K-1 Visa Vs. CR-1 Visa: How Is a Fiancé Visa Different from a Marriage Green Card?
Comparing the pros and cons of the K-1 vs. CR-1 Spouse visa
CR-1 Visa Vs. K-1 Visa: What’s the Difference?
The CR-1 visa is for couples who are already married. It allows the foreign spouse to enter the U.S. as a permanent resident with a green card in hand. The K-1 visa is for engaged couples who plan to marry within 90 days of arrival in the U.S. After the wedding, the foreign spouse must apply for a green card through a process called adjustment of status.
Planning a life together in the U.S. with your partner can be an exciting yet daunting process — especially when you’re navigating the U.S. immigration system. If one of you is a U.S. citizen living abroad and you’re ready to settle down in the States, you might be wondering which visa is the right fit. This guide will break down the two most common visa options for couples in your situation: the K-1 fiancé(e) visa and the CR-1 spouse visa.
Key Differences Between the K-1 and CR-1 Visas
- Marital status:
K-1 is for engaged couples; CR-1 is for couples who are already legally married. - Green card:
CR-1 holders receive a green card upon arrival; K-1 holders must marry in the U.S. and then apply for a green card. - Work eligibility:
CR-1 holders can work immediately; K-1 holders must apply for a work permit after entering the U.S. - Processing time:
K-1 visas can be processed more quickly, but the full path to a green card often takes longer than the CR-1.
Comparing the K-1 Fiancé Visa and Marriage Green Card
There are lots of reasons to consider either a K-1 fiancé visa or a CR-1 spousal visa (marriage green card) when planning your life together in the U.S.:
Benefits of the K-1 Fiancé Visa
- Faster Processing: If you’re eager to start your life together in the U.S. as soon as possible, the K-1 visa approval process is currently only 4-7 months.
- Wedding in the U.S.: If you dream of getting married in the U.S., the K-1 visa is your only legal option, as it allows your fiancé(e) to enter the U.S. specifically for the purpose of marriage.
- “Trial period” before marriage: The K-1 visa offers a unique “trial period” for couples to test their compatibility by living together if they want in the U.S. before marriage, potentially leading to a stronger foundation for their future together.
Benefits of the CR-1 Spousal Visa
- Permanent Residency Upon Arrival: Your spouse becomes a permanent resident immediately upon entering the U.S., bypassing the need for additional steps.
- Immediate Work Authorization: Your spouse can start working and contributing financially right away and doesn’t need to pay additional fees for the employment authorization application.
- Wedding Flexibility: You can marry at your own pace, without the 90-day deadline imposed by the K-1 visa.
- Unrestricted Travel: Your spouse enjoys the freedom to travel freely in and out of the U.S. with their Green Card.
- Potential Cost Savings: Proxy weddings can be a cost-effective option if certain requirements are met.
Want to marry in the U.S. or abroad? Our questionnaire can help you determine the best visa for your wedding plans. Get started now.
Fiancé Visa Vs. CR-1 Spouse Visa Timelines
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) releases processing times for both the K-1 fiancé(e) visa (Form I-129F) and CR-1 spousal visa (Form I-130) every quarter. The most recent USCIS data shows the K-1 visa takes 6 months, while the CR-1 visa takes 14.4 months. However, Boundless partner Track My Visa Now, which provides more up-to-date processing times, estimates the current K-1 visa processing time at 4-7 months. Keep in mind that various factors can affect your specific processing time, so these timelines are just estimates.
Boundless tracks USCIS processing times data every month by application type. Below are the median timelines (as of March 2025), according to our internal analysis.
| Fiance Visa (I-129F) | Spousal Visa (U.S. Citizen Petitioner I-130) |
|---|---|
| 4-7 months | 14.3 months |
To check the processing time for your specific form and field office, visit uscis.gov
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Which Is More Affordable: Fiancé Visa Vs. CR-1 Spousal Visa?
The chart below shows you a breakdown of costs to obtain a fiancé visa or spousal visa and in both cases, the costs to get a green card.
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Which Is Better, a K-1 Visa or Spouse Visa?
The “better” visa depends entirely on your specific circumstances and priorities as a couple. Here’s the bottom line in 2025:
- If you want to marry in the U.S. and prioritize a faster process: The K-1 visa might be a better fit.
- If you are already married and want your spouse to have a Green Card and work permit upon arrival in the U.S.: The CR-1 visa is likely the better option.
- If cost is a major concern: The K-1 visa might be more appealing due to its lower initial fees, however its a more expensive path to a green card.
Does the U.S. have a “partner” visa?
While other countries may have a generic “partner visa,” the U.S. immigration system distinguishes between visas for engaged couples (K-1 fiancé(e) visa) and those for married couples (CR-1 spousal visa). Both visas allow your partner to live and work in the U.S. permanently, but the process and requirements differ depending on your marital status.
Frequently Asked Questions
The K-3 visa allows the spouse of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States while they wait for their green card to be approved. However, the K-3 visa is rarely used. Since 2011, K-3 visas have made up less than 1% of K issuances. Generally, the CR-1 spousal visa offers the same benefits as the K-3 visa but is quicker and costs less. For more info, check out the Boundless guide about why the K-3 visa isn’t a viable option.
Yes, CR1 visa holders are permitted to work as soon as they arrive in the United States. They don’t need to apply for a separate work permit.
No, only a U.S. citizen can sponsor a fiancé for a K-1 visa. However, a green card holder may sponsor their spouse for a marriage green card.
The K-1 visa itself has the same initial filing fee as the CR-1 (marriage green card) visa, but the overall cost of obtaining a Green Card is higher with the K-1 visa process. This is because after arriving in the U.S. on a K-1 visa, you must marry within 90 days and then file for adjustment of status (Form I-485) to become a permanent resident. This additional step involves an additional filing fee, bringing the total government fees for the K-1 process higher than those for the CR-1 visa process.
The CR-1 visa allows you to work as soon as you arrive in the U.S. and travel overseas if necessary. The K-1 visa, however, does not allow the foreign fiancé to work until they receive their marriage green card.
To be eligible for a K-1 visa, you must be engaged to a U.S. citizen and plan to marry within 90 days of arriving in the U.S. You must also prove that you have met in person at least once within the two years prior to applying for the visa.
There is no set time that you have to be in a relationship to qualify for a K-1 visa, but you must be able to prove that your relationship is genuine and not solely for immigration purposes and you have to have met in person in the last two years.
Yes, as a lawful permanent resident, CR1 visa holders are free to travel outside of the U.S. However, they shouldn’t leave the country for more than one year, as this may affect their eligibility for citizenship or reentry into the United States.
A K-1 visa allows you to stay in the U.S. for 90 days to get married and apply for a marriage green card via the adjustment of status process.
To sponsor a K-1 visa, the U.S. citizen must show an adjusted gross income that equals at least 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines on their most recent tax return. If they don’t meet this requirement, they can use a joint sponsor to meet the income threshold.
Overall, CR-1 visas tend to have a higher approval rate on average than K-1 visas. According to recent government data, K-1 visas have about a 25% denial rate, while CR1s have an average denial rate of around 8-9%. This difference in approval rates could be due to the fact that K-1 applicants may face additional challenges in proving an authentic relationship since no legal relationship has been established yet through marriage. However, each case is unique and it is always at the discretion of USCIS to either approve or deny an application.
K-1 visa denials can occur for various reasons such as failure to meet eligibility requirements, doubts about the authenticity of the relationship, insufficient evidence, and criminal or immigration violations.
If your fiancé leaves you after marriage on a K-1 visa, you may be eligible for conditional permanent residency through a waiver. However, the process can be complicated, and you should consult with an immigration attorney for guidance.
The current processing time for the CR1 visa is – months if you’re married to a U.S. citizen and – months if you’re married to a green card holder.