As an international student or scholar in the U.S., it’s your legal responsibility to keep your local residential address up to date at all times.
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA Section 265) requires all nonimmigrants and permanent residents to report any change of address within 10 days of moving.
Failing to report a new address on time can affect your immigration status.
Whether you move to a new apartment, a new place just for the summer, or even stay temporarily with a friend, it’s essential that you update your address.
F-1 and J-1 Students
Update your addresses using your student portal. OIA will update this information in SEVIS.
If you are Post Completion OPT or STEM Extension OPT, please update your address in your SEVP Portal.
If you have questions please email your DSO at kveloz@ucmerced.edu
Common Issues When Updating Your Portal:
1. Make sure your address matches the following format:
5200 N. Lake Road
Dorm Building Name, Room Number
Merced, CA 95343
(Make sure the number and the street name are on 1 line instead of separated into line 2.)
2. Check that both your mailing and physical address are your U.S. address, NOT your address back in your home country.
3. If you are trying to update your address and are getting an error that looks like, or is similar to below, please do the following:
This is a bug that occurs when the address type is changed. For example, if an address of the "Physical Address" is changed to "Parent Address 1" (or any other combination). The workaround is to create a new address of the desired type and enter the information.
J-1 Scholars
Update your addresses by emailing us. OIA will update this information in SEVIS.
H-1B, O-1, TN, and UC Merced Sponsored Permanent Residents
Update your address with USCIS by completing the online Form AR-11. You must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving.
