United States of America · Processing time
Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A): how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
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.
How long does the Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) take to process in United States?
The typical published decision window is 7 months – 2.5 years from a complete application. 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 against USCIS — Green Card for Family Members of U.S. Citizens on 1 June 2026.
Typical wait
7 months – 2.5 years
from complete application
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.
Last checked
1 June 2026
What is the Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A)?
Permanent residence for the spouse of a US citizen (IR1/CR1) or lawful permanent resident (F2A preference).
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.
- Sponsorship: You need a job offer or employer sponsor in United States of America.
- Settlement: This route can lead to permanent residency in United States of America.
- Typical permit length: Permanent residence (conditional 2-year CR1 converts to 10-year card via I-751).
- Indicative 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.
How to read this estimate
The 7 months – 2.5 years window is the time USCIS — Green Card for Family Members of U.S. Citizens typically associates with the Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) — measured from a complete, correctly-lodged application through to a decision, not from when you start gathering documents.
- Collecting documents, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the clock starts.
- If the authority requests more information, the clock pauses until you reply — so a fast, complete response keeps your place in the queue.
- Processing times shift with application volumes and policy changes. The USCIS — Green Card for Family Members of U.S. Citizens page linked below is the only figure that is current on the day you apply.
Official source
USCIS — Green Card for Family Members of U.S. Citizens
https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-immediate-relatives-of-us-citizen
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) take to process?+
The typical wait is 7 months – 2.5 years from submitting a complete application. 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. These figures come from USCIS — Green Card for Family Members of U.S. Citizens and were last verified on 2026-06-01. Always confirm on the primary source before you apply.
When does the 7 months – 2.5 years clock start?+
The clock starts when USCIS — Green Card for Family Members of U.S. Citizens receives a complete, valid application — not when you begin collecting documents. Gathering evidence, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the window starts.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
Some United States routes offer a priority or premium service for an additional fee. Check the linked primary source for current options — availability changes and varies by consular post.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) application as delayed?+
Wait until you have passed the upper end of the published window (7 months – 2.5 years) before treating it as delayed. At that point, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Do not chase repeatedly, as this tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Full visa guide
Eligibility, application steps, fees, and FAQs for the Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A).
All United States processing times
Compare decision windows across every United States visa route.
Government fees breakdown
Full itemised fee schedule for the Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A).
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.