When your alien (Non-U.S. citizen) spouse still resides in another country and you filed a petition for his/her immigrant visa, your alien spouse will receive CR1 or IR1 visa prior to his/her entry to the United States. So what is the difference between CR1 Visa and IR1 Visa? ​ The “CR” from CR1 stands for "conditional resident" and is applicable to couples who’ve been married fewer than 2 years. The “IR” from IR1 stands for "immediate relative" and is applicable to couples w