Send money home
Your first transfer is free and arrives in seconds
Foreigners who wish to reside in the United States have several legal paths to obtain a residence permit. One of them, and perhaps the simplest and most secure, is through a spouse who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
But do you know what the spousal visas are and how they work? Read on to learn more about this great opportunity that the U.S. government offers to foreigners.
What is the CR1 visa?
The **CR1 visa** is one of the visa options issued by the U.S. government for immigrants. This category corresponds to the immigrant visa for a U.S. spouse.
The CR1 visa is granted to individuals who have been married to a U.S. citizen for less than two years. This visa is issued on a conditional basis, and after two years of having entered the United States, the immigrant can apply for permanent residence or a green card.
It is one of the easiest ways to enter and remain in the country legally, and to be able to obtain employment and many other benefits as a permanent resident.
Cost
The **costs to apply for the CR1 visa** depend on each administrative step that must be completed.
The **more or less fixed** and standard fees are:
- USCIS filing: $560,
- NVC filing: $445,
- USCIS Immigrant Fee: $190,
- Medical exam: between $60 and $300,
On the other hand, these costs may be added to expenses for legal assistance, travel, documentation, postage, among others.
Waiting time to obtain the CR1 visa
The **waiting times** to obtain the CR1 visa can vary depending on the visa office's processing delays.
Currently, the time from application to visa issuance is 7 to 10 months. However, these timeframes can vary based on different factors, such as: the foreigner's country of origin, administrative delays at USCIS and the NVC, and the accuracy of the documents submitted for the application.
What is the IR1 visa?
On the other hand, the IR1 visa is the visa for Immediate Relatives. It is a visa granted to those who have been married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident **for more than two years**, from the time their green card was approved.
It differs from the CR1 visa because the spouse is no longer in the "conditional" category, and it makes the foreigner a permanent resident of the country. This visa is valid for 10 years, after which it must be renewed.
Cost
Just as with the CR1 visa, the costs for the IR1 visa include the USCIS filing fees, NVC filing, immigrant fee, and medical exam.
In total, it would be $1,195 dollars excluding costs for medical exams, documentation, passports, travel, and other issues that may arise.
Waiting time to obtain the IR1 visa
This type of visa has no application limit, as every citizen or resident has the right to live in the United States with their spouse.
However, the processing times for this visa are similar to those for the CR1, so you can expect it to be granted within 8 to 10 months.
Difference between CR1 and IR1 spouse visas
While the reasons and application processes for both visas are similar, both categories have their differences. Below, we list the most important ones:
Conditional residence or immediate relative
The main difference we already mentioned above, and it lies in the number of years the foreigner has been married to the United States citizen or resident.
The CR1 visa is granted as conditional residence to those who have not yet been married for two years. The IR1 visa is granted to those who have been married for more than two years, and it also grants permanent resident status to the foreigner.
Waiting time
CR1 visas usually have a higher number of applications and, therefore, a longer delay than the IR1 visa. However, the administrative timelines for both visas are similar.
Removing conditions
While once the IR1 visa is obtained, you also get a residence permit valid for 10 years, **with the CR1 visa you get a residence permit valid for only 2 years.**
To remove the conditions and obtain the 10-year IR1 visa, the holder must file a petition with Form I-751 within the 90-day period before the card expires.
The holder cannot renew their conditional permanent resident card, they can only remove the conditions or they could lose their permanent resident status and be removed from the United States.
Finally, do not forget that before making any application, we suggest consulting with an attorney specializing in immigration procedures and rights regarding the different options you have at your disposal.
Related content
