Can My Spouse Work in the U.S. With an IR-1 Green Card?

Lawful permanent residents are generally able to live and work in the United States. Your spouse’s start date can depend on where you are in the process and what status they hold while the case is pending.

In many cases, it depends on how long you’ve been married when permanent residency is granted. If your timeline is close to the two-year mark, planning matters—speaking with an attorney can help you avoid surprises.

An IR-1 visa is used for a foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen to obtain lawful permanent residency and live in the United States with their spouse.