Should I do the AOS (Adjustment of Status) after CR-1?

When discussing immigration to the United States, various terms and procedures arise that can cause doubts, especially for those starting this process. Two of these terms are CR1 and AOS (Adjustment of Status). Understanding the role of each can help clarify which step should be taken.

The CR1 visa is granted to spouses of American citizens, and upon entering the United States with this visa, the individual is already admitted as a conditional permanent resident. Therefore, the holder of the CR1 does not need to go through the AOS process, which is the status adjustment used, for example, by those who are in the U.S. under a non-immigrant category and wish to change their status to that of a permanent resident without leaving the country.

In other words, by having the CR1 visa, you already enter with an immigration status that grants you the condition of legal resident. Thus, there is no need to apply for AOS, since AOS applies to different cases when it is necessary to adjust the migration status of someone who is in the United States with another type of visa.

It is worth noting that, some years later, it will be necessary to undergo the process to remove conditions, usually through Form I-751, but this is a separate and specific stage of the CR1.

Finally, it is very important to follow United States immigration laws carefully and cautiously. Always seek updated information from official sources and consider consulting specialized professionals (without promises of guaranteed results) to avoid traps, scams, or marketing campaigns that may promise quick solutions and unjustified certainties. Each case has its particularities, and proper guidance helps ensure the correct fulfillment of legal requirements.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.