CR-1 visa

• - Allows entry as a lawful permanent resident from the moment of U.S. arrival.

- No need for a temporary visa or separate adjustment of status process.

- Includes eligibility for a Social Security Number, employment authorization, and travel freedom.

- Serves as the first step toward naturalization for eligible spouses.

SJKP LLP guides couples through each stage, helping to build a strong, credible record of their marriage and shared life.

Our attorneys help determine the appropriate visa category and prepare for the transition from CR-1 to IR-1 status after the conditional period.

The U.S. citizen spouse must first file Form I-130 with USCIS, establishing the legitimacy of the marital relationship.
Once approved, the petition moves to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further document review and case creation.

We assist petitioners with assembling evidence—marriage certificates, photos, correspondence, and joint financial records—to prove the marriage’s authenticity and avoid unnecessary delays.

At this stage, the following must be submitted:

• - Form DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa Application)

- Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) to prove financial stability

- Civil documents (birth certificates, marriage license, police clearances)

SJKP LLP ensures compliance with all NVC requirements and prepares couples for the next phase: the consular interview.

The foreign spouse will attend an interview at the U.S. consulate or embassy in their country of residence.
During the interview, officers assess whether the marriage is genuine and ongoing.
Our firm provides interview preparation and conducts mock sessions, helping applicants answer confidently and consistently.

During the two-year conditional period, couples must:

• - Continue to live together as spouses.

- Maintain shared financial and household responsibilities.

- Avoid criminal activity or long absences abroad that could jeopardize residency.

SJKP LLP provides ongoing compliance support, ensuring clients are well-prepared for the next major step—removing conditions.

To convert conditional status to permanent residency, couples must jointly file Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence)
within 90 days before the second anniversary of receiving the green card.
We assist clients in compiling updated evidence of marital life, such as tax returns, joint leases, birth certificates of children, and photos.

If the marriage ends before the two-year period, we help clients pursue waiver-based I-751 petitions supported by proof of good faith marriage and eligibility under USCIS rules.

USCIS and consular officers frequently investigate for fraudulent or convenience marriages.
Any inconsistencies in documentation or testimony may trigger further review or denial.
Our attorneys ensure that all materials—photos, affidavits, and communication records—paint a clear, truthful portrait of your marriage.

Applicants may receive RFEs requesting additional proof of relationship, income, or identity.
SJKP LLP responds promptly with comprehensive, organized evidence to minimize further delay.

If a couple divorces or separates before removing conditions, the foreign spouse may still qualify for a waiver based on:

• - Proof of good-faith marriage, or

- Evidence of abuse or hardship.

We handle these sensitive cases with care, ensuring clients retain lawful status despite personal challenges.

• - Reside primarily in the U.S. and avoid absences over six months.

- File U.S. taxes as a resident.

- Renew green cards and report address changes promptly.

Our attorneys advise clients on maintaining continuous residence to protect eligibility for future citizenship.

Once conditions are removed, the individual receives a 10-year permanent green card (IR-1).
After three years as a permanent resident—while married to a U.S. citizen—the spouse may apply for U.S. citizenship via Form N-400.

New permanent residents may also sponsor certain family members, such as children or parents, once eligible.
We guide clients through these secondary sponsorships to help families remain united in the U.S.

The CR-1 Visa applies to marriages that are less than two years old at the time of approval and grants a two-year conditional green card.
By contrast, the IR-1 Visa is for couples who have been married two years or longer and provides immediate permanent residency without conditions.
In essence, both lead to the same destination—lawful permanent residency—but through different timelines.

Yes.
Once you enter the United States on a CR-1 visa, you automatically become a lawful permanent resident.
This means you may work and travel freely without needing an additional Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or advance parole.

If the marriage ends before you remove conditions, you can still file Form I-751 individually by requesting a waiver of joint filing.
To qualify, you must show that your marriage was entered into in good faith and ended in divorce, annulment, or abuse.
SJKP LLP assists clients in preparing strong waiver petitions with proper documentation to protect their status.

Yes.
After successfully removing conditions and maintaining lawful residence for three years, while remaining married to your U.S. citizen spouse,
you become eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship (naturalization).
Our attorneys guide clients through every stage, from I-751 filing to Form N-400 preparation.