Bring your spouse to the United States.
The CR-1 and IR-1 spouse visas let the husband or wife of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident immigrate to the U.S. and become a green-card holder — handled end to end, from petition to approval.
- The spouse visa (CR-1/IR-1). An immigrant visa processed at a U.S. consulate; your spouse enters the United States as a lawful permanent resident.
- Citizens and green-card holders can sponsor. Both U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can petition for a spouse.
- We handle the whole filing. The I-130 petition, the DS-260 immigrant visa application, and the I-864 affidavit of support.
- Relationship evidence done right. We build the evidence packet, manage NVC follow-ups, and prepare you for the consular interview.
- From intake to approval. A licensed U.S. immigration attorney stays on your file the entire way.
The spouse visa (CR-1 / IR-1)
The CR-1 and IR-1 are immigrant visas for the foreign-born spouses of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents — and, for nearly every married couple, the best route to bring a spouse to the United States. The visa is issued at a U.S. consulate in the spouse's home country; on entry to the United States, your spouse becomes a lawful permanent resident, with no separate green-card application to file afterward.
- CR-1 (Conditional Resident): issued when the marriage is less than two years old at entry. The two-year condition is later removed with Form I-751.
- IR-1 (Immediate Relative): issued when the marriage is two years or older at entry — a ten-year green card, no conditions.
If you are not yet married, the practical answer is usually simple: marry, then pursue the spouse visa. It is faster and cleaner than the alternative (see the note on the K-1 fiancé visa below).
How the spouse-visa process works
- Petition. The U.S. citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130 for the spouse with USCIS.
- National Visa Center / consular prep. We prepare the immigrant visa application (DS-260) and the affidavit of support (I-864), and assemble the civil and financial documents.
- Consular interview. Your spouse attends an interview at the U.S. consulate in their country of residence.
- Entry to the U.S. Your spouse enters as a lawful permanent resident — no further green-card filing required.
How we help
We prepare and review every form and exhibit, build the relationship-evidence packet, manage NVC follow-ups, prepare you and your spouse for the interview, and respond to any Requests for Evidence. A licensed U.S. immigration attorney stays on the file from intake through approval.
Tell us about your case.
A licensed U.S. immigration attorney reviews every inquiry — usually within one business day. All inquiries are confidential. Sending this form does not create an attorney-client relationship until we have agreed to represent you in writing.
Common questions.
What's the difference between a CR-1 and an IR-1?
Both are immigrant visas for spouses. A CR-1 is issued when the marriage is under two years old at entry (a two-year conditional green card, later made permanent with Form I-751). An IR-1 is issued when the marriage is two years or older at entry — a ten-year green card, no conditions.
Can a green-card holder sponsor a spouse?
Yes. Both U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can petition for a spouse with Form I-130. A citizen's spouse is an immediate relative with no annual wait line; a permanent resident's spouse falls under the family-preference categories.
What if my spouse is already in the U.S.?
If your spouse entered lawfully and is otherwise eligible, adjustment of status (Form I-485) may be available from inside the United States. See the PowerVisa Green Card page.
Does income matter?
Yes. The petitioner must meet the I-864 affidavit-of-support income threshold for the household size. A joint sponsor can be used if income is below the threshold.
A note on the K-1 fiancé visa. For couples who are engaged but not yet married, a K-1 fiancé visa is a separate route — but it is the last option we recommend. The K-1 requires a second, separate green-card (adjustment-of-status) filing after the wedding, and recent policy changes have made it slower and more burdensome. For nearly all couples, marrying and pursuing the CR-1/IR-1 spouse visa is faster, less expensive, and simpler. If you believe the K-1 is right for your situation, we're glad to talk it through — get in touch.
Bring your spouse home.
Free consultation with a U.S. immigration attorney. No obligation.