How long does the I-130 petition take?

USCIS processing for a spouse I-130 filed by a US citizen typically runs about 10 to 15 months in 2026, depending on the service center. Petitions filed by lawful permanent residents (F2A) can take longer.

How long does the CR-1 / IR-1 visa take end to end?

Most CR-1 and IR-1 cases take about 14 to 22 months from filing the I-130 to the consular interview, once you add USCIS, NVC, and embassy scheduling.

What is the difference between CR-1 and IR-1?

CR-1 is a conditional resident visa issued when the marriage is under two years old at the time of admission. IR-1 is issued when the marriage is at least two years old. Processing times are effectively the same.

Guide · Updated July 2026

US Spouse Visa Processing Times: I-130 and CR-1 Timeline

A stage-by-stage view of how long the US spouse visa really takes in 2026 — from filing the I-130, through the National Visa Center, to the CR-1 or IR-1 interview abroad. Ranges reflect published USCIS and Department of State data and typical couple experiences; your case may differ.

The short version

I-130 petition (USCIS): ~10–15 months for US citizen spouses; longer for F2A (LPR) petitioners.
National Visa Center (NVC): ~2–4 months once approved, depending on how quickly you submit documents and fees.
Consular interview (CR-1 / IR-1): ~1–4 months of embassy scheduling, then visa issuance within days if approved.
End to end: most couples land in the 14–22 month window from filing to visa in hand.

The five stages, in order

1. File the I-130 with USCIS

Day 0

The US citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse files Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS. You'll typically receive a receipt notice (I-797C) within 2–4 weeks. Your priority date is the day USCIS receives the petition.

2. USCIS reviews the I-130

~10–15 months

This is the longest single stage. USCIS publishes case processing times per service center; in 2026 most spouse I-130s from US citizens resolve in about 10–15 months. Requests for Evidence (RFEs) add 2–4 months. F2A petitions (LPR spouses) can take longer and may be subject to visa bulletin waits.

3. Case transfers to the NVC

~2–4 months

After approval, USCIS sends the case to the National Visa Center. NVC collects the DS-260, Affidavit of Support (I-864), civil documents, and fees. How fast this stage moves is mostly under your control — complete submissions and prompt responses shorten it significantly.

4. Interview scheduling at the embassy

~1–4 months

Once NVC marks the case "documentarily qualified," it's sent to the US embassy or consulate serving your spouse. Wait times vary widely by post — check the Department of State's visa appointment wait time page for the specific embassy.

5. Interview and visa issuance

Days to weeks

If approved at interview, the CR-1 or IR-1 visa is typically issued within 1–2 weeks and mailed to your spouse. They then have six months to enter the US, where they receive lawful permanent resident status on admission.

CR-1 vs IR-1

The category depends on how long you've been married at the time of US admission, not at filing. Under two years is CR-1 (conditional residency; you'll file I-751 to remove conditions two years later). Two years or more is IR-1 (unconditional 10-year green card on entry). Processing times are effectively identical — the label changes but the queue does not.

What actually moves the timeline

Clean initial filing. A complete I-130 with strong bona-fide-marriage evidence avoids RFEs, which are the single most common multi-month delay.
Fast NVC responses. Submit the DS-260, I-864, and civil documents together, in the right formats, the first time.
Embassy backlog. Interview wait times differ dramatically between posts. This is largely outside your control.
Administrative processing. A minority of cases go into 221(g) review after the interview, adding weeks to months.

How Togetherward helps

Togetherward is a shared workspace for internationally separated couples. It keeps your I-130 evidence, NVC documents, and interview prep organized in one place, tracks each stage against realistic ranges rather than best-case promises, and gives both partners visibility while you wait. It doesn't file for you and it isn't a law firm — but it does replace the spreadsheet, the shared drive, and the group chat with one calm case workspace.

Request beta access How Togetherward works

Not legal advice.

This guide summarizes publicly reported USCIS and Department of State processing ranges as of July 2026. It is not legal advice and Togetherward is not a law firm. Your case may vary; consult a licensed immigration attorney for guidance specific to your situation.