Immigrant Visa Categories
| Immediate Relative & Family Sponsored | Visa Category |
| Spouse of a U.S. Citizen | IR1, CR1 |
| Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approv ... | K-3 * |
| Fiancé (e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live ... | K-1 * |
| Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children ... | IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4 |
What is an immigrant visa for a spouse of an US citizen?
Immigrant visa for a Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR1 or CR1) - An immigrant Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 is required. Learn more.
How do I bring my foreign spouse to the US?
Spouse. If you are a U.S. citizen you have two ways to bring your foreign spouse (husband or wife) to the United States to live. They are: Immigrant visa for a Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR1 or CR1) - An immigrant Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 is required. Learn more. Nonimmigrant visa for spouse...
Can a foreign citizen get married on an immigrant visa?
If you have been married for less than two years when your foreign citizen spouse enters the United States on an immigrant visa, his or her permanent resident status is considered “conditional.” The immigrant visa is a conditional resident (CR) visa, not an immediate relative (IR) visa.
Can a green card holder apply for a Spouse Visa?
The U.S. government may issue a spouse visa to the foreign national spouse of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. For couples that have been married for less than two years, the U.S. Department of State will issue a “CR1” visa. This code indicates that the new permanent resident (green card holder)...
What category is spouse of U.S. citizen?
Who is eligible? The husband or wife of a United States citizen may be eligible for immigration in the immediate relative category (IR1/CR1).
What is IR1 and CR1?
A CR1/IR1 visa allows a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (green card holder) to sponsor their foreign spouse to come to the United States. Specific requirements include: The sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. The couple must be lawfully married and provide a valid marriage certificate.
What is F2A visa category?
What Is the F2A Visa? The F2A visa is a US immigrant visa for spouses or minor children of Green Card holders. This visa is designed to allow US Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) to bring these certain family members to the US permanently.
What is F1 F2A F2B F3 F4?
Family Immigration Class. US Family Immigration Class F1/F2A/F2B/F3/F4. The immigration law of US allows that the foreign citizen who has relation with US citizen or US permanent resident could immigrate to US based on the family relation, which is US family immigration class.
Which is better K3 or CR1?
The K3 visa holder can only apply for a work permit after entering the US. On the other hand, a CR1 visa is an immigrant visa. CR1 visa applicants need to wait in their home countries for the application for US legal permanent residence to be processed.
Which is better k1 or CR1?
The spousal visa is considered more “secure” because it's got higher approval rates. This relates to both the CR1 visa interview and the USCIS adjudication. According to the USCIS Reports, statistically, 90% of the I-130 petitions are approved, but this number includes more than just spouses.
What is F21 visa category?
F21. Spouse of lawful permanent resident. 203(a)(2)(A) F22. Child of lawful permanent resident.
What is F3 visa type?
The F3 visa is a family-based Green Card that is part of the 'Preference Relative' category of US family visas. This visa is for the married child of a U.S. citizen and the spouse and children of the married child. Contact our immigration team on +1 844 290 6312.
Who is eligible for F2A category?
Second preference (F2A) - spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents; Second preference (F2B) - unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of lawful permanent residents; Third preference (F3) - married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; and.
What is F2A and F2B visa?
The F2A Visa has been designed for the spouses and minor children of US citizens or LPRs. The F2B Visa has been created for an unmarried child aged over 21 years of age whose parents are LPRs or US citizens. As with other visa categories, the Family Preference Visa categories have limits.
Which is better F1 or F2B?
F1 visas are for the unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens and their minor children, while F2B visas are for the unmarried children of a green card holder (or lawful permanent resident).
Who is eligible for F4 visa?
You must be a U.S citizen. You must be at least 21 years old. You must have siblings in a foreign country and prove it through birth certificates or adoption documents. You must be living in the U.S and have a valid U.S address.
How long is an IR1 visa valid for?
A CR1 Visa or IR1 Visa is valid for a period of six months and, generally, may be used for multiple entries into the United States until its expiration.
What is CR1 Visa category?
The CR1 Visa is an immigrant visa created for foreign-citizen spouses that are married to U.S. citizens or permanent residents so that they can be together in the U.S. The CR in CR1 means “conditional resident”, which is why it is valid only for a couple of years.
What does IR1 mean?
Immediate Relative Spouse visaBoth the Immediate Relative Spouse visa (IR1) and the Conditional Resident Spouse visa (CR1) are immigrant visas especially designed for foreign nationals who are legally married to U.S. citizens.
Does CR1 automatically change to IR1?
The visa status may not automatically change from CR1 to IR1 while the case is still at the NVC stage. It should change at the US consul interview...
How to check if a family member has an immigrant visa?
Your family member’s preference category will determine how long they will have to wait for an immigrant visa number. Once you have filed a petition, you can check its progress the My Case Status page. For visa availability information, see the Visa Bulletin page on the U.S. Department of State website.
How to get a green card for a family member?
To petition for a family member to receive a Green Card (permanent residence), begin by filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. This form establishes the family relationship that exists between you and your relative. Sometimes the I-130 can be filed together with an application for permanent residence, officially known as Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This is discussed below.
What is an I-129F?
NOTE: A visa petition (Form I-130 or Form I-129F) is only used to demonstrate a qualifying relationship. An approved petition DOES NOT grant any benefit, it simply creates a place in line for visa processing.
Can I file for a visa for my immediate family?
citizens. This means your family member does not need to wait in line for a visa. Immediate relatives who are in the United States can file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status at the same time as Form I-130.
Can a family member get a green card?
This page describes how you (a U.S. citizen) may petition for certain family members to receive either a Green Card, a fiancé (e) visa or a K-3/K-4 visa based on your relationship. (If your relative wishes to naturalize or obtain proof of citizenship, see the Citizenship section of our website.)
How to get a spouse visa?
The basic steps to the spouse visa process are as follows: 1 File I-130 Petition Package with USCIS 2 Obtain USCIS approval (or denial) on petition 3 Apply for immigrant visa (DS-260) 4 Complete required medical exam 5 Attend visa interview at the U.S. Embassy 6 Receive immigrant visa is passport 7 Pay immigrant fee online 8 Travel to United States 9 Receive physical green card in the mail (typically within four weeks of entry)
Why do immigration officials scrutinize spouses more than other types of immigrant visa applications?
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), scrutinize spouse relationships more than other types of immigrant visa applications. That’s because there’s been an historically high rate of visa fraud for marriages as compared to other relationships.
How old do you have to be to get a visa for a foreigner?
The petitioner must: Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (age 18 or over) Be legally married to the foreign national spouse. After USCIS approves the immigrant petition and a visa is available, the foreign national applies for the actual spouse visa.
What is an I-130 petition?
As mentioned in a previous section, the I-130 petition is a request by the U.S. citizen or permanent resident to make a visa available to a foreign spouse. For spouses of U.S. citizens, a visa is always available. Spouses of U.S. citizens are considered immediate relatives. On the other hand, spouses of permanent residents are considered family preference immigrants and may experience a bit more of a wait for a visa to become available. However, once USCIS approves the petition, the process is essentially the same for both.
What is the code for a spouse who has been married for less than 2 years?
For couples who have been married more than two years, the U.S. Department of State will issue an “IR1” visa. On the other hand, spouses who have been married less than two years get a “CR1” visa. This code indicates that the new permanent resident (green card holder) is a conditional resident. In fact, most spouse visa beneficiaries are approved ...
How long does it take to get a spouse visa?
For many spouse visa cases, the process takes less than a year. The entire spouse visa time line can vary for your case. As mentioned, I-130 processing times vary by type of relationship (immediate relative or family preference). Other factors that affect processing time include the workload where your paperwork is processed and how well you prepare the petition.
Why do immigration officials want reassurance that marriage is legitimate?
That’s because there’s been an historically high rate of visa fraud for marriages as compared to other relationships. Therefore, immigration officials want reassurance that the marriage is legitimate and that the foreign spouse is obtaining a green card based on a genuine relationship.
What is a Section 13 diplomat?
when you were born. Section 13 (diplomat) Were stationed in the United States as a foreign diplomat or high ranking official and are unable to return home.
What is a widower?
Widow (er) of a U.S. citizen. Widow or widower of a U.S. citizen and you were married to your U.S. citizen spouse at the time your spouse died. VAWA self-petitioner– victim of battery or extreme cruelty. Abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
What is dependent status?
Are the spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA) An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under HRIFA.
What is a VAWA self petitioner?
VAWA self-petitioner– victim of battery or extreme cruelty. The abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The abused child (unmarried and under 21 years old) of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The abused parent of a U.S. citizen.
What is a third preference immigrant?
Are a third preference immigrant worker, meaning you are: A skilled worker (meaning your job requires a minimum of 2 years training or work experience), or. A professional (meaning your job requires at least a U.S. bachelor's degree or a foreign equivalent and you are a member of the profession), or.
What is a fiancé E?
Fiancé (e) of a U.S. citizen or the fiancé (e)’s child. Person admitted to the U.S. as a fiancé (e) of a U.S. citizen (K-1 nonimmigrant) Person admitted to the U.S. as the child of a fiancé (e) of a U.S. citizen (K-2 nonimmigrant) Widow (er) of a U.S. citizen.
When a K-1 visa holder marries his US citizen petitioner, he adjusts status under the answer?
Are you the foreign-citizen fiancé (e) of a US citizen? When a K-1 visa holder marries his US citizen petitioner, he adjusts status under the CR1 category .
What is a professional visa?
In the context of US immigration, you are a “professional” if your job requires at least a US bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. You must also be a member of the profession. Unlike the H1-B visa petition, you cannot use work experience to cover the lack of education. First or EB1: Priority Workers.
How many visas are in the EB1 category?
The Visa Office allocates 40,000 or 28.6% of the worldwide total of 140,000 visas to the EB1 category. You may qualify for the EB1 category if you fall under any of the following three groups.
How many EB3 visas are allocated to other workers?
The Visa Office allocates 10,000 of the EB3 allocation to a subgroup of the EB3, called Other Workers. Other workers perform unskilled labor. Other workers also need less than two years’ of training, education, or experience in a job that is not temporary or seasonal.
What is priority date for US visa?
The US Embassy, or a consular post, issues visas to family members based on the date the USCIS received a complete petition. This date is your priority date.
What are the two categories of family based petitions?
The two main categories of family-based petitions are: Immediate relatives of US citizens. Family Preference categories. In US immigration, a child is an individual who is less than 21 and unmarried. Once the person reaches 21, he or she is a son or daughter.
What is the EB3 visa?
The EB3 or third employment-based category also has a visa allocation of 40,000 or 28.6% of the worldwide level. the Visa Office reassigns any unused visa numbers from the EB1 and EB2 categories to the EB3 class.
How long does it take to get a spouse visa?
Receiving your spousal visa (green card) Your physical spouse visa (also called a “green card” because of its color) will arrive by mail, typically within two to three weeks of approval. The green card entitles you to work anywhere in the United States and take international trips without separate work and travel permits. ...
What is the form I-130?
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the government agency that handles these applications: Establishing the marriage relationship ( Form I-130, officially called the “Petition for Alien Relative”)
How long does it take for a sponsoring spouse to get a RFE?
If USCIS needs more information or documents to process your application, they will send you a “ Request for Evidence ” (RFE), typically within 2–3 months.