First-Year Mix-Ups, a USPS Address Change Isn't an AR-11
In your first year as a new immigrant, getting these 8 things wrong can cause real trouble: changing your address only with USPS and not reporting it to USCIS on Form AR-11 within 10 days; for men 18–25, not registering with Selective Service within 30 days of arrival; not using the 60-day Special Enrollment Period to buy health insurance after moving; assuming a filed EAD renewal extends your card automatically; letting your I-9 documents slip past 3 business days; filling in the W-4 the usual way as a nonresident; staying abroad more than 1 year without a reentry permit; and paying because a caller claims to be USCIS.
Each item gives what the official source says and what you need to do, with links to the full articles.
The 8 at a glance
| You might think | The official rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Changing your address with USPS is enough | Noncitizens must also report a move to USCIS within 10 days | USCIS |
| Selective Service has nothing to do with immigrants | Male immigrants aged 18–25 register within 30 days of arriving in the US | Selective Service |
| Health insurance can wait until the end of the year | After moving from abroad, a Special Enrollment Period is open for 60 days | HealthCare.gov |
| Filing an EAD renewal extends the card automatically | Renewals filed on or after 2025-10-30 are no longer extended automatically | Federal Register |
| I-9 documents can come later | Within 3 business days after you start work | USCIS M-274 |
| Fill in the W-4 like your coworkers | Nonresidents follow the extra rules in Notice 1392 | IRS |
| With a green card you can come back any time | Before a trip of more than 1 year, apply for a reentry permit | USCIS |
| A caller from USCIS wants me to pay | USCIS does not collect fees by phone or email | USCIS |
1. Changing your address only with USPS, not filing AR-11
USCIS says changing your address with USPS does not change it with USCIS, and USPS does not forward mail from USCIS. Noncitizens must report a new address to USCIS within 10 days of moving, except A and G visa holders and visa waiver visitors (USCIS address change page).
For how to do it, see report a move to USCIS within 10 days.
2. Men 18–25 who have not registered with Selective Service
Selective Service says men aged 18–25 must register within 30 days of arriving in the US, including permanent residents (Selective Service). For who must register and how to register late, see Selective Service registration for male immigrants.
3. Missing the 60-day window for health insurance
If you moved to the US from abroad, you may qualify for a Marketplace Special Enrollment Period within 60 days (HealthCare.gov). HealthCare.gov says changing from one eligible immigration status to another inside the US (for example, from refugee to green card holder) does not qualify (HealthCare.gov).
See health insurance for new immigrants within 60 days of moving.
4. Assuming a filed EAD renewal extends your card
EAD renewal applications filed on or after 2025-10-30 no longer extend the old card automatically; if your work permission depends on USCIS approval, you must stop working the day after the card’s expiration date (91 FR 65306). USCIS generally recommends filing up to 180 days before expiry.
See EAD renewals no longer get an automatic extension.
5. Letting I-9 documents slip past 3 business days
Your employer must examine your documents within 3 business days after you start work; if you present nothing within 3 days, the employer may terminate your employment. You choose the documents, and if your green card has not arrived there are receipts you can present first (USCIS M-274 4.0).
6. Filling in the W-4 the usual way as a nonresident
If you are a nonresident alien for tax purposes, fill in the W-4 by IRS Notice 1392: check Single or Married filing separately, write “NRA” below Step 4(c), and do not claim exemption from withholding (IRS Notice 1392).
Both the I-9 and the W-4 are covered in first day at work hand in your I-9 documents within three business days.
7. Staying abroad more than 1 year without a reentry permit
A green card is valid for reentry after a trip of no longer than 1 year; if you plan to be away longer than 1 year, USCIS advises applying for a reentry permit on Form I-131 before you leave (USCIS). Permanent residents age 18 or older must carry their green card (USCIS).
8. Paying because a caller says they are USCIS
The USCIS scams page says (USCIS):
- Never collects fees by phone or email: USCIS will never ask you to transfer money to an individual, and will never ask you to pay a fee to a person on the phone or by email.
- Payment methods it does not accept: Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, Venmo and gift cards.
- Online payments only through your account: fees you can pay online go only through your USCIS online account, at a web address ending in .gov.
- Never through your personal social media: USCIS only contacts you through official government channels.
- How to report a scam: report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your state consumer protection office.
Frequently asked questions
I changed my address with USPS. Do I still need to file AR-11?
Yes. USCIS says a USPS address change does not update USCIS, and noncitizens must report a move separately within 10 days.
Do men with a green card have to register with Selective Service?
Those aged 18–25 do. Selective Service says register within 30 days of arriving in the US, including permanent residents.
What if I miss the 60-day Special Enrollment Period?
Generally you wait for the yearly Open Enrollment. Employer group plans have their own enrollment deadlines, so ask HR first.
I filed my EAD renewal. Can I keep working after the old card expires?
If you filed on or after 2025-10-30 and your work permission depends on USCIS approval, your employment authorization ends the day after the card’s expiration date.
Will USCIS call me and ask me to pay?
No. USCIS says it does not collect fees by phone or email, and does not accept gift cards or transfers to individuals.
Put the deadlines on your list
Every deadline above is in the first-year deadline table for new immigrants. To put them in order for your status and check them off, use the My USA Plan checklist: the first 30 items are free, and the full 91 items cost US$9.90 once, not a subscription.
Sources and dates checked
All checked on 2026-10-27. This article is not legal, immigration or tax advice.
- USCIS address change:https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange
- Selective Service SSS101: https://www.sss.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SSS101_12.23-1.pdf
- HealthCare.gov Special Enrollment Period:https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period/
- HealthCare.gov gaining immigration status:https://www.healthcare.gov/help/gain-immigration-status/
- DHS final rule (91 FR 65306):https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/14/2026-20955/removal-of-automatic-extensions-for-certain-employment-authorization-documents
- USCIS M-274 4.0: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-resources/handbook-for-employers-m-274/40-completing-section-2-employer-review-and-verification
- IRS Notice 1392: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/n1392.pdf
- USCIS international travel as a permanent resident:https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/international-travel-as-a-permanent-resident
- USCIS common scams:https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/common-scams