On May 7, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) published a Federal Register notice announcing proposed changes to the information collected through Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card.
Form AR-11 is intended for noncitizens in the United States who are required to report to USCIS a change of address within 10 days of moving. This form may be submitted to USCIS via mail or through MyUSCIS online account. Noncitizens with pending applications, petitions, or other requests before USCIS also use the address-change process to help ensure that USCIS correspondence and documents are sent to the correct mailing address.
Under the proposed Form AR-11 update, individuals subject to the federal change-of-address reporting requirement, except those specifically exempted, may also be required to provide information about their employment, schooling, and receipt of means-tested public benefits when reporting a change of address. USCIS’s current AR-11 guidance states that the change-of-address reporting requirement generally does not apply to A or G visa holders or visitors admitted under the Visa Waiver Program. USCIS has stated that the additional information may be used to enforce U.S. immigration laws, including laws related to the public charge ground of deportability and restrictions on eligibility for certain public benefits.
The Federal Register notice does not provide a final version of every question that may appear on the revised form. However, the anticipated update would represent a significant expansion from a routine address-reporting form to a broader information-collection process. USCIS states that the expanded information collection may help the government identify individuals who may be receiving means-tested public benefits in violation of federal eligibility restrictions and may allow USCIS to coordinate with agencies that administer those benefits.
The proposed changes are not yet final, and USCIS has not announced an effective date for the anticipated AR-11 updates. USCIS is accepting public comments through July 6, 2026. The current USCIS address-change procedures remain in place unless and until USCIS formally implements a revised version of Form AR-11 or updates its online change-of-address system.
Resources:
- How to Change Your Address
- AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card
- USCIS Policy Manual: Chapter 10 – Changes of Address
- Federal Register Notice: Agency Information Collection Activities; Reinstatement, With Change, of a Previously Approved Collection for Which Approval Has Expired: Alien Change of Address
This update is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
If you require specific advice and consultation, please call us at 508-790-1181.