Family-based green card
IR-1 Visa: The Green Card for a Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (2026)
The IR-1 visa is the immigrant visa — the green card — for the foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen. "IR" stands for Immediate Relative. If your marriage is two years old or more at the moment your spouse is admitted to the United States, they enter as a lawful permanent resident and receive a 10-year green card with no strings attached.
That two-year mark is the whole story, and it is the thing most people are really searching for when they look up "IR-1 visa." This page explains what the IR-1 is, how it differs from the CR-1, the process to get it, and where to find the current fees and timelines.
IR-1 vs. CR-1: The 2-Year Rule
IR-1 and CR-1 are not two different visas you choose between. They are the same spouse-of-a-U.S.-citizen immigrant visa. The government assigns the label based on one fact: how long you have been married when your spouse is admitted as a permanent resident.
- Married two years or more at admission → IR-1. Your spouse gets a standard 10-year green card and becomes a full lawful permanent resident. No extra step tied to the marriage.
- Married less than two years at admission → CR-1. Your spouse gets a 2-year conditional green card and later has to file Form I-751 to remove the conditions and keep permanent status.
| IR-1 | CR-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Applies when | Married 2+ years at admission | Married under 2 years at admission |
| Green card | 10-year | 2-year (conditional) |
| Extra step | None specific to the marriage | Must file I-751 to remove conditions |
| Rights to live, work, travel | Full | Full (identical while the card is valid) |
Two things worth knowing:
- You do not pick. Your length of marriage at admission decides it for you.
- The clock is measured at admission, not at filing. Because these cases take time, a couple who files at 18 months of marriage can cross the two-year mark before the visa is issued — and end up with an IR-1 instead of a CR-1.
For the full side-by-side, including exactly how the conditional-residence step works, see our CR-1 spouse visa page. If your spouse does receive a conditional card, our guide on removing conditions with Form I-751 walks through that stage.
Who Qualifies for an IR-1 Visa
To pursue an IR-1, the case generally needs to meet these conditions:
- The petitioner is a U.S. citizen (not a permanent resident — that would be a different category).
- The couple is legally married, and the marriage is two years old or more at the time of admission.
- The marriage is bona fide — entered in good faith, not to obtain immigration benefits.
- The U.S. citizen spouse can meet the financial sponsorship requirement (the Affidavit of Support).
- The foreign spouse is admissible to the United States.
The IR-1 Process: How It Works
The IR-1 is an immigrant visa obtained through consular processing — meaning the foreign spouse is generally abroad and finishes the case at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The path looks like this:
- File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. The U.S. citizen spouse files this to establish the marriage relationship.
- USCIS review. USCIS adjudicates the I-130 and may issue a Request for Evidence.
- National Visa Center (NVC). Once the I-130 is approved, the case moves to the NVC for fee payment, form submission, and document collection.
- Affidavit of Support (Form I-864). The U.S. citizen sponsor documents that they meet the income requirement.
- Immigrant visa application (DS-260) and gathering of civil documents, police certificates, and the medical exam.
- Consular interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Visa issuance and entry. On admission to the U.S., your spouse becomes a permanent resident.
- Green card in the mail — the 10-year card, since the marriage was two years or older at admission.
Fees and Timeline
We do not publish specific dollar amounts or a fixed timeline here, because both are set by the government and change over time. Use the official tools so you always see current figures:
- Filing fees: the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) lists the current government filing fees. These are government fees only — not Altius Law attorney fees.
- Timeline: the USCIS processing times tool shows current I-130 processing times, which are the biggest variable in how long an IR-1 case takes.
IR-1 Visa FAQ
What is an IR-1 visa?
The IR-1 is the immigrant visa (green card) for the spouse of a U.S. citizen when the couple has been married two years or more at the time of admission. The spouse enters as a permanent resident and receives a 10-year green card.
What is the difference between an IR-1 and a CR-1 visa?
It is the length of the marriage at admission. Two years or more produces an IR-1 and a 10-year green card. Less than two years produces a CR-1 and a 2-year conditional green card that later requires Form I-751 to remove conditions. See our CR-1 spouse visa page.
Does an IR-1 holder need to remove conditions?
No. Because the marriage was already two years or older at admission, an IR-1 holder receives unconditional permanent residence and does not file Form I-751. That step applies only to CR-1 conditional residents — see removing conditions with Form I-751.
Can my spouse work right away?
Yes. An IR-1 holder is a permanent resident on arrival and can live and work in the United States immediately, without a separate work permit.
How long does the IR-1 process take, and what does it cost?
Both depend on current government figures. Check the USCIS processing times tool for the current timeline and the USCIS fee schedule (G-1055) for current filing fees.
Can my spouse's children immigrate too?
Often, yes. Unmarried children under 21 may be eligible to immigrate as derivatives. Whether and how they are included depends on the facts, which is worth reviewing with an attorney.
Talk to a Family Immigration Attorney
Whether your case is heading toward an IR-1 or a CR-1 — and, if it is a CR-1, making sure the I-751 is filed correctly and on time — an immigration attorney can map out the exact steps and timeline for your situation.
- Learn more about our family-based immigration services
- Compare the two spouse green cards on our CR-1 spouse visa page
- Contact Altius Law to schedule a consultation
This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees, and processing times are set by USCIS and the U.S. Department of State and can change; the descriptions here are current as of July 2026. Always confirm current fees on the USCIS fee schedule (G-1055) and current timelines on the USCIS processing times tool. For advice on your specific case, contact Altius Law.