Change of Address & Return Notice- Living Abroad

[mtaylaa 0]

Perhaps this has been discussed before, but I have read through about 15 pages and found nothing.. so here I am!

My husband and I are abroad (Georgia, to be exact). We never received our NOA1. I got the email, which had all necessary information, so I was not so worried at the time. We also recently moved to a new apartment in the city, but relatives are living at the address we originally listed, so mail would still be safe (if it ever arrives). 
 

When this first panned out monthsss ago, I called USCIS to ask about this, but the guy informed me that there is no way to change the address online or over the phone. He also said that at this point it is "up to me" if I want to send snail mail to NSC with a new address. (????)
 

Fast forward a few months, I finally get an official email notice that our NOA1 was returned. However, the form they linked to fill out, yet again, only applies to the US. 

 

As time goes by, I am getting more and more worried that our petition will be negatively affected by the potentially bad advice of the phone operator, and terrible mail service in & out of this country. Doesn't help that alllllll advice and requirements regarding addresses, only take into account domestic addresses.

 

Anyone have experience with address change/bad addresses living abroad? 

Edited May 16, 2019 by mtaylaa

[IssaCaptureFL 120]

13 minutes ago, mtaylaa said:

Perhaps this has been discussed before, but I have read through about 15 pages and found nothing.. so here I am!

My husband and I are abroad (Georgia, to be exact). We never received our NOA1. I got the email, which had all necessary information, so I was not so worried at the time. We also recently moved to a new apartment in the city, but relatives are living at the address we originally listed, so mail would still be safe (if it ever arrives). 
 

When this first panned out monthsss ago, I called USCIS to ask about this, but the guy informed me that there is no way to change the address online or over the phone. He also said that at this point it is "up to me" if I want to send snail mail to NSC with a new address. (????)
 

Fast forward a few months, I finally get an official email notice that our NOA1 was returned. However, the form they linked to fill out, yet again, only applies to the US. 

 

As time goes by, I am getting more and more worried that our petition will be negatively affected by the potentially bad advice of the phone operator, and terrible mail service in & out of this country. Doesn't help that alllllll advice and requirements regarding addresses, only take into account domestic addresses.

 

Anyone have experience with address change/bad addresses living abroad? 

Which form are you applying for and I would call again and ask to speak with a manager because you should be able to change your address, only way USCIS would not be able to change it is if they no longer have your file. Also NOA1 depending on what you applied for doesn't have any additional information aside from confirming they received your application, I didn't use neither of the NOA1 or NOA2 because I seen all the necessary steps to take here on VJ. Hope this information helps. 

[kris&me 572]

https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange

 

USCIS site that tells you how to file change of address onliine

[Loren Y 2,756]

Usually USCIS won't send mail internationally. If you really want to be safe, there are many forwarding services that will receive mail and either scan it in and email it to you, or forward it to you if you need the physical letter. They have a US address so USCIS can send mail to it. You can update your address with USCIS to the company address, and then you won't miss any mail at all. I have a service I use for when I am overseas, and it works out good. They scan any mail I receive, email it to me, I get back to them to tell them what to open and scan, what to trash what to physically forward to me.

[mtaylaa 0]

15 minutes ago, IssaCaptureFL said:

Which form are you applying for and I would call again and ask to speak with a manager because you should be able to change your address, only way USCIS would not be able to change it is if they no longer have your file. Also NOA1 depending on what you applied for doesn't have any additional information aside from confirming they received your application, I didn't use neither of the NOA1 or NOA2 because I seen all the necessary steps to take here on VJ. Hope this information helps. 

Oh, I posted in the IR-1/CR-1 thread, but didn't clarify  
When I originally called, I had called the general number.. But I will try NSC and see if they have any other advice. The problem with changing was the fact that it was not a domestic address. Just really not trusting snail mail.. 

Edited May 16, 2019 by mtaylaa

[mtaylaa 0]

11 minutes ago, kris&me said:

https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange

 

USCIS site that tells you how to file change of address onliine

It only refers to domestic addresses. Even the physical mail-in form

[mtaylaa 0]

10 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

Usually USCIS won't send mail internationally. If you really want to be safe, there are many forwarding services that will receive mail and either scan it in and email it to you, or forward it to you if you need the physical letter. They have a US address so USCIS can send mail to it. You can update your address with USCIS to the company address, and then you won't miss any mail at all. I have a service I use for when I am overseas, and it works out good. They scan any mail I receive, email it to me, I get back to them to tell them what to open and scan, what to trash what to physically forward to me.

Thanks!! I wish I had thought about this option before I filed. I am kicking myself, really. But even finding the right way to update THAT address with USCIS is leading me in circles. 

[Loren Y 2,756]

26 minutes ago, mtaylaa said:

Thanks!! I wish I had thought about this option before I filed. I am kicking myself, really. But even finding the right way to update THAT address with USCIS is leading me in circles. 

Once you get something setup, use the link above that was posted to get it changed. I have seen people having problems getting their address updated, but others have no issues. You can try, then at least you are being proactive. I know some people have updated it online, then called USCIS in a few weeks to verify the change.

[mtaylaa 0]

9 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

Once you get something setup, use the link above that was posted to get it changed. I have seen people having problems getting their address updated, but others have no issues. You can try, then at least you are being proactive. I know some people have updated it online, then called USCIS in a few weeks to verify the change.

Unfortunately all fields only relate to domestic addresses. So there is no way to actually fill the forms.. online or hard copy. 

[carmel34 3,664]

16 hours ago, mtaylaa said:

Perhaps this has been discussed before, but I have read through about 15 pages and found nothing.. so here I am!

My husband and I are abroad (Georgia, to be exact). We never received our NOA1. I got the email, which had all necessary information, so I was not so worried at the time. We also recently moved to a new apartment in the city, but relatives are living at the address we originally listed, so mail would still be safe (if it ever arrives). 
 

When this first panned out monthsss ago, I called USCIS to ask about this, but the guy informed me that there is no way to change the address online or over the phone. He also said that at this point it is "up to me" if I want to send snail mail to NSC with a new address. (????)
 

Fast forward a few months, I finally get an official email notice that our NOA1 was returned. However, the form they linked to fill out, yet again, only applies to the US. 

 

As time goes by, I am getting more and more worried that our petition will be negatively affected by the potentially bad advice of the phone operator, and terrible mail service in & out of this country. Doesn't help that alllllll advice and requirements regarding addresses, only take into account domestic addresses.

 

Anyone have experience with address change/bad addresses living abroad? 

If you are receiving notices from USCIS via email, the hard copies of NOA1 and NOA2 are not needed.  You'll get everything you need via email anyway.  When your petition gets approved, you'll get an email with instructions from NVC with the case number and a link to upload documents via CEAC.  The only mailing address that matters in this long process is the address in the US where you will be living after immigrating, where the green card and social security card will be mailed. 

[DJ C 9]

We went through this too, here is how it worked out for us:

1. NOA1 - received by mail at the address of filing (an email received as well)

2. Could not change address online, works only for domestic address (not sure why someone has not designed this for people living abroad!)

3. Mailed AR-11 per instructions

4. Never received any confirmation by mail or email

5. When called USCIS we verified they had the correct address and they did 

6. NOA2 received by mail at new address, email received too

[mtaylaa 0]

On 5/17/2019 at 10:04 AM, carmel34 said:

If you are receiving notices from USCIS via email, the hard copies of NOA1 and NOA2 are not needed.  You'll get everything you need via email anyway.  When your petition gets approved, you'll get an email with instructions from NVC with the case number and a link to upload documents via CEAC.  The only mailing address that matters in this long process is the address in the US where you will be living after immigrating, where the green card and social security card will be mailed. 

Thank you so so much :D this was the most helpful answer. I feel a bit more relieved. 

[mtaylaa 0]

On 5/17/2019 at 10:39 AM, DJ C said:

We went through this too, here is how it worked out for us:

1. NOA1 - received by mail at the address of filing (an email received as well)

2. Could not change address online, works only for domestic address (not sure why someone has not designed this for people living abroad!)

3. Mailed AR-11 per instructions

4. Never received any confirmation by mail or email

5. When called USCIS we verified they had the correct address and they did 

6. NOA2 received by mail at new address, email received too

I am a bit late to replying, so I hope you'll see this.. When you mailed the AR-11, was there space to list your international address? I downloaded the PDF and it looked to be the same as the online version. 

[DJ C 9]

On 5/30/2019 at 8:37 PM, mtaylaa said:

I am a bit late to replying, so I hope you'll see this.. When you mailed the AR-11, was there space to list your international address? I downloaded the PDF and it looked to be the same as the online version. 

I looked over my notes and I have to correct #3 - it was not AR-11, it was just a letter we sent to inform them about the address change. Later (#5) we found out it took about 6 weeks before the change took in USCIS systems, but like I said - no notification.

I believe AR-11 is used for the beneficiary at later stage.