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IR-1 — Spouse of U.S. Citizen

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Estimated Cost

$1,355 USD

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Immigrant visa for the spouse of a U.S. citizen. No numerical cap. Immediate relative category.

The IR-1 is a US immigrant visa for the foreign-born spouse of a US citizen. As an immediate relative category, it carries no annual cap, so there is no priority date backlog. Approval grants lawful permanent residence — a Green Card — on admission, with unrestricted work authorization from day one.

Spouses married 2+ years at entry receive a 10-year IR-1 Green Card; those married under 2 years get a 2-year conditional CR-1, with conditions removed later by joint petition. The US citizen sponsor must be 18+, reside in the US, and sign Form I-864. No occupation or education requirement applies to the beneficiary.

This visa is ideal for the legally married foreign spouse of a US citizen who wants permanent residence with immediate work authorization and a clear path to naturalization.

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Cost Breakdown

Form I-130 filing fee (USCIS)$675 USD

DS-260 processing fee (Dept. of State / NVC)$325 USD

Affidavit of Support review fee (Form I-864)$120 USD

Medical examination and vaccinations—

USCIS Immigrant Fee (paid before travel)$235 USD

Document translations and certified copies—

optional

Travel to interview—

optional

Total$1,355 USD

Stay & Extensions

Status type

Permanent / indefinite

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Sponsor must be a U.S. citizen with principal U.S. residence

Sponsor must be 18+ to sign Affidavit of Support

Legally wedded spouses only (common-law may qualify depending on country law)

In polygamous situations, only the first spouse qualifies

Same-sex spouses qualify equally

Valid passport (6+ months beyond intended stay)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (valid 6+ months beyond intended stay)

Form DS-260 (completed online)

Two 2×2 passport photos

Affidavit of Support (Form I-864, I-864A, I-864EZ, or I-864W)

Birth certificate

Marriage certificate (with certified translation if not in English)

Medical examination forms from panel physician

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Leads directly to lawful permanent residence (Green Card)
IR-1 issued if married 2+ years — full 10-year Green Card immediately
Immediate Relative category — not subject to annual numerical caps
Same-sex spouses qualify equally
Full work and travel authorization as a permanent resident

Worth Knowing

CR-1 holders (married < 2 years at entry) receive 2-year conditional Green Card and must jointly file to remove conditions within 90 days before 2-year anniversary
All fees are non-refundable
Do not open the sealed document packet — only U.S. CBP officers may open it
USCIS Immigrant Fee must be paid before traveling to the U.S.
Processing delays can result from incomplete applications or Affidavit of Support issues
Common-law marriage qualification depends on the laws of the country where the relationship was established

Application Process

Sponsor files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS

USCIS approves petition and forwards to National Visa Center (NVC)

NVC assigns case number and requests fees

Applicant completes Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) online

Submit civil documents to NVC (birth certificate, marriage certificate, translations)

Undergo medical examination with an authorized panel physician

Attend visa interview at U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Receive immigrant visa (valid 6 months to enter the U.S.)

Enter the U.S. — Green Card mailed to U.S. address after lawful admission

Application Forms

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative	Fill online
DS-260 Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application	Fill online
I-864 Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA	Fill online

Verified Claims (22)

Last verified May 30, 2026

Application Steps

Sponsor files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS; USCIS approves petition and forwa…

travel.state.gov

Fee Breakdown

Form I-130 filing fee (USCIS): 675 USD; DS-260 processing fee (Dept. of State / NVC): 325 USD; Affid…

travel.state.gov

Fee Breakdown · USCIS Immigrant Fee (paid before travel) · amount

220

uscis.gov

Fees

Form I-130 filing fee ($675 paper / $625 online) + Form DS-260 processing fee ($325) + Affidavit of …

uscis.gov

Forms

Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative); Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application); Form I-864 / I-8…

travel.state.gov

Forms · DS-260 · description

Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application

travel.state.gov

Forms · I-130 · description

Petition for Alien Relative

uscis.gov

Forms · I-864 · description

Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA

uscis.gov

Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Immigrant visa for the spouse of a U.S. citizen. No numerical cap. Immediate relative category.

This visa is ideal for the legally married foreign spouse of a US citizen who wants permanent residence with immediate work authorization and a clear path to naturalization.

Cost Breakdown

Form I-130 filing fee (USCIS)$675 USD

DS-260 processing fee (Dept. of State / NVC)$325 USD

Affidavit of Support review fee (Form I-864)$120 USD

Medical examination and vaccinations—

USCIS Immigrant Fee (paid before travel)$235 USD

Document translations and certified copies—

optional

Travel to interview—

optional

Total$1,355 USD

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Sponsor must be a U.S. citizen with principal U.S. residence

Sponsor must be 18+ to sign Affidavit of Support

Legally wedded spouses only (common-law may qualify depending on country law)

In polygamous situations, only the first spouse qualifies

Same-sex spouses qualify equally

Valid passport (6+ months beyond intended stay)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (valid 6+ months beyond intended stay)

Form DS-260 (completed online)

Two 2×2 passport photos

Affidavit of Support (Form I-864, I-864A, I-864EZ, or I-864W)

Birth certificate

Marriage certificate (with certified translation if not in English)

Medical examination forms from panel physician

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Leads directly to lawful permanent residence (Green Card)
IR-1 issued if married 2+ years — full 10-year Green Card immediately
Immediate Relative category — not subject to annual numerical caps
Same-sex spouses qualify equally
Full work and travel authorization as a permanent resident

Worth Knowing

CR-1 holders (married < 2 years at entry) receive 2-year conditional Green Card and must jointly file to remove conditions within 90 days before 2-year anniversary
All fees are non-refundable
Do not open the sealed document packet — only U.S. CBP officers may open it
USCIS Immigrant Fee must be paid before traveling to the U.S.
Processing delays can result from incomplete applications or Affidavit of Support issues
Common-law marriage qualification depends on the laws of the country where the relationship was established

Application Process