zzrmark

I'm currently nearing the final stage of a CR-1 visa application, ie post medical, pre interview!

My wife has recently had to change address and we're stumped as to who exactly we should inform about the change (great timing on her part but unfortunately it couldn't be helped!).

I will give verbal notification at the interview but do I inform USCIS as I would presume that they are the department who will eventually issue a Green card? - their 'online change of address' process confused me as it asks whether I have a pending application with them. The I-130 appears to be the only obvious option in the 'drop-down' list, however that is long since approved and there's no obvious other form that is relevant.
If I enter processed/not pending the form assumes I'm living in the States and wants me to note when I entered the country and won't accept a blank box.

NVC could be another avenue to try but my 'case status' shows as 'Ready', having already gone past 'In Transit' stage, meaning that all my paperwork is now at the Embassy and I would presume that I'm now done with them?

If anybody has any ideas/observations that may help us, they'd be greatly appreciated.

Noorah101

If she's in the USA, no need to notify anyone. You can tell them at the interview.

Rene

zzrmark

Ta, presumably green card would come from USCIS after Embassy gives them the go ahead to issue it?

Noorah101

The green card doesn't come until after you arrive in the USA using your immigrant visa. At the POE, you will verify the current USA address for mailing the green card.

Rene

zzrmark

Cheers, I realised that the card doesn't arrive until after I enter the US - hence wanting to know if I needed to inform any department other than the embassy, as I didn't much fancy living in one place and the card arriving at another

ian-mstm

This is all that needs to be done.


You only need to complete an AR-11 if you move after you enter the US. It's irrelevant at this point in time.

Ian

sparkleandglitter

Btw (obviously you will update at interview) but you are asked to confirm the address that you will be living at/have green card sent to when you arrive in the US.
If your address changes after that, you will file the AR-11 online to update your address as Ian points out (it's super easy) within 10 days (?) of move.
I did the AR-11 about a week or so after arrival and my greencard came to that updated address.

ian-mstm

If your address changes following your interview but prior to entering the US, you can give the new address to the CBP officer who processes your visa on entry to the US - and that's where your GC will go.


The AR-11 has nothing whatsoever to do with getting mail redirected - that's not its purpose. It's purpose is to tell the US where you are physically located... which, from their point of view, is a completely separate issue to where you get your mail.


You were lucky!

Ian

zzrmark

I'll be most put out if modom relocates in the next two months (not half as much as her though).

The USCIS site has an online 'wizard' type affair which claims to update your details and autocomplete an AR-11 for you at the same time...but is still only any use after POE.

I shall now go attach a post-it note to the front of my interview ready folder so that I don't forget the address on the day and hopefully the worst part of 30th September will be a sore backside!!!

(...as a result of the 460 mile round trip to London on a motorcycle!)

sparkleandglitter

Ian - I thought it was still going to my mother-in-law's and was told that it shouldn't change that when I called the customer service center. But it turned up here, so I'm a bit confused but you're right - I'm lucky - it saved her posting it to me!

Perhaps it's because I did it online - there was some mention online somewhere that if you did it online, you don't have to file a change of address too.

There's a spot for your mailing address if different - and I put the MIL's address there (I trust the post more as it's a house, not an apartment) - but it still came to me at my updated address...

It's all a bit of a mystery what happens - is that normal?

ian-mstm

Yes - indeed, the entire immigration process is largely a mystery!

Ian