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US spouse and fiancé(e) visas: K-1, CR-1 and IR-1
Spouse and fiancé(e) visas: K-1, CR-1 and IR-1
In short
A US citizen can bring a fiancé(e) on a K-1 visa to marry within 90 days, or a spouse on an immigrant visa: CR-1 if married less than 2 years at admission (conditional 2-year green card) or IR-1 if married longer. Green card holders can petition for spouses in the F2A category. The interview takes place at the U.S. embassy or consulate that processes immigrant visas for your country.
checked 25 October 2026
Key facts
- Validity
- K-1: 90 days to marry; CR-1: 2-year conditional green card; IR-1: 10-year green card
- Fee
- US$675Form I-130 on paper ($625 online) or I-129F ($675); then $325 immigrant visa fee or $265 K visa fee and $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee (G-1055 10/16/26; 22 CFR 22.1)
- Funds required
- US$24,650 per yearSponsor’s minimum household income for a 2-person household (125% of 2026 poverty guidelines, 48 states)
- Work
- Spouses with green cards can work immediately; K-1 entrants need an EAD or green card
- Family
- Unmarried children under 21 can follow as K-2 or as derivatives/IR-2 depending on the case
- Path to permanent residence
- CR-1 conditions removed with Form I-751 ($750 paper / $700 online); citizenship after 3 years of marriage and residence
- Where to apply
- Petition with USCIS; interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate that processes immigrant visas, normally in your country of nationality or residence
Choosing between K-1 and a spouse visa
K-1 is for the foreign fiancé(e) of a US citizen; you must have met in person within the 2 years before filing (with narrow exceptions), both be free to marry, and marry within 90 days of entry, after which you apply for a green card in the US with Form I-485. If you are already married, the US citizen files Form I-130 and you apply for an immigrant visa: CR-1 if the marriage is under 2 years old when you enter, IR-1 if older. Spouses of green card holders apply in the F2A preference category.
Affidavit of support (I-864)
The petitioner must sign Form I-864 and show household income of at least 125% of the HHS poverty guidelines; from 1 March 2026 that is $24,650 for a household of 2, $31,075 for 3 and $37,500 for 4 in the 48 contiguous states (higher in Alaska and Hawaii; 100% for sponsors on active military duty). A joint sponsor or assets can make up a shortfall. The I-864 is a legally enforceable contract. The I-134 form is used only for some nonimmigrant and parole cases, not for immigrant visas.
Fees
USCIS: I-129F $675; I-130 $675 on paper or $625 online. State Department: K visa $265 or immigrant visa $325 per person. After admission on an immigrant visa, the $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee pays for the green card. K-1 entrants later pay $1,440 for Form I-485. CR-1 holders file Form I-751 in the 90 days before the card expires ($750 paper, $700 online).
The interview
Immigrant and fiancé(e) visa applicants are generally interviewed in their country of nationality or residence, at the post that processes immigrant visas there; the National Visa Center schedules the appointment once all documents are complete. The medical exam must be done by one of the embassy’s approved physicians. Bring the originals of every document uploaded to your account.
- The US citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130 (spouse) or Form I-129F (fiancé(e)) with USCIS.
- After approval, the National Visa Center (NVC) sends instructions: pay the immigrant visa fee and the affidavit of support review where charged.
- Complete the DS-260 online and upload civil documents and the I-864 to your CEAC account.
- Once documentarily qualified, NVC schedules the interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate that handles your case; follow its instructions for registering before the interview.
- Have the medical exam with an embassy-approved physician and bring all originals to the interview.
- Pay the $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee online before travelling; your green card is mailed after admission.
After arrival
Immigrant visa holders become permanent residents on admission and receive the green card by mail after paying the immigrant fee. Couples who married less than 2 years before entry receive a conditional card and must jointly file Form I-751 to remove conditions. Spouses of US citizens can usually apply for naturalisation after 3 years of permanent residence while married and living together.
Refusals
Officers assess whether the relationship is genuine and whether the applicant is admissible. Cases can be placed in administrative processing for several weeks or longer. A refused petition may be returned to USCIS for review; certain grounds of inadmissibility can be waived with Form I-601.
Documents
Required documents
Identity
- Valid passport and two photos meeting State Department rules
Money
- Form I-864 Affidavit of Support from the petitioner with tax returns and income evidence
Family
- Birth certificate and, for spouses, marriage certificate, with translations
- Evidence of a genuine relationship: photos together, travel, communication, joint finances
Other
- Police certificates and military records where requested
- Medical examination by an embassy-approved physician
Supporting documents (where they apply)
Other
- Originals of every document uploaded to CEAC, to bring to the interview
Frequently asked questions
How much must my US spouse earn to sponsor me?
At least 125% of the poverty guidelines for the household size: $24,650 for 2 people in 2026 (48 contiguous states). A joint sponsor or assets can help.
K-1 or CR-1: which is better?
K-1 can be quicker for unmarried couples but needs a second application (I-485) in the US; CR-1/IR-1 gives a green card on entry. Choose based on whether you are already married.
Where does the interview take place?
At the U.S. embassy or consulate that processes immigrant and fiancé(e) visas, generally in your country of nationality or residence. NVC schedules it once your documents are complete.
Can my children come with me?
Unmarried children under 21 can usually come as K-2 or with their own or derivative petitions, depending on the route.
Official sources
- USCIS – Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- USCIS – Visas for Fiancé(e)s of U.S. Citizens
- USCIS – G-1055 Fee Schedule (edition 10/16/26)
- 22 CFR 22.1 – Schedule of fees for consular services
- USCIS – I-864P HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support (effective 1 March 2026)
- U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye – Immigrant Visa Overview
- U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye – Immigrant visa document rules (June 2025)
- USCIS – USCIS Immigrant Fee
- Proclamation 10998 – Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals (Federal Register, govinfo)
- 9 FAM 201.1 – Dispenses de visa (citoyens canadiens)
- Servicio oficial de citas de visa (México) – Adjudicación de visas de inmigrante en el país de residencia
- Servicio oficial de citas de visa (México) – Visas de inmigrante: registro de cita
Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.
Other visa types for the United States
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Maximum stay: Set by CBP on the I-94 at entry, usually up to 6 months for visitors
- Medical treatment visa Maximum stay: Set by CBP; an extension can be requested with Form I-539 if treatment continues
- Transit visa Maximum stay: Immediate and continuous transit only; never more than 29 days
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Maximum stay: Set by CBP on the I-94 at entry, usually up to 6 months for visitors
- Investor visa Maximum stay: Admission normally for up to 2 years at a time, renewable while the business qualifies
Study and training
- Student visa Maximum stay: From 15 September 2026: the programme end date, up to 4 years, plus a 30-day departure period; longer study needs an extension from USCIS
- Researcher visa Maximum stay: Length of the programme, up to 5 years
- Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: Interns up to 12 months; trainees up to 18 months (12 months in agriculture and hospitality and tourism)
- Au pair visa Maximum stay: 12 months, extendable by 6, 9 or 12 months with State Department approval
Work
- Skilled worker visa Maximum stay: Up to 3 years, extendable to 6 years in total
- Intra-company transfer visa Maximum stay: Initial stay up to 3 years (1 year for a new office); total 7 years for L-1A and 5 for L-1B
- Work visa Maximum stay: Up to 3 years initially; extensions in 1-year increments
- Seasonal work visa Maximum stay: Period of the certified need, usually up to 1 year, extendable to a 3-year maximum
Family
- Family reunification visa Processing time: Immediate relatives: no queue after petition approval; preference categories: years, depending on the Visa Bulletin
Residence
- Golden visa and residence by investment Validity: Conditional green card for 2 years, then Form I-829 to remove conditions
- Permanent residence Validity: 10-year card (2-year conditional card for recent marriages and EB-5)
Online travel permits
- Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) Maximum stay: Up to 90 days per visit
Faster processing
- Fast-track and priority visa services Processing time: Premium processing: 15 business days for most cases, 30 for I-765 and I-539, 45 for E13 and NIW I-140
Protection
- Asylum and international protection Processing time: No fixed timeline; affirmative cases are interviewed by a USCIS asylum office