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United States of America · family · Leads to settlement

Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A)

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Permanent residence for the spouse of a US citizen (IR1/CR1) or lawful permanent resident (F2A preference).

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyPermanent residence (conditional 2-year CR1 converts to 10-year card via I-751).
Processing time
IR1/CR1: consular processing roughly 12–18 months. Adjustment of status inside US: 8–15 months.
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
Reviewed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ↗

In short

As of 8 July 2026, the Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) for United States of America is a sponsor-led United States immigration route. Sources: official United States of America government pages, reviewed 10 September 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/us/spousal-green-card#answer

What is the Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) in United States of America?

Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) is a sponsor-led United States route. Indicative government fees are I-130 USD 675 (paper) / USD 625 (online); DS-260 USD 325 (consular); I-485 USD 1,440 (adjustment); I-751 USD 750; indicative processing time is IR1/CR1: consular processing roughly 12–18 months. Adjustment of status inside US: 8–15 months; typical duration is Permanent residence (conditional 2-year CR1 converts to 10-year card via I-751). This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on 1 June 2026.

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.

Guidance by nationality

Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. File I-130 petition

    US citizen or LPR files Form I-130 establishing the qualifying relationship.

  2. Adjust status or consular process

    Spouses inside the US file I-485; spouses abroad process via NVC and consulate.

  3. Attend interview

    USCIS or consular officer assesses marriage bona fides.

  4. Remove conditions (CR1)

    File I-751 within 90 days before the 2-year conditional card expires.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check the conditions for your own permission, including work, and keep evidence of the qualifying relationship. The principal applicant’s conditions may differ.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to United States

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in United States. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. ApplySponsor
    File Form I-130 ↗

    The U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse uses Form I-130 to establish the qualifying family relationship.

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · verified

Fees and processing time

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.. The issuing authority does not publish a central processing time for this route, so plan against comparable cases. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.

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Frequently asked questions

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.

What income do I need to sponsor my spouse for a green card?+

The financial sponsor must meet the I-864 Affidavit of Support income threshold of 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. If the sponsor's income is below the threshold, a qualifying joint sponsor may be needed. The I-864 is provided with tax returns as evidence.

Why might my spouse get a 2-year conditional green card, and how does it become permanent?+

For newer marriages, the CR1 category grants a 2-year conditional green card. To convert it to a 10-year card, the couple files Form I-751 to remove conditions within the 90 days before the conditional card expires.

How long does the CR1/IR1 spousal green card take to process?+

For spouses abroad, IR1/CR1 consular processing takes roughly 12 to 18 months. For spouses already inside the US, adjustment of status typically takes 8 to 15 months. Timelines vary, so check the official USCIS source.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

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How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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