CR1/IR1 Spouse Visa

CR1 and IR1 Spouse Visa: Bringing Your Married Spouse to the United States

A CR1 or IR1 visa is the immigrant visa for the spouse of a US citizen, and it's the right path if you're already married rather than engaged. Both are the same underlying spouse visa for a US citizen's foreign national partner; the only difference is how long you've been married when your spouse's visa is approved.

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CR1 and IR1 Come Down to a Single Date

CR1 and IR1 comes down to a single date: if you've been married less than two years at approval, your spouse receives a CR1 visa and a conditional two-year green card. If you've been married two years or more, your spouse receives an IR1 visa and an unconditional 10-year green card, with no further filing required.

CR1

Married less than two years

Conditional two-year green card. Conditions are later removed with Form I-751.

IR1

Married two years or more

Unconditional 10-year green card, with no further filing required.

Eligibility

Valid marriage
Your marriage must be legally recognized in the country where it took place.
US citizen sponsor
The petitioning spouse must be a US citizen. Green card holders sponsoring a spouse use the F2A category instead.
Sponsor income requirement (Form I-864)
The petitioner must meet minimum income guidelines through the Affidavit of Support, or arrange a joint sponsor.
Bona fide marriage evidence
You'll need to show the marriage is genuine, not entered into for immigration purposes, through documentation like joint finances, shared residence, and photos together.

Process

01
File Form I-130
The US citizen spouse files Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS.
02
USCIS Review
USCIS reviews the petition and, if approved, forwards it to the National Visa Center (NVC).
03
NVC Processing
You submit civil documents and Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) at the NVC stage, along with a medical exam.
04
Consular Interview
Your spouse attends an interview at the US embassy or consulate in their home country.
05
Visa Issuance and Entry
Once approved, your spouse enters the US on their immigrant visa as a CR1 or IR1 permanent resident, depending on how long you'd been married at approval.
06
Removing Conditions (CR1 only)
If your spouse received a CR1 visa, you'll jointly file Form I-751 within the 90 days before the two-year green card expires to remove conditions and receive a standard 10-year card.

Timeline and Cost

Filing fee

$675 to file Form I-130 by mail, or $625 if filed online through a USCIS account. Confirm the live figure using USCIS's fee calculator before filing, since fees change periodically.

Processing time

Marriage visa processing time varies by USCIS service center, NVC document review speed, and embassy interview availability. There is no premium processing available for Form I-130.

Check Current USCIS Processing Times Check Current State Department Visa Wait Times

Timelines and fees are subject to change. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Common Challenges

An immigrant visa for a spouse involves more document review than a fiancé visa, which creates its own set of common issues:

NVC document review delays

The NVC reviews civil documents and financial evidence before scheduling an interview, and incomplete submissions are a common source of delay.

Requests for Evidence (RFEs)

USCIS or the NVC may request additional documentation if eligibility or the marriage's validity isn't clearly established.

Interview preparation

Consular officers ask detailed questions about the relationship at the interview. Being unprepared for the range of questions asked is a common reason interviews don't go smoothly.

Proving the marriage isn't for immigration purposes

Officers look for consistent, credible evidence that the marriage is genuine. Gaps or inconsistencies in the paperwork can trigger further scrutiny.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can't find your answer? Every case is different, and a free case evaluation is the fastest way to get guidance specific to your situation.

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What's the difference between CR1 and IR1?

It comes down to how long you've been married when your spouse's visa is approved. Less than two years means CR1 and a conditional two-year green card. Two years or more means IR1 and an unconditional 10-year green card.

How long does a spouse visa for a US citizen take to process?

Marriage visa processing time depends on the USCIS service center, NVC document review, and embassy interview scheduling. Check current USCIS processing times →

Do I need to file anything after my spouse enters on a CR1 visa?

Yes. You'll jointly file Form I-751 within the 90 days before the two-year conditional green card expires, to remove conditions and receive a standard 10-year card. This isn't required for IR1 visa holders.

Can I sponsor my spouse if I'm not yet a US citizen?

If you're a lawful permanent resident rather than a citizen, your spouse falls under the F2A category instead of CR1/IR1, which involves a visa availability wait due to annual caps.

What's the cost of a married visa for the USA?

The USCIS filing fee for Form I-130 is $675 by mail, or $625 online. Additional costs include the State Department visa application fee, medical exam, and any attorney fees. Get a Free Case Evaluation for a full breakdown.

Can my spouse work in the US after arriving on a CR1 or IR1 visa?

Yes. Since CR1 and IR1 visa holders enter as permanent residents, they're authorized to work immediately, with no separate work permit application needed.

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