United States family reunification visa
2 current source-backed family reunification pathways. Verify the responsible authority before applying.
This page contains 2 current routes for this destination, with the available eligibility, requirements and duration details.
Source-backed legal route · Checked 2026-10-22
Current route records
| Route | Conditions | Effective or checked | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immigrant Visa for the Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR-1 / CR-1) | For the spouse of a U.S. citizen: the citizen files Form I-130, and the approved petition goes to consular processing abroad, or the spouse applies to adjust status in the United States. | 2026-10-22 | Official source |
| Family reunification route | U.S. family immigration covers immediate relatives and family-preference categories sponsored by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; eligibility depends on the qualifying family relationship and sponsor status. | 2026-07-15 | Official source |
Fees, processing times and requirements
Each value as the authority publishes it, in the currency it charges.
| Route | Fact | Value | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immigrant Visa for the Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR-1 / CR-1) | Application fee (online) | 625 USD | Official source |
| Immigrant Visa for the Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR-1 / CR-1) | Application fee (paper) | 675 USD | Official source |
| Immigrant Visa for the Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR-1 / CR-1) | Sponsor's income required | 27,050 USD | Official source |
| Immigrant Visa for the Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR-1 / CR-1) | Where to apply | at a consulate or in the country | Official source |
| Family reunification route | Application fee (consular) | 325 USD | Official source |
| Family reunification route | Application fee (Form I-485 online) | 1,390 USD | Official source |
| Family reunification route | Application fee (Form I-485 paper) | 1,440 USD | Official source |
| Family reunification route | Application fee | 325 USD | Official source |
| Family reunification route | Application fee (issuance) | 235 USD | Official source |
| Family reunification route | First permit valid for | 6 months | Official source |
| Family reunification route | Family member may work | yes | Official source |
| Family reunification route | Sponsor's income required | 27,050 USD | Official source |
| Family reunification route | Where to apply | at a consulate or in the country | Official source |
Can you work on this route?
Route-specific work rights and conditions stay separate from shortage-list status and individual eligibility.
| Route | Published work answer | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Family reunification route | The exact guide says an approved I-130 only verifies the relationship and that the outside relative should wait abroad to immigrate legally; a relative already in the United States after legal entry may apply for adjustment of status at the same time as the petition. | Official source |
| Family reunification route | The USCIS family-petition guide states that filing Form I-130 does not itself allow a relative outside the United States to live or work there. | Official source |