| The Immigrant visa process for obtaining a CR-1 | | | | a Customs and Border Protection checkpoint. |
| Visa will probably not experience a great deal of | | | | Once conditions are lifted the immigrant is an |
| change in 2010. That being said, some proposed | | | | unconditional lawful permanent resident. This |
| legislation currently pending in the US Congress | | | | means that their residence is indefinite so long as |
| could impact all aspects of US Immigration law. | | | | they remain in the territorial confines and/or |
| The following article explores this issue. | | | | immigration jurisdiction of the United States of |
| The CR-1 visa (Conditional Resident Visa) is a | | | | America as defined in the United States |
| travel document often utilized by Immigrant | | | | Immigration and Nationality Act. In 2009, great |
| spouses of United States Citizens who wish to | | | | strides were made to facilitate lifting of conditions |
| reunite with their American counterpart to take | | | | for widows and widowers of United States |
| up lawful permanent residence in America. | | | | Citizens. |
| Currently, the United States Citizenship and | | | | Although there is a proposed rule that would raise |
| Immigration Service (USCIS) is estimating that it | | | | fees for K visa interviewees. At present, there |
| takes 5 months for to adjudicate an I-130 | | | | doesn't seem to be any pending legislation that |
| application (the application used when applying for | | | | would significantly increase the government fees |
| a CR-1 visa). This shouldn't be mistakenly viewed | | | | in connection with immigrant family visa |
| as the entire time it takes to obtain this visa as | | | | applications. That being said, there is always the |
| CR-1 visa applications must process through the | | | | possibility that fees will be raised in the future, but |
| National Visa Center (NVC), this can be a very | | | | any effort to make guesses about fee increases |
| time intensive phase of the process. Also, a US | | | | would be an exercise in mere speculation. |
| visa applicant will need to process their application | | | | Comprehensive Immigration Reform may have a |
| and have a visa interview at a United States | | | | direct impact upon the CR-1 visa process. At the |
| Consulate or Embassy abroad. A good estimate | | | | present time, the United States Congress is |
| of the time line of the entire process is 11-12 | | | | discussing a bill that may dramatically overhaul the |
| months from initial application submission until final | | | | current US immigration system. How this will |
| decision. | | | | affect the CR-1 visa process remains to be seen, |
| Another issue with regard to the overall legal | | | | but there is no doubt that the future of United |
| disposition of an immigrant present in the United | | | | State Immigration law will be dynamic and |
| States on a CR-1 visa is that of conditionality of | | | | probably different from the legislation currently on |
| residence. Anyone who is admitted to the United | | | | the books. |
| States in CR-1 status must subsequently file an | | | | (The above information is for general research |
| application for a lift of conditions at some point. A | | | | and educational purposes only. No attorney/client |
| lift of conditions is necessary as CR-1 visa holders | | | | relationship is formed by reading this article. For |
| are only granted 2 years of lawful permanent | | | | individualized legal advice please contact a licensed |
| residence upon admission to the United States at | | | | attorney. |