Free tool

Spouse visa from abroad (CR-1/IR-1)

Married to a US citizen and living outside the US. You enter as a green card holder.

Checked against official sources on October 21, 2026. Rules, fees and form editions change often. This list is a guide, not a guarantee. Confirm every item on the official USCIS or State Department page before you file.

Where you apply: First USCIS (your US partner), then the US consulate abroad.

Government fees

I-130 petition (paper / online)$675 / $625
Immigrant visa application fee$325
Affidavit of support review at the National Visa Center$120
USCIS Immigrant Fee, paid before you travel, so the card is printed$235

0 / 0 done

Step 1: the US citizen files I-130

Form I-130 and Form I-130A (edition 04/01/24 as of this check)
Proof of US citizenship
Marriage certificate, and divorce or death certificates for earlier marriages
One passport-style photo of each of you
Proof the marriage is real: photos over time, travel together, messages, joint finances
Check the edition date at the bottom of each form page on uscis.gov. Old editions are rejected
Sign every form by hand in black ink, keep a full copy, mail with tracking

Step 2: National Visa Center

Pay the $325 visa fee and the $120 affidavit fee in the CEAC system
Fill out the DS-260 online
I-864 affidavit of support (edition 08/24/26) with the sponsor's latest tax return and W-2s
Upload civil documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport bio page, police certificates

Step 3: interview and travel

Medical exam with the embassy's panel physician, before the interview
Bring originals of everything you uploaded, plus 2 photos
Pay the $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee online before you fly
Carry the sealed visa packet unopened and hand it to the officer at the airport
Married less than 2 years when you enter? Your card is conditional: remove conditions later with I-751

Official sources

All checklists

This is not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. If you have ever overstayed, been arrested or been refused entry, talk to an immigration attorney.