How long does the IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse of US Citizen (Subclass IR-1 / CR-1) (United States) take to process?

Depends on petition approval, NVC/consular processing, interview availability, medical/document readiness, and administrative processing.

How long can you stay on the IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse of US Citizen (Subclass IR-1 / CR-1) (United States)?

Immigrant visa leads to lawful permanent resident status after admission and required immigrant fee/green-card processing.

Can you work on the IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse of US Citizen (Subclass IR-1 / CR-1) (United States)?

Lawful permanent residents may work in the United States after admission as permanent residents; pre-entry work depends on existing authorization.

Country Info Hub

United States

A leading destination for professionals and students worldwide, known for its strong economy, world-class universities, and diverse culture.

Visa Routes Breakdown

62 Total

Work (17)

PR (17)

Study (4)

Visit (2)

Capital: Washington, D.C.
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
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Languages: English
Time vs Colombo: -9h 30m to -15h 30m
Population: About 0 million
Calling code: +1
Drives on: Right
Climate: Mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska

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Official Visa Data

Visa Routes Breakdown

62 Total

Work (17)

PR (17)

Study (4)

Visit (2)

Back to all visas

At a glance

Government fee

USD 325 DOS immigrant visa application processing fee per person for immediate relative/family preference cases; petition fees are separate.

Department of State fee table lists immigrant, K, DV, and returning-resident fee amounts; USCIS petition/immigrant fees are separate and can change.

Processing time: Depends on petition approval, NVC/consular processing, interview availability, medical/document readiness, and administrative processing.
How long you can stay: Immigrant visa leads to lawful permanent resident status after admission and required immigrant fee/green-card processing.
Work rights: Lawful permanent residents may work in the United States after admission as permanent residents; pre-entry work depends on existing authorization.
Where it leads: Lawful permanent residence pathway if the applicant completes the immigrant visa/admission process and remains admissible.
Where you apply: USCIS petition or DV selection where required, NVC processing, DS-260, medical exam, documents, and U.S. Embassy/Consulate immigrant visa interview.

Key requirements

Qualifying U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident petitioner
Approved immigrant petition
Visa number availability where category is numerically limited
Affidavit of support where required
Medical exam, civil documents, and consular interview

Step-by-step process

The verified roadmap from starting your application to the grant.

1
Confirm qualifying family petitioner
Before applying
Confirm the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident petitioner and the exact family preference/immediate relative category.
2
File or use approved immigrant petition
Before application submission
The petitioner files or relies on an approved family petition and the case moves to NVC when ready.
3
Complete NVC/DS-260 and pay required fees
Application submission stage
Complete DS-260, affidavit of support where required, civil documents, and NVC fee/document steps.
4
Attend medical exam and immigrant visa interview
Interview/decision stage
Complete the panel physician medical exam, bring originals/copies, and attend the immigrant visa interview.
Enter the United States as an immigrant if visa is issued
After visa decision
If issued, pay any required immigrant fee, travel before visa expiry, and become an LPR after admission.

Document checklist

Track your progress as you gather what you need.

0 / 5ready

Identity & Personal

Purpose of Visit

Financial Evidence

Your ticks stay on this device.

Cost breakdown

A verified breakdown beyond just the visa fee.

Government fee: USD 325 DOS immigrant visa application processing fee per person for immediate relative/family preference cases; petition fees are separate.
Agent fee: $2,591
Travel: $945
Settling in: $7,855
Monthly living cost: $2,495

More details

Important notes

Visa number availability can delay numerically limited family and employment categories.
An approved petition does not guarantee visa issuance; the applicant must remain admissible.

Streams

Immigrant
Family-based
Permanent residence

Official sources

This is information, not legal or immigration advice. Always confirm with the official source before you apply.

United States

Visa Routes Breakdown

Quick facts

Visa Routes Breakdown

Confirm qualifying family petitioner

File or use approved immigrant petition

Complete NVC/DS-260 and pay required fees

Attend medical exam and immigrant visa interview

Enter the United States as an immigrant if visa is issued

Identity & Personal

Purpose of Visit

Financial Evidence

Important notes

Streams

Official sources

Confirm qualifying family petitioner

File or use approved immigrant petition

Complete NVC/DS-260 and pay required fees

Attend medical exam and immigrant visa interview

Enter the United States as an immigrant if visa is issued

Identity & Personal

Purpose of Visit

Financial Evidence

Important notes

Streams

Official sources