US Marriage Visa
Immigrating and obtaining residence and citizenship of developed countries through a marriage visa has been welcomed by many applicants around the world because of its low cost and the short visa process. In most countries of the world, upon marriage, spouses can apply for residence and citizenship of their desired country, and the United States also follows this rule. According to the marriage laws of the United States, if a person marries an American citizen, they can apply for US citizenship or a US Green Card. In fact, the US marriage visa is an immigration route in which the Green Card is received right from the start. The marriage visa process takes on average between 1 and 2 years, and in some cases up to 3 or 4 years. To learn more, stay with Iranoca Immigration Marketing Company .
Immigration rules change often. This guide is a general introduction; check the current rules with a licensed lawyer before you act.
Types of US marriage visa
In general, the types of US marriage visa based on the spouse's residence status are as follows:
- IR1 visa: for the spouse of an American citizen if more than two years have passed since their marriage.
- CR1 visa: for the spouse of an American citizen if less than two years have passed since their marriage.
- F2A visa: for the spouse of a US resident (a United States Green Card holder) if more than two years have passed since their marriage.
- C21 visa: for the spouse of a US resident (a United States Green Card holder) if they married within the past two years.
Requirements for the applicant's spouse for the US marriage visa
- The American citizen must have a suitable job.
- The American citizen must be in good physical and mental health.
- The American citizen must have sufficient financial means.
- The American citizen must be the sponsor and financial supporter of their spouse.
Documents required to obtain the US marriage visa
- Passport
- Submission of sponsorship forms by the spouse (a US citizen or resident)
- Form DS-260 and its confirmation
- Standard photograph
- Identity documents
- Medical examination and vaccination forms
The process of obtaining the US marriage visa
- Filing the I-130 petition and submitting the required documents to USCIS
- Receiving the approval notice from USCIS
- Filing the DS-260 immigrant visa application
- Undergoing the required medical examinations
- Attending the US embassy for an interview
- Receiving the visa and immigration passport
- Paying the immigration fees online
- Travelling to the United States
- Receiving the Green Card by post (usually within 4 weeks of entering the US)
US marriage visa of the CR-1 and C21 types
The requirements for obtaining the CR-1 visa (for the spouse of a US citizen) and the C21 visa (for the spouse of a US resident) are the same. But you should note that these visas are for marriages of less than two years. A CR-1 visa holder can enter the US and obtain a two-year conditional Green Card, through which they can live with their spouse in the US for two years and are even permitted to work or study during this period. After two years, and upon proving that the marriage is genuine and official, the CR-1 visa holder can apply for a ten-year Green Card (unconditional US permanent residence). Then, 10 years after receiving the Green Card, they must remain in the country for 3 years in order to obtain US citizenship. All the points about the CR-1 visa also apply to the C21 visa.
US marriage visa of the IR-1 type
The requirements for obtaining the IR1 marriage visa are the same as for the marriage visa CR-1 , so below we only review the differences. If more than two years have passed since the couple's marriage, an IR-1 marriage visa is issued for the spouse of the US citizen. IR-1 marriage visa holders receive unconditional US permanent residence (a ten-year Green Card) from the moment they enter the US and can apply to renew it repeatedly. Unlike the CR-1 visa, the IR-1 visa holder will not need to prove the genuineness of their marriage to renew their Green Card. An important point is that the differences mentioned for these two types of visa ( IR-1 and CR-1 ) also apply to holders of the ( F2A and C21 ) visas.
Cost of the US marriage visa
Applicants for the US marriage visa must pay for the following services:
- Fee for filing the visa petition for the spouse (Form I-130)
- Fee for processing the immigrant visa application form (DS-260)
- Cost of obtaining the documents required for the immigrant visa application (such as passport, police certificate, etc.)
- Travel costs to the US consulate for the interview
- Cost of translating and scanning documents
- Visa pickup fee
- Cost of medical examinations and vaccinations
- Incidental costs (such as photographs, postage, transport and travel, etc.)
Important note: Costs differ between US states, and all visa fees paid are non-refundable (even if the application is refused).
| Immigration forms USCIS, NVC or US consulate | Cost |
| Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative | 535 dollars |
| Form I-130, additional information for the spouse | 0 dollars |
| Form DS-260, immigrant visa application | 325 dollars |
| Form I-864, affidavit of support | 120 dollars |
| Form I-693, medical certificate and vaccination records | 0 dollars |
| USCIS immigrant fee | 220 dollars |
| Total usual visa costs | 1200 dollars |
Note: Form I-693, the medical certificate and vaccination records, has no fee, but the physician charges you their fee.
Validity period of the types of US marriage visa and obtaining permanent residence
After obtaining the US marriage visa, you have six months to use it and travel to the United States. As mentioned above, by receiving a CR1 visa you obtain two-year conditional US residence. After two years, when the residence period ends, you must take steps to prove the genuineness of your marriage so that you can obtain US permanent residence, which is the 10-year Green Card, and renew it continuously. It should be noted that 3 years after receiving the 10-year Green Card you can apply for US citizenship. By obtaining an IR1 or F2A marriage visa, you receive permanent residence, i.e. the United States Green Card, after entering the US, and after some time you can obtain US citizenship.
In this article we have set out the details of the US marriage visa . Although obtaining a marriage visa is considered one of the practical and cost-effective ways of obtaining US citizenship or residence, because of the political relations between Iran and the United States this route is not currently a reliable immigration path. In addition, the process of obtaining the various US immigrant and non-immigrant visas, including the marriage visa, is highly sensitive, and the smallest unintentional mistake results in applicants wasting time and money. We therefore recommend that, for further information and advice on your circumstances, you contact Iranoca Immigration Marketing Company so that, through a specialist review of your immigration file, the best immigration plan can be adopted for you.
If you need advice , you can meet our consultants in person or online and learn about the process of obtaining your US marriage visa . You can also, right now, through our free assessment form, which is managed by expert consultants, check your eligibility for this type of visa.
Steps to obtain the US marriage visa
Dear applicant, if you would like to obtain the US marriage visa, follow the steps below
Assessment and consultation formFirst, by completing the free assessment form, you can send your basic circumstances and details for review by the lawyers. If your general circumstances are suitable, a call time will be scheduled for your consultation. Please note that this entire process is free and is reviewed and assessed by specialist staff
Receiving a confirmation letterAfter the consultation and completion of the immigration file process, a letter of approval or non-approval will be sent to you by licensed lawyers. This letter specifies whether or not you are eligible to immigrate, the type of immigration visa, and the route and conditions through which you can immigrate.
Registration in Obtaining the visa Frequently asked questions some users have had about the US marriage visaFrequently asked questions
What is the minimum passport validity required to apply for the US marriage visa?
To obtain the US marriage visa, your passport must be valid for up to 6 months after your likely date of entry into the US.
Are vaccinations and medical examinations necessary to obtain the US marriage visa?
Yes. To obtain the various US immigrant visas, including the US marriage visa, vaccinations in line with the standards of the US health authority (FDA) and medical examinations under the supervision of physicians approved by the US embassy are mandatory. The results of your medical examinations must be presented to the immigration officer on the day of the interview, so that the officer, once satisfied about your health, can decide on issuing your visa.
What are the consequences of a sham marriage for immigrating to the US?
If the US government and its immigration office become aware that your marriage is a sham, you will be permanently expelled from the country.
Is a language certificate (IELTS and TOEFL) mandatory to obtain the US marriage visa?
No, for most US immigrant visas, including the US marriage visa , a language certificate is not required, but for living in the country and building social connections, knowing English is a basic need of every foreign immigrant.