Prepare the I-130 petition
Organize evidence of your legal marriage, your relationship and the petitioner’s status for a clear, well-supported petition.
Free consultation · No obligation
Talk about bringing your spouse here.
Share your details. We’ll contact you to arrange a free phone or video consultation. No obligation to hire.
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Your attorney. From the start.
Lawrence Ershaghi
Immigration Attorney
15+ years of legal experience
“He is fairly priced, generous, and goes above and beyond for his clients.”
Understand your options
The path from living apart to a U.S. green card.
For a spouse living abroad, the green card process generally uses an immigrant visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate. CR-1 and IR-1 are the categories used for spouses of U.S. citizens. After approval and admission to the U.S. on the immigrant visa, your spouse becomes a permanent resident. We guide you through the stages below and explain how your circumstances affect the process.
Prepare for the NVC stage
Understand the DS-260 immigrant visa application, required civil records and I-864 financial sponsorship documentation.
Prepare for the consular stage
Understand interview preparation, document requirements and case-specific concerns before the visa interview.
Know the fee before you move forward.
Your consultation is free. Before you hire us, we explain the flat legal fee and what it covers. Government filing fees and other third-party costs are separate.
What we’ll discuss in your consultation
We’ll start with the facts that shape your spouse’s immigration process:
- Where each spouse lives, when you married and the petitioner’s immigration status.
- Any petition already filed, immigration history or concerns about the case.
- Financial sponsorship, plans to live in the U.S. and your questions about the next stage.
You do not need a complete file to get started. Please keep documents and sensitive details out of this contact form.
Green card questions for spouses abroad
Clear answers before you take the next step.
What is the difference between CR-1 and IR-1?
For a spouse of a U.S. citizen, the distinction generally depends on the length of the marriage when the spouse becomes a permanent resident. A marriage under two years generally results in conditional residence. We explain which category applies to your case.
Can a green card holder sponsor a spouse abroad?
Yes, but the family preference category and visa availability rules differ from a U.S. citizen spouse’s case. Tell us the petitioner’s status so we can discuss the appropriate process.
What if we both live outside the U.S.?
We can discuss filing from abroad and the petitioner’s U.S. domicile and financial sponsorship requirements. A joint sponsor does not by itself resolve every sponsorship requirement.
How long will the spouse visa process take?
Timing depends on USCIS, document review, the consular post and the circumstances of the case. We discuss the current process during your consultation; no completion date or approval is guaranteed.
Is this a temporary visa or a green card process?
This is a route to permanent residence. The immigrant visa lets your spouse travel to seek admission to the U.S. as a permanent resident. The physical green card is issued separately. It is different from a visitor visa or K-1 fiancé visa.
Can you help when we are in different countries?
Yes. Consultations take place by phone or video, so you can discuss the case from different locations. We explain the legal work, communication and fees before you decide whether to hire us.
Personal legal guidance. Clear next steps.
Start planning your life in the same place.
Tell us how to reach you. We’ll arrange a free consultation about your spouse’s green card process, your questions and the legal fee.