Q1021. What is the difference between US K-1 fiancé and CR-1 spouse visa?

Answered by the NYC Visa & Translation team

A K-1 visa lets the foreign fiancé(e) of a US citizen enter the United States to marry, while a CR-1 immigrant visa is for an already-married spouse. After entering on a K-1, the couple must marry within the required period and the foreign spouse must apply for adjustment of status to obtain permanent residence. A CR-1 holder generally becomes a conditional permanent resident upon admission; the marriage's duration determines whether CR-1 or IR-1 classification applies. K-1 sponsorship is limited to US citizens, while spousal immigration can also involve permanent-resident sponsors under different rules. Confirm current requirements with USCIS and the US Department of State. Thai civil records need compliant translations.