As of 2025, most CR-1 visa cases are taking 12 to 16 months from the initial petition to visa issuance. However, processing times may be faster if all documents are complete, your consulate has low demand, and there are no delays such as RFEs or administrative processing. Petitioners in the U.S. should also account for mailing times and online communication delays.

After visa approval, your spouse usually receives the CR-1 visa in their passport within 2–4 weeks. Once they enter the U.S., they are automatically considered a lawful permanent resident, and a green card is mailed to their U.S. address within 45–90 days. The “CR” designation applies if you’ve been married less than 2 years at entry.

The time it takes can vary by country of the beneficiary. Some U.S. consulates have faster interview scheduling and processing, while others (e.g., high-volume posts like Manila, Islamabad, or Lagos) may experience longer wait times. Embassy workload and regional backlogs can add several extra months to the overall timeline.