USA Spousal Visa Process 2026: Step-by-Step Application Guide

Reuniting with your spouse in the United States is a beautiful thing. It shows love and commitment. But in 2026, the process is more strict. There are new rules, higher fees from the USCIS Fee Increase in early 2026, and a pause on visas from many high-risk countries starting January 21, 2026. This pause affects over 75 nations. It makes things harder and can add delays.

This guide helps you understand the steps for a Marriage Green Card in 2026. It covers CR1 Visa vs. IR1 Visa in 2026, and filing from inside the U.S. Follow this to avoid mistakes and reduce waits from the USCIS Processing Backlog in 2026.

Understanding the 2026 Pathways: CR1, IR1, and AOS

The first thing you need to do is choose the right path for your spousal visa.

There are two main ways:

• Consular Processing: This is for when your spouse lives outside the United States. After approval, your spouse goes to a U.S. embassy or consulate for an interview. If the marriage is less than 2 years old, you get a CR1 Visa (conditional green card). If the marriage is more than 2 years old, you get an IR1 Visa (permanent green card right away).
• Adjustment of Status (AOS): This is for when your spouse is already in the U.S. on a valid visa (like a tourist or student visa). You file papers together to change status to a green card without leaving the country. This often uses concurrent filing of Form I-130 and Form I-485.

Pick the path that matches where your spouse is now. Each path has different steps and times.

Filing Form I-130 – The Foundation

Form I-130 is the main form to start. The U.S. citizen or green card holder files it to prove you are married and the relationship is real.

Here is how to do it step by step in 2026:

• File online if you can. It gives a small discount, like $50 less than paper filing in some cases.
• Use the correct form edition. In 2026, you must use the USCIS Form Edition from January 20, 2025 or later. Old versions get rejected right away.
• Show proof of a real marriage. USCIS uses AI to check small details now. Send more than just bank accounts and rent papers. Add things like shared online accounts (streaming services), photos from trips with dates, messages, and plans you made together.

Gather strong evidence early. This helps avoid requests for more proof.

Financial and Character Vetting (New 2026 Standards)

After I-130, you show you can support your spouse financially and have good character.

• Financial Rules You file Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support). Your income must be at least 125% of the Poverty Guidelines for 2026. These guidelines change with inflation. For a family of two (you and your spouse), the number is higher now. If your income is low, you can use a joint sponsor who meets the rules.
• Character Rules In 2026, there is a new focus on “positive moral character.” You cannot just show no crimes. You must prove you help society, like volunteer work or community involvement. Both the sponsor and applicant need to show this.

Fees are higher now. Form I-130 costs about $675. For AOS, Form I-485 is around $1,440. Total costs for marriage green card can be $3,500 to $5,000 or more. This includes medical exams and other things. USCIS wants electronic payments now, not checks.

National Visa Center (NVC) and Consular Processing

If your spouse is outside the U.S., after USCIS approves I-130, the case goes to the National Visa Center (NVC).

What happens next:

1. NVC creates your case. This usually takes about 2 weeks after approval.
2. Fill out DS-260 form. This is the online visa application.
3. Public charge check is stricter now. Officers look at English skills, credit history in the U.S., health, and more to see if you might need government help.
4. Get police clearance certificates. You need them from every country where you lived for 6 months or more since age 16.

Pay fees and send documents carefully. Mistakes cause big delays.

Note: If your country is on the High-Risk Country Visa Pause list (over 75 countries like Pakistan, Nigeria, Iran, and others), visa issuance is paused from January 21, 2026. You can still apply and interview, but no visa comes out until the pause ends. This adds at least 6 months or more for security checks.

Medical Exams and the Interview

The last big steps are the medical exam and interview.

• Do the medical exam with a approved doctor. Use Form I-693 if needed for AOS. COVID-19 vaccine is not required anymore in 2026, but other shots are important.
• Go to the interview. For consular processing, it is at the embassy. For AOS, it is with USCIS.

Interviews check for real marriage. In 2026, “Stokes Interviews” happen more often. Officers ask hard questions like:

• How is your bedroom set up?
• When did you meet each other’s family?
• What was your last joint payment or purchase?

Prepare well. Talk about daily life together. Bring photos, bills, and letters.

Timelines: How Long Will It Take?

Times are still long even with some improvements.

• Consular processing (spouse abroad): About 14.3 months on average.
• Adjustment of status (inside U.S.): About 9.3 months on average.

After your case is “documentarily complete,” the interview comes in 60-90 days usually. But if from a high-risk country, add 6 months or more for extra checks. Backlogs make some cases longer. Check USCIS website for latest times. They change.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion: Take Action Today

The USA Spousal Visa Process in 2026 is tough with new fees, pauses, and strict checks. But good preparation helps a lot. Get all papers right, use current forms, and show strong proof of your marriage.

Start now if you can. Check official sites like uscis.gov and travel.state.gov for updates. Rules change fast. Do you have questions about the new moral character rules or anything else? Feel free to ask. Share this guide with friends who need it. Stay updated on changes.

Disclaimer: This is for information only. Always check official government websites like uscis.gov or state.gov before you decide or file. Talk to an immigration expert if needed.