Can I Move States While Waiting for Adjustment of Status?

[Lynxwarden 28]

For some background;

 

My case began officially being looked at on the 27th of August. I'm currently living in Indiana in my in-law's RV with my husband. For private reasons I don't feel the need to disclose here, things in this state haven't been going well for us. We moved here in July along with my brother-in-law and his girlfriend. They're planning on moving back to Florida where we came from and we're seriously considering having my case transferred and moving back with them before the winter hits on November 14th.

 

Is this an option for us? What are the pros, the cons, etc.? If the worst case scenario were to happen and my application was denied, a huge part of my own reasoning to move is that I don't want my husband to be alone and isolated from close friends and his brother. He will not have the support he'd need here in Indiana.

[davidvs 337]

No cons against moving. Just make sure you update with new mailing address

[geowrian 22,337]

You can move states anytime.

The cons are that sometimes the change of address (COA) is not properly recorded and notices are sent to the old address still, including possible an RFE/RFIE or interview notice. The other con is that if your case is awaiting an interview slot, it needs to be transferred to the new local field office.

[Lynxwarden 28]

2 hours ago, geowrian said:

The cons are that sometimes the change of address (COA) is not properly recorded and notices are sent to the old address still, including possible an RFE/RFIE or interview notice.

That is something I'm concerned about. I know for our mental health's sake moving back is 100% a good idea for us, but I do have that fear that something will turn up here and the in-law's wont let us know (no idea how they'll take it if we do go, but it won't be a positive reaction). Is there a way to take precautions for this possibility? Like, maybe alerting USPS to re-route mail addressed to you to the new address?

[geowrian 22,337]

14 minutes ago, Lynxwarden said:

That is something I'm concerned about. I know for our mental health's sake moving back is 100% a good idea for us, but I do have that fear that something will turn up here and the in-law's wont let us know (no idea how they'll take it if we do go, but it won't be a positive reaction). Is there a way to take precautions for this possibility? Like, maybe alerting USPS to re-route mail addressed to you to the new address?

Yes, you should file a COA with USPS, as well as the AR-11 (online or paper) with USCIS. You can also call USCIS and tell them of the address change as well....it shouldn't be needed, but it's just one extra precaution.

[Lynxwarden 28]

4 hours ago, geowrian said:

Yes, you should file a COA with USPS, as well as the AR-11 (online or paper) with USCIS. You can also call USCIS and tell them of the address change as well....it shouldn't be needed, but it's just one extra precaution.

Okay, I haven't heard of a COA but I'll bring it up with my husband and talk to him about it, that sounds like a good idea. I was planning on filing an AR-11 form online, would calling even after the form has been filed and received be a good idea?  I want to make sure we take all the precautions, you know?

 

I'm going to be filing for my work permit either Friday or Monday, too.  By the time November rolls around, will the AR-11 form cover that too?

[geowrian 22,337]

1 hour ago, Lynxwarden said:

would calling even after the form has been filed and received be a good idea?

It can't hurt.

 

1 hour ago, Lynxwarden said:

I'm going to be filing for my work permit either Friday or Monday, too.  By the time November rolls around, will the AR-11 form cover that too?

I would suggest filing AR-11s for each of them as well if you move after you submit them.

[Lynxwarden 28]

22 hours ago, geowrian said:

I would suggest filing AR-11s for each of them as well if you move after you submit them.

Hmmm, I wonder if it's worth waiting till after the move to submit the work permit application... On one hand the wait times are long right now so sooner the better, but on the other hands that's two AR-11 forms to submit.

 

By the way thank you for the helpful info! I get a bit frazzled out easily from reading forms and trying to make sure we do everything correctly.

[geowrian 22,337]

33 minutes ago, Lynxwarden said:

Hmmm, I wonder if it's worth waiting till after the move to submit the work permit application... On one hand the wait times are long right now so sooner the better, but on the other hands that's two AR-11 forms to submit.

 

By the way thank you for the helpful info! I get a bit frazzled out easily from reading forms and trying to make sure we do everything correctly.

If you're moving very soon, then it's probably best to wait to move to file them IMO. If it's more than like a month or 2 out, it might be better to send now and then do the AR-11s. Tough call.

 

No worries!