The IR-1 and CR-1 are the same visa, an Immigrant Visa. It is the length of time married at entry to the US that determines your immigration status. If you have been married less than two years you will have conditions on your Permanent Resident Status and will be granted a two year green card. You must then apply to have this condition removed within 90 days of the two year anniversary of your entry to the US. If you have been married two years or more on entry you will be granted Permanent Resident status with a 10 year green card.
Please click the green todays tip button to read all our tips for the petition, visa, and immigration processes
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Tips for the petition, visa, and immigration processes
There is no such thing as a Co-sponsor. The correct terms are Joint Sponsor or Household Member.
The IR-1 and CR-1 are the same visa, an Immigrant Visa. It is the length of time married at entry to the US that determines your immigration status. If you have been married less than two years you will have conditions on your Permanent Resident Status and will be granted a two year green card. You must then apply to have this condition removed within 90 days of the two year anniversary of your entry to the US. If you have been married two years or more on entry you will be granted Permanent Resident status with a 10 year green card.
Where possible, pay any fees via personal check, rather than a money order or bank check.
Always keep a complete set of copies of forms and documents submitted.
Always send your packages and any correspondence via "trackable" mail service.
Always submit USCIS/DOS forms in the original. Do not submit photocopies. Signatures must be original. Documents you are supplying (such as birth certificates & divorce decrees) may be submitted as photocopies. Never submit original documents to USCIS unless specifically requested to do so.
Tax transcripts from the IRS are fast, free and available with a simple phonecall. They are also preferred for immigration submissions.
Request transcripts by calling 1-800-829-1040 and order multiple years with one call.
Use blue pen when signing immigration forms. This will assist in your signature not mistakenly being thought to be a photocopy.
The visa applicant should ensure that their passport has minimum of 6 months validity at the time the visa will be issued.
Double and triple check your petition or application prior to submission.
If you have an older child or children please ensure to read about 'aging out', prior to making a decision on which visa path to take.
Important tips for Social Security applications are in the SSN Guide.
Much information and many resource links can be found in the various guides, accessable in the Guides & Flowchart menu.
Read up on the differences between the I-134 and I-864 Affidavits of Support and which processes they are used and not used for.
Answer every question on the Forms. If the answer is 'NONE' put 'NONE' or something to that effect, that answers the question. In most cases a question is applicable so the use of N/A should be used carefully.
Always check for any 'Special Filing Instructions' on the
USCIS forms page.
