Indian applicants · United States of America
Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) for Indian citizens
Permanent residence for the spouse of a US citizen (IR1/CR1) or lawful permanent resident (F2A preference).
This page covers the Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) specifically for Indian applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to India. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 7 months – 2.5 years
- Government fees
- I-130 USD 675 (paper) / USD 625 (online); DS-260 USD 325 (consular); I-485 USD 1,440 (adjustment); I-751 USD 750.
- Typical duration
- Permanent residence (conditional 2-year CR1 converts to 10-year card via I-751).
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
No nationality-specific treaty frameworks apply to this combination.
Consular processing: Mumbai / New Delhi / Chennai / Hyderabad / Kolkata
Tourist entry vs. this route
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into United States of America. The Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Key figures for Indian applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
7 months – 2.5 years
I-130 + I-485 adjustment of status commonly runs 10–18 months. I-130 + consular processing (DS-260) varies by post: 12–30 months end-to-end for preference-category spouses of LPRs.
Verified 1 June 2026 · USCIS — Green Card for Family Members of U.S. Citizens →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival on H-1B (3 years) → PERM + I-140 (1-2 years) → I-485 / Green Card (current for most categories, 7-15+ years for India EB-2) → citizenship at PR+5 years.
Leads to Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card), then U.S. citizenship (naturalisation).
Visa overview
US citizens may sponsor spouses as immediate relatives (IR1 for marriages over 2 years, CR1 for newer marriages with conditional residence). Lawful permanent residents sponsor spouses in the F2A preference category, which is subject to annual numerical limits but has generally remained current in recent years. All categories require a bona fide marriage and a financial sponsor meeting the I-864 support threshold.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Valid marriage recognised in the jurisdiction where it took place and for US immigration purposes.
- ✓Petitioner is a US citizen or lawful permanent resident.
- ✓Sponsor meets the I-864 income threshold (125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines).
Common blockers
- !Insufficient evidence of a bona fide marriage (commingled finances, joint leases, etc.).
- !Sponsor income below threshold without a qualifying joint sponsor.
Typical evidence
- ·Marriage certificate and divorce/death certificates for any prior marriages.
- ·Evidence of shared life (leases, finances, photos, correspondence).
- ·Form I-864 Affidavit of Support with tax returns.
Application pathway
File I-130 petition
US citizen or LPR files Form I-130 establishing the qualifying relationship.
Adjust status or consular process
Spouses inside the US file I-485; spouses abroad process via NVC and consulate.
Attend interview
USCIS or consular officer assesses marriage bona fides.
Remove conditions (CR1)
File I-751 within 90 days before the 2-year conditional card expires.
Other United States of America routes covered for Indian applicants
H-1B Specialty Occupation
Employer-sponsored non-immigrant visa for specialty occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher.
L-1A Intracompany Transferee (Executive or Manager)
Intracompany transfer for executives or managers moving to a US office of a related multinational employer.
L-1B Intracompany Transferee (Specialised Knowledge)
Intracompany transfer for employees with specialised knowledge of the employer’s products, services, or processes.
O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, athletics (O-1A) or the arts/film/television (O-1B).
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability (Immigrant)
Employment-based first-preference green card for individuals with extraordinary ability — self-petitionable.
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)
Second-preference green card with a waiver of the job offer and PERM labor certification, where the beneficiary’s work is in the US national interest.
EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers
Third-preference employment-based green card requiring employer sponsorship and PERM labor certification.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Permanent residence through investment in a new US commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs.
F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT)
Non-immigrant student visa for academic study at a SEVP-certified institution, with post-study OPT employment authorisation.
K-1 Fiancé(e) of US Citizen
Non-immigrant visa allowing the fiancé(e) of a US citizen to enter the US to marry within 90 days and then apply for a green card.
Not sure United States of America is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer family routes that Indian nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Indian citizens eligible for the Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A)?+
Eligibility for the Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) is set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and is not nationality-restricted. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Indian applicants typically file the Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A)?+
Mumbai / New Delhi / Chennai / Hyderabad / Kolkata. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Indian applicants need a tourist visa for United States of America as well?+
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into United States of America. The Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
How long does the Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) take to process from India?+
The typical published decision window is 7 months – 2.5 years. Indian applicants usually file via Mumbai / New Delhi / Chennai / Hyderabad / Kolkata, and consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: USCIS — Green Card for Family Members of U.S. Citizens, verified 1 June 2026.
How long until permanent residence in United States of America?+
Arrival on H-1B (3 years) → PERM + I-140 (1-2 years) → I-485 / Green Card (current for most categories, 7-15+ years for India EB-2) → citizenship at PR+5 years. The route leads to Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card), then U.S. citizenship (naturalisation). See USCIS — Citizenship and Naturalization for the qualifying-residence rules.
Is the F2A category current?+
F2A for spouses of permanent residents has mostly been current in recent years, meaning visa numbers are generally available. Priority-date movement can still change — always check the latest Department of State visa bulletin.