Family reunification in the USA — CR-1 / IR-1
Spousal immigrant visa (CR-1/IR-1) — reunification with a citizen or resident of the USA. For spouses moving to the USA for permanent residence.
- The petition is filed by the spouse who is a US citizen, and the petitioner must have their principal residence in the USA
Who it suits
- The petition is filed by the spouse who is a US citizen, and the petitioner must have their principal residence in the USA
- Relocators
- Families
- Remote specialists
The applicant is the foreign spouse in a legally recognised marriage to a US citizen
The terms the expert works on
Prepares the documents and evidence file personally
Assembles and formats the whole package — from forms to achievement evidence for the petition — so it does not come back for rework.
Checks the case against USCIS requirements
Matches the documents to the specific visa category's criteria before filing, not after a denial.
Handles a Request for Evidence at no extra charge
If USCIS sends an RFE on the petition, prepares the response without an additional fee for the case itself.
A US immigration attorney runs the case
The petition is prepared and filed by a lawyer practising US immigration law, not an unlicensed consultant.
Names the price at the consultation, before work starts
The cost is quoted right after the case review — before the petition is drafted — and is not revised upward later, whatever happens along the way.
Matches the category to your profile
If the facts do not support one visa category, proposes the one the case actually fits, rather than forcing the filing into the category you asked for.
Deals with USCIS and the consulate directly
Responds to the agency's requests and prepares you for the interview personally, with no chain of intermediaries.
Residence permit in the US: comparing the options
The difference is not the price — it is who each option suits. The “Best for” column is the business profile the option is built around.
| Option | Best for | Timeline | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-1 student visa in the USA — School selection + I-20 + preparation | Applicants and students enrolling on a full-time programme in the USA, those who need help choosing an accredited school and arranging the I-20 | 1–4 months | from $1,190 |
| E-2 visa in the USA — Investor visa | Entrepreneurs who are citizens of countries with a treaty with the USA and are ready to run the business themselves, investors who have already invested, or are ready to invest, capital in an operating enterprise in the USA | 1–4 months | from $8,000 |
| L-1 visa in the USA — Manager transfer | Managers and key employees of companies opening an office or a branch in the USA, businesses with an existing related structure abroad and in the USA | 1–4 months | from $12,000 |
| O-1 talent visa in the USA | Academics, artists, athletes and entrepreneurs recognised in their field, those who already have a US employer or agent ready to file the petition | 1–4 months | from $12,500 |
| EB-1A green card in the USA — Extraordinary abilities | Academics, entrepreneurs and professionals with international recognition, those who can evidence extraordinary achievements without a sponsoring employer | 4–6 months | from $12,500 |
| Family reunification in the USA — CR-1 / IR-1you are here | Relocators, families, remote specialists | 1–4 months | Upon consultation |
What the service includes
| Choosing the basis that suits your case | |
| Preparing and filing the documents | |
| Support until the status is granted | |
| Government and visa fees— billed separately | |
| Flights and accommodation— billed separately |
Official terms
Financial requirement
Filing the I-130 petition with USCIS costs $675, processing the DS-260 immigrant application $325 per applicant, and reviewing the affidavit of support $120; all fees are per immigrant and non-refundable. The financial sponsor must evidence income of at least 125% of the federal poverty guidelines
Timelines and rights
Review time
It starts with filing Form I-130 with USCIS; once approved the case passes to the National Visa Center, which requests Form DS-261 and gives instructions on paying the fees and filing the DS-260. Then comes an interview at the embassy or consulate where the applicant lives, with digital fingerprinting. The overall timeline is individual to each case
Right to work
CR-1/IR-1 is an immigrant, not a temporary, visa: the spouse enters the USA as a permanent resident straight away, and no separate work permit is required
Residence conditions
The sponsoring petitioner must have their principal residence in the USA. For holders of the conditional CR-1 visa, the continuing marriage is additionally evidenced by the joint petition to remove conditions
Documents and programme requirements
- 1International passport
- 2Proof of income or of the qualifying basis
What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship
Route to permanent residence
- Permanent resident status is granted at the moment of entry
- For CR-1 holders residence is conditional for two years — the spouses must file a joint petition to remove the conditions (I-751) within the 90 days before it expires, or the status can be lost
- IR-1 holders get unconditional permanent residence for ten years straight away
Route to citizenship
The spouse of a US citizen may apply for naturalisation after three years of continuous permanent residence rather than the standard five, provided the marriage lasts throughout and the spouses live together
Related breakdowns
K-1 fiancé visa or marrying abroad: which to choose
K-1 fiancé visa or CR-1/IR-1 marriage green card: who files, what it costs, where the wedding happens and what if you don't marry within 90 days.
US degree evaluation: how work experience counts
What a credential evaluation is, which US visas need it and how 3 years' experience replace 1 year of study. When a bachelor's plus 5 years equals a master's.
EB-1A or O-1: which US talent visa to choose
The O-1 is a work visa for up to 3 years through an employer or agent; the EB-1A is a green card with no employer. Criteria, 2026 fees and how to combine them.