United States•North AmericaVaries case by case; no official estimate provided
1,355 USD
Indefinite
Yes
Not Required
Not Specified
Available
Allowed
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.
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 | — |
Travel to interview | — |
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
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)
Education
none or higher
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
| 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 |
| 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 |
Let's check your eligibility against published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.
Check Eligibility