Planning a life together in the United States is exciting, and the first big choice is which visa fits your plans. Some couples want to marry in the U.S. and get to the same place sooner, while others prefer to arrive with permanent resident status from day one.
At N400 Harbor Immigration Law in Pompano Beach, we help individuals, businesses, and organizations across the country with visas, green cards, and citizenship. This guide gives a clear, side-by-side look at the K-1 fiancé visa and the CR-1 or IR-1 spouse visa, so you can pick a path that matches your wedding plans, budget, and timing.
Overview of Fiancé (K-1) and Spouse (CR-1/IR-1) Visas
The K-1 visa lets a U.S. citizen bring a foreign fiancé to the United States to marry within 90 days, then apply for a green card through adjustment of status. That means entry first, green card later. The CR-1 or IR-1 spouse visa is for couples who are already married, and it grants permanent residency upon arrival.
In simple terms, K-1 often gets you together in the U.S. sooner, while CR-1 or IR-1 makes the green card part faster after entry. Both paths can work well; it just depends on your goals.
Major Differences Between the K-1 and CR-1/IR-1 Visas
Before you pick a route, it helps to compare eligibility, timelines, work rights, and travel rules. The points below cover what most couples ask first.
Eligibility Requirements
The K-1 visa requires that you have met in person within the past two years and that you intend to marry in the U.S. Only a U.S. citizen can file the K-1 petition. The CR-1 or IR-1 requires a valid, legal marriage before applying, and the petitioner can be either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
Processing Times
Typical K-1 processing runs about 6 to 15 months for the visa stage. CR-1 or IR-1 typically takes around 12 to 18 months, after which the spouse arrives as a permanent resident. Timelines move around based on government backlogs, embassy workloads, and your case facts.
Work Authorization
A K-1 entrant needs to file a work permit application after arriving, then again with the green card filing if work permission is still required. A CR-1 or IR-1 spouse can work right away as a permanent resident. That difference can affect how fast the household can have two incomes in the U.S.
Travel
The K-1 visa is a single-entry visa. After marriage, if you leave the U.S. before getting advance parole during the green card process, that filing is treated as abandoned. A CR-1 or IR-1 spouse can travel internationally as a permanent resident, keeping the usual residency rules in mind.
The comparison below puts both paths on one page for quick reference.
| Factor | K-1 Fiancé Visa | CR-1/IR-1 Spouse Visa |
| Who can petition | U.S. citizen only | U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident |
| Marital status required | Engaged, not yet married | Legally married |
| In-person meeting rule | Must have met in person within 2 years; exceptions are rare | Not required, but the marriage must be valid |
| Typical processing time | About 6 to 15 months for the visa stage | About 12 to 18 months, then a green card on arrival |
| Green card timing | After marriage, file an adjustment of status in the U.S. | Permanent resident upon entry |
| Work rights | Apply for a work permit after entry and during the green card process | Work immediately as a permanent resident |
| Travel after entry | Single entry, need advance parole while a green card is pending | Can travel with a green card, subject to residency rules |
| Long-run costs | Usually, the higher the adjustment of status, the more fees are added. | Often lower, no separate adjustment of status |
With the basics covered, let’s walk through what each application looks like from start to finish.
K-1 Fiancé Visa: The Application Process
The K-1 path starts with the U.S. citizen’s petition and ends with marriage in the U.S., followed by a green card filing. Here is a simple overview you can follow step by step.
- The U.S. citizen files Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with USCIS.
- After approval, the case goes to the National Visa Center, then to the U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
- The fiancé attends a medical examination and a visa interview, accompanied by supporting documents.
- If approved, the fiancé enters the U.S., and the couple must marry within 90 days.
- After the wedding, the foreign spouse files Form I-485 for a green card, plus the work and travel forms if needed.
This route can feel quicker at the start, though there is a second stage inside the U.S. for the green card.
CR-1/IR-1 Spouse Visa: Requirements and Processing
The spouse visa route brings your loved one in as a permanent resident on day one. It takes longer up front, yet it cuts out the extra green card filing after arrival.
- Marry legally before you file.
- The U.S. citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS.
- Once approved, the case moves to the NVC for fees and civil documents.
- The foreign spouse completes a medical exam and attends the consular interview.
- After approval, the spouse enters the U.S. as a permanent resident, and no adjustment of status is required.
If the marriage is less than two years old at entry, the green card will be conditional for two years, which is normal.
Cost Analysis: K-1 vs. CR-1/IR-1 Visas
Sticker price can be tricky in these cases. K-1 often looks lighter at first, then the later green card filing adds more fees and time.
- K-1 typical fees: I-129F filing, embassy interview fee, medical exam, I-485 filing, work authorization, and travel document filings.
- CR-1/IR-1 typical fees: I-130 filing, NVC processing and affidavit of support fees, medical exam, immigrant visa fee, and USCIS immigrant fee.
Many couples find the CR-1 or IR-1 path more budget-friendly over the long run, since permanent residency is granted upon entry and no extra adjustment of status filing is needed.
Which Visa Is the Better Choice for You?
The better fit comes down to your timeline, wedding plans, income needs, and how soon you want permanent residency in hand. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and that is okay.
If marrying in the U.S. matters most and you want a quicker first step, the K-1 can be an intense match. If you are already married, want work rights right away, and prefer fewer steps after arrival, CR-1 or IR-1 is often the smarter play.
The K-3 spouse visa exists, but it is rarely used today because the CR-1 or IR-1 visa usually delivers the same benefits more straightforwardly. Your wedding location also matters. If you plan to marry abroad, go with a spouse visa; if you plan to marry in the U.S., the K-1 is the correct fit.
Think about processing times, travel needs, and how long you can be apart. If living together in the U.S. quickly is the priority, K-1 might feel better. If skipping extra filings later and starting work right away is more valuable, CR-1 or IR-1 often wins.
Contact N400 Harbor Immigration Law Today
Bringing your partner home should feel hopeful, not confusing. We help couples nationwide pick the right path, prepare strong filings, and keep cases moving.
We handle fiancé visas, spouse visas, green cards, work permits, waivers, and more with care and steady communication. Your goals matter, and we will work hard to help you reach them.
If you want help mapping out your next step, reach out. Call 786-891-1309 or visit our website to get started. We welcome your questions, and we are happy to look over timelines, wedding plans, and costs. A short conversation can save months of stress and get you both closer to home.
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