Immediate Residency
Processing Time
Immediate Relative
Upon Entry
The best visa option for married couples seeking permanent residency
The CR-1 and IR-1 visas are immigrant visas for spouses of U.S. citizens. CR-1 (Conditional Resident) is issued to couples married less than 2 years, while IR-1 (Immediate Relative) is for couples married 2 years or more. Both visas grant immediate permanent residency upon entry to the United States, allowing spouses to receive green cards without adjustment of status.
CR-1/IR-1 is the superior option compared to K-1 fiancé visa or K-3 spouse visa. You get immediate green card, immediate work authorization, and immediate travel freedom—all without the expensive adjustment of status process!
For couples married LESS than 2 years at time of green card issuance
For couples married 2+ years at time of green card issuance
Four essential criteria for spouse immigrant visa
The petitioning spouse must be a U.S. citizen, not just a green card holder. Only U.S. citizens can file CR-1/IR-1 petitions for their foreign spouses.
Must be in a legally valid marriage recognized by the jurisdiction where it occurred. The marriage must be bona fide (genuine) and not solely for immigration purposes.
Must demonstrate bona fide marriage with comprehensive documentation showing genuine relationship. USCIS and consular officers scrutinize marriage evidence carefully.
U.S. citizen spouse must meet minimum income requirements (125% of federal poverty guidelines). For household of 2 in 2025: approximately $25,000/year.
Expert Recommendation: If you're already married, CR-1/IR-1 is almost always the better choice. Same or faster timeline to green card, lower cost, and immediate benefits!
Six straightforward steps to permanent residency
U.S. citizen spouse files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS along with marriage certificate, proof of citizenship, and relationship evidence.
Mail to appropriate USCIS lockbox based on petitioner's residence
Receipt notice in 2-4 weeks
USCIS reviews the petition, may request additional evidence (RFE), and issues approval notice (Form I-797, Notice of Action).
Processing Time: Typically 8-12 months, varies by USCIS service center workload
Check status online with receipt number
Approval notice sent by mail
After I-130 approval, petition is forwarded to the National Visa Center for immigrant visa processing. NVC assigns case number and invoice ID.
NVC sends welcome letter with case number
Create account on CEAC website
Pay immigrant visa fee ($325)
Pay Affidavit of Support fee ($120)
Timeline: NVC processing typically takes 2-4 weeks to assign case number and send welcome letter
Complete and submit all required forms and supporting documents through NVC's Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
Important: Submit complete and accurate documents to avoid delays. NVC review can take 2-8 weeks depending on completeness.
Foreign spouse attends visa interview at U.S. Embassy/Consulate in their home country. Complete medical examination before interview.
Foreign spouse enters United States with immigrant visa. Upon admission, becomes lawful permanent resident immediately. Green card mailed within 2-4 weeks.
8-12 months
I-130 approval
4-6 months
NVC + Interview
12-18 months
Total to Green Card
Complete documentation checklist for petitioner and beneficiary
Translation Requirement: All documents in foreign languages must have certified English translations. Bring both originals and copies to interview.
Total Fees: I-130 ($535) + Immigrant Visa ($325) + Affidavit of Support ($120) = $980 approximately
The only difference is marriage duration at time of green card issuance
At the time green card is issued/you enter U.S.
90 days before 2nd anniversary of green card:
After approval: Receive 10-year permanent green card
Important: Failure to file I-751 on time results in automatic termination of status!
At the time green card is issued/you enter U.S.
Simply renew every 10 years:
Citizenship: Apply after 3 years as spouse of U.S. citizen
Advantage: Cleaner, simpler path with no conditions to remove!
| Factor | CR-1 (Married <2 Years) | IR-1 (Married 2+ Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage Duration | Less than 2 years at entry | 2 years or more at entry |
| Green Card Type | 2-year conditional | 10-year permanent |
| Application Process | Identical - Same I-130 petition | |
| Processing Time | Identical - 12-18 months | |
| Initial Rights | Identical - Work, travel, live freely | |
| Work Authorization | Immediate upon entry | |
| Travel Freedom | Immediate upon entry | |
| Removing Conditions | Required - File I-751 after 2 years | Not needed |
| Additional Fees | I-751 fee ($680) | None |
| Path to Citizenship | Apply after 3 years | |
| If Divorced | Must prove waiver grounds | Status unaffected |
Both CR-1 and IR-1 are GREAT options because:
The ONLY difference:
Common questions about CR-1/IR-1 spouse visa
The difference is purely based on how long you've been married at the time your green card is issued:
Important: Both provide the same immediate benefits (work authorization, travel freedom, permanent residency). The application process is identical. You don't choose which one—USCIS assigns based on your marriage date.
Total processing time from I-130 filing to visa issuance is typically 12-18 months. Here's the breakdown:
| Stage | Processing Time | Details |
|---|---|---|
| I-130 Filing | 2-4 weeks | Receipt notice issued |
| I-130 Approval | 8-12 months | Varies by service center |
| NVC Processing | 2-4 weeks | Case assignment |
| Document Submission | 1-2 months | Your responsibility |
| Interview Scheduling | 1-3 months | Varies by embassy |
| Visa Issuance | 5-10 days | After interview approval |
| TOTAL TIMELINE | 12-18 months | |
Note: Processing times vary by USCIS service center and embassy workload. Some cases may be faster or slower. Check current processing times at USCIS.gov.
This is one of the most important decisions. Here's a comprehensive comparison:
| Factor | K-1 Fiancé Visa | CR-1/IR-1 Spouse Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Marital Status | Not yet married | Already married |
| Initial Processing | 6-12 months | 12-18 months |
| Entry Status | Temporary (K-1) | Permanent Resident |
| Work Upon Entry | No (must apply for EAD) | Yes, immediately |
| Travel After Entry | No (need advance parole) | Yes, immediately |
| Adjustment of Status | Required after marriage | Not needed |
| Total to Green Card | 18-30 months | 12-18 months |
| Total Cost | ~$2,500+ | ~$1,260 |
| Wedding Location | Must marry in U.S. | Can marry anywhere |
Yes! This is one of the biggest advantages of CR-1/IR-1.
| Visa Type | Work Authorization |
|---|---|
| CR-1/IR-1 | Immediate upon entry |
| K-1 Fiancé | Must apply for EAD (3-5 months wait) |
| K-3 Spouse | Must apply for EAD (3-6 months wait) |
Pro Tip: Your spouse can apply for a Social Security Number immediately upon entry, which most employers will request along with the green card.
The U.S. citizen petitioner must show income at 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for household size.
| Household Size | Minimum Annual Income |
|---|---|
| 2 persons (you + spouse) | $25,000 |
| 3 persons | $31,550 |
| 4 persons | $38,100 |
| 5 persons | $44,650 |
Important: The Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) is a legally binding contract. The sponsor is responsible for supporting the immigrant until they become a U.S. citizen, work 40 quarters, or leave the U.S. permanently.
The consular interview is the final step before visa issuance. Here's what to expect:
About Your Relationship:
About Your Plans:
If Approved:
If Additional Processing:
Schedule a free consultation with our CR-1/IR-1 visa specialists to get personalized answers and expert guidance for your case.
CR-1/IR-1 is the smartest choice for married couples seeking permanent residency. Our experienced immigration consultants streamline every step—from I-130 filing to green card arrival—ensuring your petition is complete, properly documented, and positioned for approval. Get immediate work authorization, travel freedom, and permanent residency from day one.
Family immigration experts • Best choice for married couples
Permanent residency from day one
No EAD applications needed
International travel from entry
Proven CR-1/IR-1 expertise
Compare CR-1/IR-1 with alternative visa options
For couples not yet married who want to marry in the United States within 90 days of entry.
Temporary visa for married couples awaiting CR-1/IR-1 approval. Rarely recommended today.
For U.S. citizens 21+ to bring their parents to the U.S. as immediate relatives with green card.