Chicago CR1 Visa Lawyer Helping Foreign-Born Spouses Immigrate

Marriage-based immigration is one of the most common reasons for coming to the United States. Often, when a U.S. citizen marries a foreigner, the non-citizen spouse goes through a long waiting time before they can receive a green card. The CR1 visa allows the person to enter the country to be united with their U.S. citizen or green card-holding spouse without the long wait associated with a green card application.

Obtaining a CR1 visa is a complicated process involving submitting evidence to show that the marriage is bona fide. Many clients think they can do it on their own, but they forget important documents or leave out sections they don’t realize are necessary. Don’t go it alone and risk missing important aspects of your application. Contact our knowledgeable legal team for help. Call 312-728-4610 today!

Who Qualifies For The CR1 Visa?

CR1 visas are intended for married couples where one spouse is either a lawful U.S. resident or a U.S. citizen. One of the hardest parts of getting your CR1 approved is showing the USCIS that your marriage is bona fide. You will be required to submit a great deal of evidence – that means more than just a marriage certificate! You might include photos, written affidavits, proof of joint bank accounts, and more.

Another qualification for CR1 visas is that the U.S. resident must show that they can financially support their spouse. Their income level must be over the required minimum, or they may attempt to file with a joint sponsor. Please let our talented legal team help ensure your application has the best chance of approval by reaching out to us for help gathering the proper evidence to prove your marriage is bona fide and that you fulfill financial requirements.

How Do You Apply for a CR1?

To get approved for a CR1 visa, you must submit the proper application and forms to the USCIS. Additional documents may also be required to verify that your marriage is valid.

Some important steps in applying for a CR1 visa are:

• Filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
• Proving your marriage is valid with evidence such as photographs of the two of you as a couple, joint bank accounts, joint leases, and so on
• Proving you have the financial ability to support the foreign-born spouse by providing evidence that the household income is at least 125% over the federal poverty level
• Showing evidence that the U.S. resident or citizen spouse resides in the United States

Filing for a CR1 visa or any immigration matter can be confusing. However, the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You should always speak with a professional for legal advice on your immigration journey. Call the Law Office of Kevin L. Dixler today to get started.

How Is A CR1 Visa Different From An IR1 Visa?

People often confuse these two visas because they are seemingly very similar. They both have to do with a spouse who is a U.S. resident and a spouse who is an immigrant. The difference between the visas is that with the CR1, the individual is limited by certain conditions, and the green card expires after two years. At this point, the person will have to petition to remove the conditions and have their immigration status upgraded.

On the other hand, the IR1 visa is awarded to people who have been married longer than two years. With these visas, the beneficiary has no conditions and will only need to renew their green card after ten years. For help understanding which visa is correct for you, reach out to our immigration law firm right away.

Can our CR1 Attorney Help You?

It can be terrifying to bear the burden of immigration decisions alone. With the many forms and visas available, immigrants may get confused and cause themselves delays or even deportation, which could have been avoided if they had hired an attorney.

Our legal team at the Law Office of Kevin L. Dixler will listen compassionately to your immigration goals. We will explain what is expected of you without using technical legal terms so you can understand precisely what is going on and what to expect. With our 30 years of experience, we are familiar with the nuances of immigration law and know how to work with the ever-changing USCIS regulations. Please don’t go through this challenging process alone. Let us guide you through the complex process of obtaining your CR1 visa. Call today at 312-728-4610!