Avoid legal consequences: this is how you inform Immigration of your change of address in the United States

A new tool is presented by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) so that users can report any news related to the address in that country. The most important one is to report if their address has changed, obviously to update it.

This is the Single Tool for Change of Address (E-COA, the abbreviation of the English Enterprise Change of Address). It is self-service and only available in English for the time being, the American agency reports.

The E-COA was filed on October 12, 2023 and it was highlighted that it is proposed to “allow individuals who have pending applications, petitions or requests for services to more easily update their address with USCIS.”

The E-COA is a digital application that will help immigrants enormously.

USCIS is launching an online form to request in-person appointments at its offices across the United States

How to access the E-COA tool

The agency indicates it can be accessed “through an online USCIS account, regardless of whether the individual’s cases are filed digitally or by mail.”

To use the E-COA tool, people need the account mentioned above. They must enter their last name, date of birth, new physical and mailing addresses, and information about their application or pending application.

What the E-COA allows

E-COA allows most people with an online USCIS account to update their mailing and physical addresses with USCIS for pending applications, petitions, and requests for service in one place.

So it is no longer necessary:

E-COA automates address changes for almost all forms. There are exceptions and you can find more information about them here.

United States: According to USCIS, this is the correct way to submit forms by mail

The use of the tool and who cannot use it

Customers who do not have pending applications or petitions can use this tool to fulfill the requirement to notify USCIS if they have moved.

In the initial phase, El Nuevo Herald points out, “immigrants are protected by law 8 USC 1367 – people who have pending or approved applications or petitioners under the benefits of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), non-immigrant status T or non- immigrant status You and its beneficiaries or derivatives cannot use E-COA.

Applicants or represented petitioners with VAWA, T, or U-related matters may make an address change by sending an email to the designated mailbox in the VAWA, T, and U Petitions section.

Unrepresented individuals with VAWA, T-visa, or U-visa cases may request an address change by following the instructions on the How to Change Your Address web page.

To keep in mind

Changing your address with the United States Postal Service (USPS) will not change your address with USCIS.

Address changes made through the E-COA do not affect Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Privacy Act (PA) requests.

But if you need to change your address for a FOIA or PA request, please email FOIAPAQuestions@uscis.dhs.gov.

The E-COA, in the words of USCIS, “will significantly improve the speed and efficiency of the process for customers to update their addresses with the agency.”

(JO)