# Marriage Visa Types: K-1, CR-1, IR-1 — Which One Fits? (2026)

> Altius Immigration Law PLLC is a U.S. immigration law firm in Washington, D.C., serving clients in all 50 states. Principal attorney: André Matias. Practice areas: green cards, family-based immigration, employment-based and temporary work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1), investment visas (E-2), adjustment of status, and citizenship & naturalization.

Source: https://altius.law/blog/marriage-visa-types-improved/

Summary: The marriage visa types compared — K-1 fiancé(e), CR-1 and IR-1 spouse visas, and the marriage green card from inside the U.S. — and how to pick the right one.

There are only a few marriage-based paths into the United States, and which one fits you comes down to **two questions**: are you already married, and where does the sponsored partner live right now? Answer those and the visa type mostly picks itself.

## The Short Version

| Your situation | Your path |
|---|---|
| Engaged; partner abroad; you'll marry in the U.S. | **K-1 fiancé(e) visa** |
| Married; spouse abroad | **CR-1 or IR-1 spouse visa** (consular processing) |
| Married; spouse already in the U.S. | **Marriage green card by adjustment of status** |

## K-1: The Fiancé(e) Visa

The K-1 lets your fiancé(e) enter the U.S. to marry you **within 90 days** of arrival; the green-card application follows the wedding. It fits couples who want to marry in the United States. USCIS describes the process on its [fiancé(e) visa page](https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-of-us-citizens/visas-for-fiancees-of-us-citizens): the petition (Form I-129F), the consular interview, the entry, the marriage, then adjustment of status.

Worth knowing: only **U.S. citizens** can petition for a K-1 — permanent residents cannot — and the 90-day clock is real.

## CR-1 and IR-1: The Spouse Visas

If you're already married and your spouse is abroad, the case starts with the immigrant petition ([green card for the spouse of a U.S. citizen](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-immediate-relatives-of-us-citizen)), then moves to a visa interview at a U.S. consulate — and your spouse lands in the U.S. **as a permanent resident**, with no second application after arrival.

The two names are one visa with a condition attached: **CR-1** ("conditional resident") when the marriage is under two years old — the [conditional green card is valid for two years](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/conditional-permanent-residence), and you petition to remove the condition in the 90 days before it expires — and **IR-1** ("immediate relative") when the marriage is older than two, which yields the full ten-year card.

## Married and Already in the U.S.: Adjustment of Status

If your spouse is lawfully in the United States, there may be no "visa" involved at all — the green-card application is filed with USCIS from inside the country via [adjustment of status](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/adjustment-of-status), usually together with the marriage petition, work authorization, and travel permission, ending with an interview.

One rule changed recently and matters for that interview: since **May 18, 2026**, USCIS [requires your attorney to attend in person](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20260713-AttorneysAndRepresentatives.pdf) — remote participation is no longer allowed except in limited circumstances.

## How Long Does Each Take?

Timelines shift month to month and by office, so a number printed here would already be wrong — we keep a full explanation of the stages and where to check the live figures in our guide, [How Long Does a Marriage Green Card Take?](/blog/marriage-green-card-timeline/) For fees, the [USCIS fee schedule (G-1055)](https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055) is the current source.

## Choosing (and Not Regretting It)

A common and expensive mistake is choosing a path on timing rumors — marrying abroad vs. marrying in the U.S. changes the process, the waiting location, and the work-authorization picture. If your situation has any wrinkle — a prior visa overstay, an ongoing divorce abroad, a partner in the U.S. on another status — get advice **before** you file anything.

[Schedule a consultation](https://calendly.com/altiuslaw/initial-consultation) — we handle marriage cases in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French.

## Marriage Visa FAQ

#### Can a green-card holder sponsor a fiancé(e)?

No — the K-1 is available only to U.S. citizens. A permanent resident can petition for a **spouse**, so the marriage comes first in that case.

#### We married less than two years ago. What's different?

Your spouse's green card is conditional (CR-1) and [valid for two years](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/conditional-permanent-residence); you'll petition to remove the condition (Form I-751) in the 90-day window before it expires.

#### My spouse entered on a tourist visa. Can we file from inside the U.S.?

Sometimes — this is one of the wrinkle cases where intent at entry matters and the details decide it. Talk to a lawyer before filing.

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