CR6 Green Card: Path to Permanent Residency

Key Takeaways

• A CR6 Green Card is issued to the spouse of a U.S. citizen who has been married for less than two years at the time of approval.
• It provides conditional permanent residency for two years and must be converted to a 10-year permanent green card before expiration.
• Holders must file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, within 90 days before their card expires.
• Failing to remove conditions can lead to loss of lawful resident status and potential removal proceedings.
• Divorce, death of a spouse, or evidence issues can complicate removal of conditions but waivers and exemptions exist.
• Understanding the difference between CR1, CR6, and CF1 green cards helps applicants identify the correct immigration path.

What is a Conditional Green Card?

A Conditional Green Card is a document that provides foreign nationals who are married to United States citizens a two-year residency. A conditional green card is only valid for two years and cannot be renewed. This type of green card is typically issued to an individual married for less than two years prior to having a green card issued. The conditional green card holder has the same rights as a green card holder in that they can live and work in the United States for the two-year limit. To remain in the United States, at some point during this time frame, the status of the conditional green card must be updated to a 10-year green card. If the update isn't made during the 90-day window prior to the conditional green card expiration date, the permanent resident status will be withdrawn and the cardholder will be legally required to leave the country.

Eligibility and Purpose of the CR6 Green Card

The CR6 Green Card is granted to foreign spouses of U.S. citizens when the marriage is less than two years old at the time of obtaining residency. The “CR” stands for Conditional Resident, and the “6” denotes that the immigrant entered the U.S. as a spouse of a citizen under conditional status.

To qualify for a CR6 Green Card, applicants must:

• Be legally married to a U.S. citizen.
• Prove the marriage was entered in good faith, not solely for immigration benefits.
• Attend a marriage-based green card interview to demonstrate the relationship’s authenticity.
• Reside in the U.S. and maintain compliance with immigration regulations.

Children of CR6 holders may receive derivative status under the CR7 category, provided they were included in the parent’s original petition.

What is Conditional Permanent Residency?

An individual that has married a citizen of the United States and has immigrated to the country before their second wedding anniversary is granted conditional permanent resident status with a conditional green card. The children of a conditional permanent resident may also be granted conditional permanent residency.

Investors with the EB-5 visa are granted conditional permanent residency. The EB-5 visa is granted to foreign investors that meet specific criteria. The visa and conditional permanent residency can be extended to the spouse and children of the investor.

How to Remove Conditions on Green Card?

If you don't take action prior to the conditional green card expiring, you will lose your residency status. This means that conditional green card holders must begin the process of removal of conditions prior to the expiration of the conditional green card. Although the process of removing conditions is similar, there are differences for those conditional green card holders by marriage and by investment.

A specific form is required for each of the green card types. It must be completed and submitted with the required documents. If the application is for the removal of conditions to a green card, the applicant must also complete an interview. For marriage green cards specifically, the applicants are typically required to answer several green card interview questions honestly and exhaustively.

Conditional Green Card Removal Interview

In late April of 2022, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a government agency, started a new policy in relation to its immigration laws when it comes to conditional green card removal interviews. The new policy implements a risk-based approach that is expected to increase efficiency and reduce processing times. USCIS has specific criteria to follow to determine if the conditional green card holder must undergo an interview. Essentially, this criteria involves that there must be sufficient evidence as to the legitimacy of the marriage. Immigration services, part of another government agency, is aware of this and are working with the USCIS to implement the policy.

Removing conditions for a Marriage Green Card

To remove conditions for a conditional marriage green card, the conditional resident must file Form I-751. The conditional resident will have to provide supporting documentation (see our page about proof of marriage documents), including an original certificate of marriage and a joint petition to remove the conditions. You'll also have to pay the filing fee.

Removing conditions for an Investor

According to current immigration laws, to remove the conditions to become a permanent resident based on financial investment, the individual with conditional resident status will have to file Form I-829 for the removal of the conditions and become a permanent resident.

Step-by-Step Process to Remove Conditions on a CR6 Green Card

To transition from a CR6 conditional green card to a 10-year permanent resident card, you must file Form I-751 within 90 days before the card expires. The following steps apply:

1. Prepare Documentation:
   • Copy of your conditional green card.
   • Joint documents showing an ongoing marital relationship, such as leases, tax returns, joint bank accounts, and photos.
2. Submit Form I-751:
   • File jointly with your spouse unless a waiver applies.
   • Include the $595 filing fee plus $85 biometrics fee per applicant.
3. Attend the Biometrics Appointment:
   • USCIS will schedule you for fingerprinting and background checks.
4. Interview (If Required):
   • Some applicants are interviewed if USCIS finds discrepancies or insufficient evidence.
5. Receive Approval and New Card:
   • Once approved, you will receive a 10-year green card as a lawful permanent resident.

Failure to apply during the 90-day window may cause USCIS to automatically terminate your conditional resident status and begin removal proceedings.

What Happens If You Don’t Remove the Conditions?

If you don't remove the conditions, you will not be granted permanent resident status and, per citizen and immigration services, you'll have to leave the country. You may also want to check our page about green card renewal.

How Long Does It Take to Remove Conditions on a Green Card?

It is assumed that your goal is to become a permanent resident, as opposed to a conditional permanent resident. To transition from a conditional permanent resident to a permanent resident, you must remove the conditions or you will be required to leave the country, per citizenship and immigration services.

Reasons for Your Removal of Conditions To Be Denied

There are different reasons for your permanent resident card to not be issued and your removal of conditions to be denied. It could be that you did not file the form required in the right time frame. Another reason is lack of evidence and, if that occurs, you'll be given instructions for refiling (see our page about USCIS request for evidence). That makes it critical that you seek to remove the conditions prior to when the conditional green card expires.

Common Mistakes That Delay or Deny CR6 Green Card Removal

USCIS may deny Form I-751 for several reasons, many of which are avoidable:

• Insufficient evidence of a bona fide marriage.
• Missing documents, such as tax transcripts or joint financial statements.
• Filing the petition after expiration without a valid explanation.
• Incorrect fee payment or unsigned forms.
• Failing to update address changes with USCIS.

If your application is denied, you can file a motion to reopen or appeal the decision. USCIS typically sends a Notice to Appear (NTA) if your status is terminated, but you may still present your case before an immigration judge.

Conditional Green Card Divorce

If you get divorced while you are considered to have a conditional residence, but prior to being considered to have a permanent residence, you may face extra risks to your immigration status. USCIS will require that you submit your divorce decree as part of the documentation.

Since "bad faith" is often included in these divorce cases because of the effort by the citizen spouse to prove that the foreign national spouse is trying to circumvent immigration laws, it may be better to let the divorce go to the court where the accusing spouse will have to prove that the marriage was in bad faith. If you still want to apply for permanent residency, you'll want to have the joint filing requirement waived and provide evidence of the legitimacy of the marriage. You will also need to provide a copy of your final divorce decree. You'll also need to show that your marriage was in good faith. Check our page about conditional green card divorce.

Removing Conditions After Divorce or Separation

A CR6 green card holder who divorces a U.S. citizen before the two-year mark can still remove conditions by applying for a waiver of the joint filing requirement. You must prove the marriage was entered in good faith but ended in divorce. Acceptable evidence includes:

• Proof of shared property ownership or joint lease.
• Affidavits from family and friends affirming the relationship’s authenticity.
• Documentation showing joint finances or commingled assets.

If abuse or extreme cruelty occurred, applicants can file under the VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) provisions, which allow self-petitioning without the U.S. spouse’s participation.

What Happens if My Spouse Dies?

If your spouse dies, you might be wondering what happens to your conditional residence status or your permanent residence status. Even if your spouse dies prior to when the conditional residence expires in two years, you can still file Form I-751. Immigration may see this as an extreme hardship and make it possible for you to obtain permanent residence status based on your application alone. To apply for extreme hardship, you'll have to provide evidence, which may help you attain permanent residency. This will need to be accompanied by your Form I-751.

CR6 green card

A CR6 green card is a conditional green card issued to the spouse of a citizen of the United States. This involves filing Form I-751. See our page about marrying a U.S. citizen.

CR6 vs. CR1 and CF1 Green Cards Explained

Although CR6, CR1, and CF1 cards all relate to marriage-based immigration, they differ in entry status and approval process:

Understanding these categories helps applicants ensure they follow the correct immigration pathway when transitioning from fiancé(e) or conditional spouse to full permanent resident.

CF1 green card

A CF1 green card is a conditional green card issued after entering the United States as a fiance or fiancee to a citizen of the United States. You will have to file Form I-751.

CR1-11 visa

The CR1-11 visas are conditional marriage-based green cards, which the conditional permanent resident receives if the marriage is in good faith. This will involve filing jointly with your spouse.

Maintaining Status and Preparing for U.S. Citizenship

Once you remove conditions from your CR6 Green Card and receive a 10-year permanent resident card, you may later apply for U.S. citizenship. You must:

• Have held permanent resident status for at least three years if still married to your U.S. spouse.
• Demonstrate continuous residence and good moral character.
• Pass the English and civics tests.

Maintaining your conditional green card properly and filing Form I-751 on time is essential to avoid delays in your path to citizenship.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the CR6 Green Card category?
   It’s a two-year conditional green card issued to spouses of U.S. citizens when the marriage is under two years old at approval time.
2. Can I travel abroad with a CR6 Green Card?
   Yes, but absences longer than one year may raise concerns about abandoning residency. Obtain a reentry permit if you must travel extensively.
3. What happens if my spouse refuses to sign Form I-751?
   You can still file with a waiver, proving that your marriage was genuine or that you suffered abuse or hardship.
4. How long does USCIS take to process Form I-751?
   The process generally takes 12–18 months, depending on your service center and case complexity.
5. When can I apply for U.S. citizenship after CR6 approval?
   You may apply three years after obtaining your CR6 Green Card if married to the same U.S. citizen, or five years otherwise.

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