CR1 and IR1 Spouse Visas, Explained

What Are Spousal Visas?

A CR1 spouse visa (also called IR1) is a green card that allows someone from another country to live in the U.S. with their spouse, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

If you’ve been married for less than two years, you might get a CR-1 visa (conditional resident), and if you’ve been married for two years or more, you might get an IR1 visa (immediate relative).

The latest wait time for a spousal visa is approximately months; however, it’s much longer for foreign nationals married to green card holders in the U.S. The CR-1 visa is now considered the common alternative to the K-3 visa.

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What Is the CR-1 Visa?

CR1 (or Conditional Resident) visas are given to applicants who, when arriving in the United States with their green card, have been married to a U.S. citizen for less than two years. These visas are granted on a “conditional” basis. Two years after they arrive in the United States, the beneficiary and their U.S. citizen spouse must apply to remove the conditions from the green card, at which point they will receive an updated 10-year permanent resident card.

What Is the IR-1 Visa?

On the other hand, IR1 (or Immediate Relative) visas are given to beneficiaries who have been married to U.S. citizens for more than two years when their green card is approved. In this case, the IR1 holder doesn’t need to remove conditions (as there are none) and will have ten years before they need to renew their permanent resident card.

Which Is Better, IR-1 or CR-1?

While CR-1 and IR-1 visas provide similar rights and privileges to beneficiaries, they follow different timelines.

A CR-1 visa is issued when the couple has been married for less than two years at the time the green card is approved. This means the green card is “conditional” and is only valid for two years, after which the foreign spouse applies for removal of conditions to receive a 10-year green card.

An IR-1 visa is issued when the couple has been married for two years or more at the time the green card is approved. This means the green card is valid for 10 years, and the foreign spouse will not need to apply to remove conditions.

CR-1 Visas Vs IR-1 Visas

CR-1 / IR-1 Visa Processing Time

The current wait time for a CR-1 or IR-1 visa averages months, although the IR-1 / CR-1 processing time will vary depending on whether you are married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder.

The processing time for I-130 will also vary greatly depending on the service center. The average processing time for Form I-130 is around 16 months. This estimate is based on analysis by Boundless partner Track My Visa Now, who tracks wait times in real time, giving the most up-to-date estimates for Form I-130 petitions filed today.

If you’re not married to a U.S. citizen, you may have to wait a while before a visa becomes available. You can check the Visa Bulletin to get a sense of wait times.

Which visa is faster, CR-1 or IR-1?

The CR1 and IR1 visas have the same processing time since both are immigrant visas for spouses of U.S. citizens. The difference between them lies in the length of the marriage when the visa is issued: the CR1 visa i issued if the marriage is less than two years old, while the IR1 visa is issued if the marriage is two years or older.

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CR-1 / IR-1 Requirements

To qualify for a CR1 / IR1 visa, you must apply via “consular processing.” Here are the visa types that use consular processing:

• CR1 / IR1 spouse and the accompanying CR2/IR2 child when the sponsor is a U.S. citizen
• F2A category (F21 spouse; F22 child) when the sponsor is a legal permanent resident (aka green card holder)

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An IR-1 / CR-1 visa allows a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (green card holder) to sponsor their foreign spouse to come to the United States.

Specific requirements include:

• The sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
• The couple must be lawfully married and provide a valid marriage certificate.
• The authenticity of the marriage must be proven with evidence, for example, with photographs, flight itineraries, and so on. For more information, see this Boundless guide on proving your marriage is real.
• The sponsor must pledge to support their spouse and file an affidavit of support financially. They must have the means to support their household at 125% of the federal poverty level. If the sponsor doesn’t meet the income requirements, they can use a joint sponsor.
• The sponsor must have a U.S. domicile, meaning they must either live in the United States or prove they plan to return to the United States with their foreign spouse. See our Boundless guide on proving domicile.

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CR-1 / IR-1 Cost

Whether you’re applying for an IR-1 or a CR-1, the costs can be broken down into 4 basic categories:

Filing Form I-130	$675 ($50 discount for online filing)
Processing the Immigrant Visa Application (DS-260)	$325
Immigrant Medical Exam	This fee will vary depending on the country but averages between $200 and $500.
Paying Related Costs	You will have to cover costs for acquiring all the related documents and paperwork, including translations, passports, birth certificates, photocopying charges, and associated travel expenses.

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It’s generally a good idea to collect a list of all the anticipated expenses ahead of time. This will help ensure that you have the money on hand when you need it.

Boundless helps you pay government fees over time, so you can get started now and pay later. Guaranteed approval or your money back.  Learn more about what Boundless can do to help.

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The CR-1 / IR-1 Visa Application Process

How to Apply for a CR-1 or IR-1 Visa

To apply for a IR-1 or CR-1 visa, you’ll need to go through consular processing, which means you’ll need to apply and interview at your local U.S. Embassy or consulate. In this section, we’ll provide a step-by-step summary of the CR1/IR1 visa application process. For a more detailed explanation, see our Guide to Consular Processing.

Follow the steps below to apply for a CR-1 or IR-1 visa using consular processing:

• Make sure you’re actually eligible to receive a green card. Most importantly, you’ll need to be able to show that you’re in an authentic marriage. Your spouse also should be 18 years or older and “domiciled” in the United States.
• The U.S. citizen sponsor — your spouse — will need to complete and file Form I-130 (officially called the “Petition for Alien Relative”).
• You’ll then need to wait anywhere from a couple of months to over a year for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process the form. If I-130 is approved, you can proceed to the next step.
• If approved, you can check the Visa Bulletin to see whether a green card is available. You can skip this step if you’re married to a U.S. citizen, but otherwise, you may need to wait in “line.” This can take a long time, depending on where you live.
• Your petition will then be processed by the U.S. Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC), where your case will be formally entered into the system.
• The NVC will notify you about any necessary fees and paperwork to be submitted as part of the application process. They will also instruct you to complete Form DS-260 (officially called the “Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration”) — this is the actual green card application, where you will answer questions about yourself, including your work and education history.
• After receiving your paperwork from the NVC, your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate should send you a letter telling you when and where the interview will be conducted.
• You’ll need to get a medical exam with an Embassy-approved physician before attending your interview. You can check the Embassy’s website to find a list of acceptable doctors.
• You’ll need to have all the relevant documentation and your passport when you arrive at your interview. You can contact the Embassy to get a precise list of what you’ll need. You will be expected to answer questions — under oath — about your application.
• If no further inquiries are required, you can expect to hear back either immediately or within about a week of your interview. If approved, you should receive a visa — placed inside your passport — and a sealed envelope with your documents. Do not unseal this envelope. The immigration officer at the border should be the only one who opens it.
• The visa provided by the consular officer will remain valid for 6 months following your medical exam. Once the U.S. border official admits you into the United States — and returns your documents — your visa will be valid for 12 months, allowing you to travel freely in and out of the country. You can expect to receive your final green card during that 12-month period.

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What Happens Next

Once you’ve successfully completed the green card application process, you may receive either a CR1 or IR1 visa, depending on how long you’ve been married at the time of your admission into the United States.

If you have an IR-1 visa, you’ll simply need to renew your green card 10 years after receiving it. But if you’ve been issued a CR-1 visa, you’ll need to apply to remove the conditions from your green card within 90 days of the 2-year anniversary of your arrival in the United States.

Below, we’ll briefly discuss the process for removing conditions from a permanent resident card. For more detailed instructions, see our guide to removal of conditions.

To begin with, both spouses will need to complete and submit Form I-751 (officially called the “Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence”). It’s very important that you submit your application within the 90-day period leading up to the expiration date of the CR-1 green card. If submitted too early, USCIS will simply return the form, and if submitted too late (without explanation), your application could be denied altogether.

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As part of the application, you will need to submit proof that you are in an authentic marriage. USCIS will want to see evidence — similar to the kind used for the initial green card application — that your marriage has continued for the past two years. Evidence might include:

• Statements from a joint bank account
• Birth certificates for any children born during the 2-year period
• Property deeds with both names listed
• Photos from the period in question

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In addition to paying the appropriate fees (see the “Cost” section for a breakdown), you’ll need to provide a copy of your Conditional Residence green card (both front and back).

Boundless stays on top of all government deadlines and news so you don’t have to. We’ll be your immigration partner from beginning to end. Learn more about what Boundless can do to help.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid with CR-1 / IR-1 Visas

1. Incorrect or Missing Documents: Ensure all required documents, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, and financial evidence, are included and properly translated if necessary. Double-check the list of required documents for your application to avoid delays.
2. Submitting Incomplete Forms: Fill out all sections of the visa forms completely and accurately. Missing or incomplete information can lead to processing delays or even rejection.
3. Inconsistent Information: Make sure the details on all forms and supporting documents match exactly, especially names, dates, and addresses. Discrepancies can raise red flags and slow down the process.
4. Insufficient Financial Evidence:When submitting the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), ensure that you meet the minimum income requirements and provide all necessary financial documentation, like tax returns and pay stubs. Insufficient evidence can lead to a Request for Evidence (RFE).
5. Not Keeping Copies of Submitted Documents: Always make copies of every document and form you submit. This will help if USCIS asks for additional information or if something gets lost in processing.
6. Failing to Attend Required Appointments: Missing the visa interview or biometrics appointment without prior notice can lead to your application being delayed or denied. Make sure to attend all scheduled appointments.
7. Not Monitoring Application Status: Regularly check your application status on the USCIS website or the National Visa Center (NVC) portal. This helps you stay updated on any required actions, like submitting additional documents.
8. Ignoring Conditional Residency Requirements (CR-1): For CR-1 visa holders, forgetting to file Form I-751 to remove conditions on residency within the 90-day window before your green card expires can result in losing your status. Mark your calendar and file the petition on time.
9. Not Updating USCIS on Address Changes: If you move, inform USCIS within 10 days to avoid missing important notifications like Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or interview appointments.

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Spousal Visa FAQs

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