The journey of international love and immigration culminates in a truly momentous event: your arrival in the United States as the spouse of a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). This is a new chapter filled with excitement, but also new responsibilities.

Whether you’ve arrived with a CR1 (Conditional Resident) or IR1 (Immediate Relative) immigrant visa, you are now a Lawful Permanent Resident, holding a U.S. Green Card. This blog post from LforLaw provides crucial tips and guidance for navigating your first steps in the U.S., fulfilling your responsibilities, and ensuring your path to a permanent future.

Immediate Priorities Upon Arrival (2025)

Once you’ve been admitted at a U.S. Port of Entry:

1. Receive Your Physical Green Card: Your Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) will be mailed to the U.S. address you provided during your visa process, typically within a few weeks of your arrival. This card is your official proof of status. Keep it safe and secure.
2. Verify Your I-94 Record: If you entered with an immigrant visa, you can access and print your electronic I-94 Arrival/Departure Record online. Double-check that your entry status is “IR1” or “CR1” and that all personal details are accurate.
3. Obtain a Social Security Number (SSN): If you didn’t receive your SSN card automatically via the immigrant visa process, apply for one immediately. Your SSN is vital for legal employment, banking, taxes, and accessing many services.
4. Secure a State ID or Driver’s License: This will be your primary form of identification in daily life and allow you to drive if you qualify.
5. Alien Registration Requirement (Important 2025 Update):
   • As of April 11, 2025, Executive Order 14159 reinforces the Alien Registration Requirement. While Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) are generally considered already registered through their Green Card process (Form I-551 serves as proof), it’s crucial to understand this heightened enforcement.
   • You are legally required to carry proof of your registration (your Green Card) at all times if you are 18 or older.
   • If you or any dependent children included in your petition turn 14 while in the U.S. and were not fingerprinted or registered at visa issuance, they must register within 30 days of their 14th birthday. Consult LforLaw if you have any questions about this specific requirement.
6. Update Your Address with USCIS: It is a legal mandate to inform USCIS of any change of address within 10 days of moving by filing Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card. Non-compliance can lead to penalties.

Understanding Your Green Card Status: Conditional vs. Permanent

The type of Green Card you receive initially depends on how long you were married at the time your Green Card was approved:

• CR1 (Conditional Resident) Green Card: If you were married for less than two years when your immigrant visa was approved, you will receive a conditional Green Card, valid for two years. This is a probationary period where USCIS expects you and your spouse to demonstrate the ongoing legitimacy of your marriage.
• IR1 (Immediate Relative) Green Card: If you were married for two years or more when your immigrant visa was approved, you will receive a permanent (unconditional) Green Card, valid for ten years. You will not need to go through the “removal of conditions” process.

Responsibilities as a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)

Regardless of whether your Green Card is conditional or permanent, you have important duties:

1. Obey All U.S. Laws: This is paramount. Violations of federal, state, or local laws, especially serious criminal offenses, can lead to your Green Card being revoked and deportation.
2. Comply with Tax Laws: As a U.S. tax resident, you must file federal, state, and local taxes on your worldwide income annually.
3. Maintain Your Residency: The U.S. expects you to primarily reside in the United States. Extended absences (generally over 6 months at a time, or especially over one year) can lead USCIS to presume you have abandoned your residency. If you anticipate a long absence (1-2 years) for legitimate reasons, consider applying for a Re-entry Permit (Form I-131) before you leave.
4. Renew Your Green Card: While your LPR status is permanent, the physical card has an expiration date (2 years for CR1, 10 years for IR1). It is your responsibility to file the appropriate form (I-751 for CR1, I-90 for IR1) before it expires.

Navigating Life in the U.S.: Tips for Integration

• Financial Integration: Open joint bank accounts with your spouse, if you haven’t already. Start building your U.S. credit history.
• Community Engagement: Explore local resources, community centers, and cultural organizations to help you adapt and build a social network.
• Employment (for those not yet working): Your Green Card status automatically allows you to work. Begin your job search and consider educational or vocational training if needed.
• Language & Culture: Embrace opportunities to improve your English proficiency and learn about American customs and society.

The Path to a Permanent Green Card: Removing Conditions (For CR1 Holders)

If you have a CR1 (Conditional) Green Card, this is a critical next step in your immigration journey:

• Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence: You and your U.S. citizen or LPR spouse must file this form jointly within the 90-day period immediately before your 2-year conditional Green Card expires.
• Proof of Bona Fide Marriage (Crucial for 2025): USCIS is significantly increasing scrutiny of marriage-based petitions in 2025. You will need to submit substantial evidence to prove your marriage is genuine and ongoing. This includes:
  • Joint financial records (bank statements, tax returns, utility bills, insurance policies).
  • Shared property ownership (lease agreements, mortgage documents).
  • Birth certificates of any children born to the marriage.
  • Photographs together over time (wedding, vacations, family events).
  • Affidavits from friends, family, and employers attesting to your bona fide relationship.
  • Travel records, communication logs.
• Potential for Waivers: If your marriage ends in divorce, annulment, your spouse dies, or you or your child experienced abuse, you may be able to file Form I-751 with a waiver of the joint filing requirement. You will still need to prove the marriage was entered into in good faith.
• Processing Times: Be aware that I-751 processing times can be lengthy (over 20 months in mid-2025 for some cases). USCIS will typically send you an extension notice for your conditional Green Card, allowing you to continue living and working in the U.S.
• Interviews: While not all I-751 cases result in an interview, USCIS has increased the likelihood of interviews, and some field offices are even conducting separate interviews with each spouse to thoroughly verify the marriage.

The Ultimate Goal: U.S. Citizenship (Naturalization)

Once you have held your permanent Green Card for the required period (generally 5 years, or 3 years if you’ve been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen spouse during that time and your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the entire 3 years), you may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization (Form N-400).

This step grants you full civic rights, including the right to vote, hold public office, and travel with a U.S. passport.

Partner with LforLaw for a Smooth Transition

The immigration journey, especially one involving a new life in a new country, is rarely without its intricacies. From understanding the nuances of conditional residency to meticulously preparing for your I-751 petition, and eventually navigating the path to citizenship, having experienced legal counsel is invaluable.

At LforLaw, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for spouses migrating to the USA. We assist with:

• Understanding Your Initial Status: Clarifying your CR1/IR1 visa and Green Card.
• I-751 Preparation & Filing: Ensuring your petition to remove conditions is robust and complete, minimizing delays or RFEs, especially with current heightened scrutiny.
• Waiver Applications: Guiding you through complex waiver options if you cannot file jointly.
• Naturalization Services: Preparing you for the N-400 application and interview.
• General Immigration Advisory: Answering your questions and addressing any concerns that arise during your transition.

Welcome to the United States! Let us help ensure your new life here is secure and prosperous. Contact LforLaw today for a consultation tailored to your unique needs.