What's the difference between a CR-1 and a K-1 visa?

A CR-1 visa is an immigrant visa that grants a foreign spouse permanent resident status (a green card) immediately upon entry to the U.S., while a K-1 is a fiance(e) visa that requires the couple to marry within 90 days of the foreign partner's arrival, after which the spouse must separately file for adjustment of status to get a green card.

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Which one is faster?

It depends on current processing times at the relevant USCIS service center and National Visa Center, which fluctuate. K-1 petitions have historically processed somewhat faster to get the fiance(e) into the U.S., but because a K-1 still requires a follow-on adjustment of status filing (with its own processing time and fee) after marriage, the CR-1 can end up being faster or comparable to actually obtaining a green card, depending on current backlogs.

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Do I need to already be married to file a CR-1?

Yes, CR-1 requires a valid, existing marriage at the time of filing, while K-1 is specifically for couples who are engaged but not yet married.

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What if my spouse is currently in the U.S. on a different visa, like a TN visa?

If the marriage already took place, it's often possible to file for adjustment of status directly rather than going through the CR-1 consular process, depending on how the spouse last entered the U.S. and their current visa status. This is a fact-specific analysis where the wrong choice can create unnecessary delay or even immigration consequences, so it's worth a consultation before filing anything.