You want to live together in the United States. The U.S. spousal visa is the direct route to make that happen. With the right documents, clean timelines, and honest answers, you can move from long-distance to life together.
This updated 2026 guide breaks the process into simple steps you can follow. You will learn exactly what the CR1/IR1 spousal visa is, who qualifies, what proof to submit, how long it takes, how much it costs, and how to avoid delays. Stay organized, be consistent, and you will get there.
What is the U.S. Spousal Visa and Who Is It For
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The U.S. spousal immigrant visa lets a foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident move to the United States as a permanent resident. At the consulate stage, it is issued as a CR1 or IR1 visa. After entry, the spouse receives a physical green card.
CR1 – Conditional resident. Marriage under 2 years at time of approval. Green card valid 2 years.
IR1 – Immediate relative. Marriage 2 years or longer. Green card valid 10 years.
There are two main paths:
Consular processing – Spouse is outside the U.S. This guide focuses on this route.
Adjustment of Status – Spouse is inside the U.S. and files Form I-485 after Form I-130 approval or concurrently in some cases.
Requirements: Who Is Eligible
You must show your marriage is legally valid and genuine, and that the sponsoring spouse can support the immigrant financially.
Valid marriage recognized where it was performed. Provide a government-issued marriage certificate.
Qualifying sponsor – U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, age 18 or older, domiciled in the U.S.
Bona fide relationship – Evidence your marriage is real, not for immigration. Think shared life and ongoing contact.
Financial support – Sponsor must meet at least 125% of the U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines with Form I-864. Joint sponsors are allowed if needed.
No prohibitions – Disclose prior marriages with divorce or death certificates. Address any criminal history or prior immigration violations truthfully.
Common Evidence of a Real Marriage
Photos together over time, with family and friends
The U.S. sponsor starts the case by filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. File online or by mail. Include relationship evidence and identity documents.
Required items typically include marriage certificate, passport biographical pages, proof of sponsor’s citizenship or green card, proof of legal termination of any prior marriages, and evidence the relationship is genuine.
Keep copies of everything you submit. Consistency across all stages matters.
Track your case on the USCIS website using your receipt number.
Step 2: USCIS Approval and Transfer to the NVC
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After USCIS approves the I-130, the case goes to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC creates a case number and requests fees and forms. You will:
Pay the Affidavit of Support fee and the Immigrant Visa fee via the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
Submit the DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application online for the spouse.
Upload the Form I-864 Affidavit of Support with financial evidence.
Upload civil documents: police certificates, birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport, divorce decrees if any, and translations where required.
Respond quickly and completely. Missing documents are the top reason cases stall at NVC.
Step 3: Medical Exam and Interview Scheduling
Once the NVC is satisfied, it schedules the interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. Before the interview, the spouse must complete a medical exam with a U.S.-approved panel physician and obtain required vaccinations.
Bring the medical results to the interview if the physician provides a sealed envelope.
Double-check local embassy instructions for photo sizes, courier registration, or local document rules.
Step 4: Visa Interview at the Embassy or Consulate
The consular officer will confirm identity, review your documents, and ask questions about your relationship. Honesty and consistency are critical.
Carry interview letter, passport, DS-260 confirmation page, medical results, police certificates, civil documents, and updated relationship evidence.
Be ready to discuss your relationship timeline, living arrangements, and future plans in the U.S.
If approved, the spouse’s passport will be returned with an immigrant visa and a sealed packet or electronic processing notice. Follow the instructions provided.
Step 5: Enter the U.S. and Receive the Green Card
After visa issuance, the spouse must enter the U.S. before the visa expiry. On arrival, U.S. Customs and Border Protection admits the spouse as a permanent resident. The green card is produced and mailed after paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee.
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If you have been married less than two years at the time of admission, you will receive a conditional 2-year green card and must later remove conditions with Form I-751.
Processing times vary by USCIS service center and consulate. In 2026, most spousal consular cases take roughly 10 to 16 months from I-130 filing to U.S. entry, though some are faster and some take longer. Factors that influence timing include caseloads, background checks, document completeness, and local embassy backlogs.
Check USCIS processing times for Form I-130 by service center.
Monitor your NVC case status in CEAC.
Watch your email for NVC and embassy instructions.
Fees in 2026
Expect the following core costs. Amounts can change, so verify before paying.
USCIS Form I-130 filing fee: commonly $675 by mail or $625 online. See USCIS for current fees.
NVC fees: Immigrant visa processing fee $325 and Affidavit of Support fee $120.
Medical exam: varies by country and provider.
USCIS Immigrant Fee for green card production after visa issuance: typically $220.
Translations, courier, police certificates, travel, and passport photos as applicable.
Note: Department of State fees are paid in CEAC. The USCIS Immigrant Fee is paid online before or soon after U.S. entry to avoid delays in green card delivery.
Tips for Approval and Common Pitfalls
Over-document the relationship – Submit varied, dated evidence that spans your relationship. Quality and timeline matter.
Meet the income requirement – Use the latest Federal Poverty Guidelines for household size. Add a joint sponsor if needed.
Answer consistently – Ensure information on I-130, DS-260, I-864, and at the interview matches.
Do not miss requests – Respond to USCIS RFEs and NVC checklists quickly and fully.
Follow embassy-specific rules – Photo sizes, document formats, and police certificate sources can differ by country.
Disclose everything – Prior marriages, immigration history, and arrests must be reported with documents. Omissions cause long delays or refusals.
Post-Arrival: What To Do After You Land
Receive your green card – It arrives by mail after paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee.
Get your Social Security Number – Many applicants request SSN during DS-260. If not, apply at a Social Security office after entry.
Conditional residents – If you entered with CR1, file Form I-751 to remove conditions in the 90-day window before the 2-year card expires. Include updated relationship evidence.
Travel – You can travel with your passport and green card. Keep trip records and maintain U.S. residence.
Work – Permanent residents can work for any employer in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.
FAQs
Is there a deadline to apply in 2026?
No fixed deadline. You can file any year. Visit the official websites for current forms, fees, and instructions.
What is the difference between K-1 fiance visa and CR1/IR1 spousal visa?
K-1 brings a fiance to the U.S. to marry, then adjust status. CR1/IR1 is for those already married and grants permanent residence upon entry. CR1/IR1 often leads to faster work authorization and fewer total fees after entry.
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Can we expedite the case?
Possibly, for urgent humanitarian, medical, military, or other compelling reasons. Expedite decisions are discretionary. Provide strong evidence and request through USCIS or NVC, depending on where your case is pending.
How much income is required?
At least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size. Use the latest year’s chart. If the sponsor does not meet the threshold with income and assets, a joint sponsor can file a separate I-864.
What if my spouse is already in the U.S.?
You may be able to file for Adjustment of Status with Form I-485 instead of consular processing, if eligible. This path can allow work and travel permission while the green card is pending.
Do we need police certificates?
Yes, for each country where the beneficiary lived for required time periods, as listed on the Department of State reciprocity page. Follow the consulate’s instructions carefully.
What happens if the visa is refused under 221(g)?
This is a temporary refusal for missing documents or administrative processing. Submit the requested items quickly and monitor CEAC status. Many 221(g) cases are resolved once the file is complete.
Interview attended with original documents and updated proof
USCIS Immigrant Fee paid, entry to the U.S., green card delivered
Final Take
You can do this. Break the process into steps, send complete documents, and keep timelines tight. Start your I-130, follow the NVC checklist, prepare for the interview, and you will be welcoming your spouse to the U.S. soon. Apply now and move forward together.
