CR1 and IR1 Spouse Visas, Explained

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.

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.

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

When the time comes to apply for the removal of conditions, you will eventually need to pay a $750 filing fee (for Form I-751).

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.

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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:

1. 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.
2. The U.S. citizen sponsor — your spouse — will need to complete and file Form I-130 (officially called the “Petition for Alien Relative”).
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.

CR1 and IR1 visas are acquired via consular processing. If you currently reside in the United States, you’ll need to go through the Adjustment of Status (AOS) process, which has its own set of requirements and paperwork.

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.

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

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).

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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.