IR-1 OR CR-1

[kerran 4]

What is the difference between an IR-1 and a CR-1?

[daboyz 36]

CR-1 = 2 year green card. IR-1 = 10 year green card.

[trailmix 77]

What is the difference between an IR-1 and a CR-1?

IR1 - you can apply for this if you have been married 2 years or more.

CR1 - you can apply for this if you have been married less than two years.

What Is Conditional Residence?

If you have been married for less than two years when your spouse enters the United States on an immigrant visa, the permanent resident status is considered “conditional.” The immigrant visa is a CR ( conditional resident ) visa, not an IR ( immediate relative ) visa.

You and your spouse must apply together to the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to remove the “condition” within the ninety days before the two year anniversary of your spouse’s entry into the United States on an immigrant visa. The two-year anniversary date of entry is the date of expiration on the alien registration card (green card). See How Do I Remove the Conditions on Permanent Residence Based on Marriage?

[TayRivers 4]

What is the difference between an IR-1 and a CR-1?

CR-1 = Conditional Resident, Married less than 2 Years at time of entry to US (2 year Greencard then needs to file for Removal of Conditions)

IR-1 = Permanent Resident, Married more than 2 Years at time of entry (10 year Greencard)

[NArocks 13]

When married under 2 years and get and use your visa to enter the US you are a CR-1 and have to remove the conditions of your residency 90 days before the 2 year expriation date on you GC. If you are married over 2 years when you get and use your visa you get a IR-1 which is the 10 year GC.

Hope this helps

[kerran 4]

Thanks everyone.

Now i get it. lol

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Thanks everyone.

Now i get it. lol

Rats...

I was going to say that the difference is one has an "I" while the other has a "C"...

[kerran 4]

Thanks everyone.

Now i get it. lol

Rats...

I was going to say that the difference is one has an "I" while the other has a "C"...

Thanks Bobby

I'll give you a

lol

[lucyrich 20]

To add a bit to the already correct info.

Even if you're clearly applying for a CR-1 visa, some of your paperwork at the consulate (and maybe NVC) will say "IR-1" on it. Don't get too excited about pointing out that "problem". It's normal procedure.

They process the two types exactly the same. If the couple is close to their two year wedding anniversary, it may not be clear which kind of visa they'll get until the day they actually get the visa, because a slight delay could change a CR-1 to an IR-1. So they don't make a distinction until they're ready to issue the visa, even for couples whose timelines make it pretty clear which kind of visa they'll be getting.

And note that, if you get a CR-1 visa a few weeks or months before your second wedding anniversary, and then you wait outside the US until after your wedding anniversary, and enter the US after your marriage is more than two years old, you'll enter with your CR-1 visa, but get IR-1 status and an unconditional ten year green card (assuming the officer at the POE doesn't make a mistake, which isn't always a good assumption). The type of status you get is determined by the age of your marriage on the date of entry to the US, while the type of visa you get is determined by the age of your marriage on the date the visa is issued. The status is what determines whether or not you'll have to file for removal of conditions, so it's the only thing that really matters for practical purposes.

[kerran 4]

To add a bit to the already correct info.

Even if you're clearly applying for a CR-1 visa, some of your paperwork at the consulate (and maybe NVC) will say "IR-1" on it. Don't get too excited about pointing out that "problem". It's normal procedure.

They process the two types exactly the same. If the couple is close to their two year wedding anniversary, it may not be clear which kind of visa they'll get until the day they actually get the visa, because a slight delay could change a CR-1 to an IR-1. So they don't make a distinction until they're ready to issue the visa, even for couples whose timelines make it pretty clear which kind of visa they'll be getting.

And note that, if you get a CR-1 visa a few weeks or months before your second wedding anniversary, and then you wait outside the US until after your wedding anniversary, and enter the US after your marriage is more than two years old, you'll enter with your CR-1 visa, but get IR-1 status and an unconditional ten year green card (assuming the officer at the POE doesn't make a mistake, which isn't always a good assumption). The type of status you get is determined by the age of your marriage on the date of entry to the US, while the type of visa you get is determined by the age of your marriage on the date the visa is issued. The status is what determines whether or not you'll have to file for removal of conditions, so it's the only thing that really matters for practical purposes.

Thanks for the additional info.

[ohlpomr 0]

To add a bit to the already correct info.

Even if you're clearly applying for a CR-1 visa, some of your paperwork at the consulate (and maybe NVC) will say "IR-1" on it. Don't get too excited about pointing out that "problem". It's normal procedure.

They process the two types exactly the same. If the couple is close to their two year wedding anniversary, it may not be clear which kind of visa they'll get until the day they actually get the visa, because a slight delay could change a CR-1 to an IR-1. So they don't make a distinction until they're ready to issue the visa, even for couples whose timelines make it pretty clear which kind of visa they'll be getting.

And note that, if you get a CR-1 visa a few weeks or months before your second wedding anniversary, and then you wait outside the US until after your wedding anniversary, and enter the US after your marriage is more than two years old, you'll enter with your CR-1 visa, but get IR-1 status and an unconditional ten year green card (assuming the officer at the POE doesn't make a mistake, which isn't always a good assumption). The type of status you get is determined by the age of your marriage on the date of entry to the US, while the type of visa you get is determined by the age of your marriage on the date the visa is issued. The status is what determines whether or not you'll have to file for removal of conditions, so it's the only thing that really matters for practical purposes.

Thanks lucy this information really helps. We're right on the borderline of two years, and we want to wait to enter the US until after the 2 years is up to get the IR1 status and avoid having to deal with immigration again in two years, and save some $$$ too ;-)

[erika33 0]

To add a bit to the already correct info.

Even if you're clearly applying for a CR-1 visa, some of your paperwork at the consulate (and maybe NVC) will say "IR-1" on it. Don't get too excited about pointing out that "problem". It's normal procedure.

They process the two types exactly the same. If the couple is close to their two year wedding anniversary, it may not be clear which kind of visa they'll get until the day they actually get the visa, because a slight delay could change a CR-1 to an IR-1. So they don't make a distinction until they're ready to issue the visa, even for couples whose timelines make it pretty clear which kind of visa they'll be getting.

And note that, if you get a CR-1 visa a few weeks or months before your second wedding anniversary, and then you wait outside the US until after your wedding anniversary, and enter the US after your marriage is more than two years old, you'll enter with your CR-1 visa, but get IR-1 status and an unconditional ten year green card (assuming the officer at the POE doesn't make a mistake, which isn't always a good assumption). The type of status you get is determined by the age of your marriage on the date of entry to the US, while the type of visa you get is determined by the age of your marriage on the date the visa is issued. The status is what determines whether or not you'll have to file for removal of conditions, so it's the only thing that really matters for practical purposes.

Lucyrich - My question is what should be done if couple has been married 19 months and USCIS issues IR-1 instead of CR1 by mistake? Visa was issued thru Consular Processing abroad.