same or similar” to the job in the labor certification, often checked using DOL O*NET codes.
– If I-140 is approved and Form I-485 has been pending 180 days, AC21 portability can allow you to change employers without a new petition.
– Portability requires a letter confirming the new job’s title, duties, and pay, and the role should be consistent to avoid RFE risk.
– If the new employer will not support portability, a new I-140 filing may be required, and priority date rules can be critical for families.
– Keep job descriptions and paystubs to show continuity—USCIS scrutiny has increased and DHS may review employment history.
– Employers filing petitions should use the official Form I-140 page for fees and instructions—missing signatures can cause rejections.
– After any employment change, update your mailing address again so both your new employer’s counsel and USCIS are aligned.

2026 registration duties and enforcement risks: keep proof handy always

In 2026, DHS pushed alien registration rules and uses Form G-325R inside MyUSCIS for biometrics.

Important registration and enforcement details:
– Adults who register must attend fingerprinting, and those over 18 must carry proof. A move should trigger both AR-11 and document checks.
– Children who turn 14 must re-register within 30 days—calendar birthdays along with lease dates if dependents share a case.
– Failing to file AR-11 is a misdemeanor with fines up to $200 and imprisonment up to 30 days, and it can support denials for abandonment.
– Repeated noncompliance can be cited as bad moral character in naturalization proceedings, according to lawyers.
– If a deadline is close, act first and confirm delivery—missing an RFE response can force a new filing with fees starting at $715+.

Key takeaway: File AR-11 within 10 days of moving, save confirmation receipts (MyUSCIS screenshots or certified-mail return receipts), and link address updates to every pending receipt number to reduce risk of missed notices, RFEs, or enforcement actions.

Quick reference: deadlines, penalties, and filing options

Practical checklist when you move

1. File AR-11 within 10 days (online preferred).
2. Link address change to every pending receipt in MyUSCIS.
3. Save screenshots, confirmation pages, and certified-mail receipts.
4. Notify your attorney and HR; send them AR-11 confirmations.
5. Keep digital copies of Form I-797 notices, I-94, EADs, paystubs, leases, and tax records.
6. If changing jobs, confirm same-or-similar status and whether AC21 portability applies.
7. If applicable, register or re-register with biometrics using Form G-325R as instructed.
8. Check building courier policies before signing a lease to ensure secure delivery.

This preserves your case continuity and creates the paper trail you’ll need if DHS questions your compliance.