IR-1 / CR-1 Visa

The IR-1 (Immediate Relative) and CR-1 (Conditional Resident) visas give foreign spouses of U.S. citizens a direct route to a marriage-based green card, delivering permanent residency and family unity without numerical quotas.

Who is the Visa for?

  • Lawfully wedded spouses of U.S. citizens (same-sex and opposite-sex)

  • Eligible step-children may accompany as derivatives (IR-2 / CR-2)

Eligibility Requirements

  • Valid marriage recognized in the place where it occurred (common-law accepted if valid locally)

  • U.S. citizen petitioner files Form I-130 and signs an Affidavit of Support (I-864)

  • A couple can marry, and any prior marriages have been legally terminated

  • Completes USCIS approval plus National Visa Center (NVC) fees, documents, and consular interview

Visa Duration:

  • CR-1: 2-year conditional green card; file I-751 at 22–24 months

  • IR-1: 10-year green card; renewable, citizenship eligible after 3 years

Processing Time:

  • USCIS (I-130 petition): ~10–14 months

  • NVC + Consular Processing: ~3–6 months

  • Total: About 13–20 months on average

OpenSphere Services:

  • I-130 and I-864 preparation with error-proof checklists

  • Digital exhibit packaging for NVC upload

  • Consular interview coaching for both spouses

  • Seamless I-751 removal-of-conditions support