CR-1 · Spouse of a citizen
A long-distance marriage, an income that did not qualify — and an approved Green Card
He in Curitiba, she in Florida. Proving the relationship was easy; the problem was the sponsor's required minimum income.
- Who
- Rafael e Jennifer*
- Path
- CR-1
- Starting point
- Curitiba (PR)
- From start to approval
- About 14 months
The starting point
Rafael and Jennifer met on a trip and spent two years between flights, video calls, and shared vacations. They married in Brazil, in a small ceremony, and she — a U.S. citizen — filed the I-130 for her husband.
They did the first part on their own and came to us when the case reached the NVC and the list of financial documents looked like a maze.
The challenge
Every family-based Green Card petition requires the Affidavit of Support (I-864): the sponsor takes on the commitment to support the immigrant and must show income of at least 125% of the U.S. poverty line for the household size.
Jennifer had just changed jobs, and the prior year's tax return did not meet the minimum. Many couples get stuck right here.
“We thought the hard part was proving that we loved each other. The hard part was the spreadsheet — and it stopped being hard when someone explained it.”
— Rafael e Jennifer*
The path
We mapped the alternatives the law allows: documented current income, the couple's assets, and a joint sponsor — a citizen or resident who takes on the commitment as well. Jennifer's uncle agreed, and we organized his documents with the same care.
At the same time, we strengthened the proof of the relationship: photos over the years, tickets, conversations, the joint account opened after the marriage, and statements from friends. Before the interview, we did a video practice session so Rafael could arrive calm.
The result
The consular interview was short: questions about how they met and about the couple's plans. The visa was approved the same day.
Because the marriage was under two years old, Rafael received a conditional Green Card, valid for two years. He already has a reminder in the portal to petition to remove the conditions (I-751) in the right window.
* Name changed. To protect the people involved, we do not use real names and we change details that could identify each person. The path, the challenges, and the solutions are preserved.