If you’re a U.S. citizen married to a foreign national, you can sponsor your spouse for a green card through the CR-1 or IR-1 marriage visa. Both allow your spouse to immigrate to the United States as a lawful permanent resident, but which one you get depends entirely on how long you’ve been married when the visa is issued.
CR-1 vs. IR-1: What’s the Difference?
The distinction comes down to timing, not eligibility:
IR-1 (Immediate Relative Visa): Issued if you’ve been married 2 years or more at the time your spouse receives their visa. This grants full, unconditional permanent residency.
CR-1 (Conditional Resident Visa): Issued if you’ve been married less than 2 years. This grants conditional permanent residency valid for two years.
If a CR-1 is approved at the interview but your two-year anniversary passes before your spouse actually enters the U.S., officers will typically admit them as an IR-1 holder instead, giving them the unconditional green card right away.
For CR-1 holders, the conditions must be removed before the two-year card expires. This requires filing Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence), generally jointly with your spouse, during the 90-day window before expiration. Failing to file in time can put your spouse’s status at risk, so this deadline matters.
Who Qualifies
To sponsor your spouse, you need to show:
You are a U.S. citizen (lawful permanent residents can also sponsor spouses, though the process and visa category differ).
Your marriage is legally valid in the country where it took place.
Your marriage is bona fide — meaning it was entered into for a genuine relationship, not solely for immigration purposes.
Proof of a bona fide marriage typically includes joint bank accounts, shared leases or mortgages, insurance policies naming each other, photos together over time, and affidavits from friends or family.
The Application Process
The core steps are the same regardless of whether you end up with a CR-1 or IR-1:
File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS, along with Form I-130A if your spouse is abroad.
Wait for USCIS approval, after which the case moves to the National Visa Center (NVC).
Submit Form DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa Application) through the NVC.
File Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support), proving you meet at least 125% of the HHS Poverty Guidelines for your household size. If your income falls short, a joint sponsor can help meet the requirement.
Pay fees, including the Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee ($325) and the Affidavit of Support Fee ($120).
Complete a medical exam and gather civil documents (marriage certificate, police certificates, passport-style photos).
Attend the visa interview at a U.S. consulate abroad (or with USCIS if adjusting status from inside the U.S.).
If your spouse is already lawfully in the U.S., they may instead pursue adjustment of status, which allows them to remain in the country throughout processing rather than doing a consular interview overseas.
Processing Times
As of 2026, the complete process — from filing Form I-130 to visa approval — typically takes 14 to 24 months, though this varies by USCIS workload, the National Visa Center’s pace, and the specific consulate handling the case. Couples should expect this to be a marathon rather than a sprint and should keep documentation organized from the very start.
Key Takeaways
IR-1 is unconditional; CR-1 is conditional and requires the I-751 filing to remove conditions.
The application forms, fees, and interview process are otherwise nearly identical.
Meeting the financial sponsorship threshold and proving a genuine marriage are the two most scrutinized parts of the process.
Plan for well over a year of processing time, and file the I-751 promptly if you receive a CR-1.
This guide is for general informational purposes. Immigration rules change frequently, so confirm current fees, forms, and thresholds directly with USCIS or the U.S. Department of State before applying.