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: 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), 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, 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, 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 — 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? For fees, the USCIS fee schedule (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 — 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; 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.