Conditional Green Card: The Difference Between Conditional and Permanent Residents
For foreign nationals married to a U.S. citizen, applying for permanent residency is often the next step in building a life together. However, couples married for less than two years when their petition is granted will be issued a CR6 green card: a conditional permanent residency card that comes with a two-year window and additional requirements before permanent resident status is fully secured.
What Is the Difference Between a Conditional and a Permanent Resident?
If you have a marriage-based green card and have been married for less than two years at the time of approval, you will receive a conditional green card, also known as a CR6. “CR” stands for Conditional Resident. You may see this category listed directly on your permanent residency card.
As a conditional permanent resident, you have the same rights as any permanent resident. There are no special travel restrictions or limitations on your ability to live and work in the U.S. The key difference is that a conditional green card is only valid for two years. After that, you must petition to remove the conditions on your residency in order to become a full permanent resident, or risk losing your legal status.
Why Do I Have Conditional Citizenship?
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues conditional green cards as a safeguard against marriage fraud. After two years, USCIS reviews your case to verify that your marriage is bona fide, or entered into in good faith and not solely to obtain an immigration benefit. While marriage fraud is uncommon, this conditional period allows USCIS to revisit the authenticity of your marriage before granting permanent status.
Who Gets a Conditional Green Card?
A foreign national who marries a U.S. citizen and has been married for less than two years at the time of approval receives a conditional CR6 green card. The same applies to K-1 fiancé(e) visa holders who adjust their status to a marriage-based green card after arriving in the U.S. Since the marriage occurred after entry, it will also fall under the two-year threshold.
Who Does Not Get a Conditional CR6 Green Card?
If you were married for two or more years before your green card was approved, you will receive a standard permanent resident card instead. You won’t be required to go through the conditions removal process, but you will need to renew your card every 10 years.
Process from Conditional Green Card to Permanent Resident
To transition from a CR6 conditional green card to permanent residency, you and your spouse must file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. Both spouses are required to sign and file the form jointly. However, if your circumstances have changed—for example, if your spouse has passed away, or if you have divorced—you may still be able to file. If your situation requires additional forms or special consideration, it’s best to speak with an experienced immigration attorney who will be able to provide you with comprehensive guidance.
Requirements
- Both spouses must sign and file Form I-751 jointly
- File within the 90-day window before your conditional green card expires
- Pay the filing fee (see Costs section below)
- Submit a front and back copy of your conditional green card
- Attend an in-person interview (as of 2026, USCIS has significantly reduced interview waivers and now typically requires in-person questioning)
Evidence
The purpose of Form I-751 is to show USCIS that your marriage is genuine. You should include as much supporting documentation as possible, covering the full span of your marriage. Strong evidence includes:
- Photos of you and your spouse together over time
- Joint financial documents (bank statements, tax returns, mortgage or lease agreements)
- Birth certificates of any children born during the marriage
- Any other records showing shared life (e.g. insurance policies, utility bills, travel records)
If your situation falls outside the standard filing process, you may also need to provide other documentation.
- A written explanation (if you are filing late, or if you are not filing jointly with your spouse)
- A death certificate (if your spouse has passed away)
- Divorce or annulment decrees
- Dispositions on any criminal matters
The more evidence you can supply proving that your marriage either is in good faith or was intended to be in good faith, the better your chances are of proving to USCIS that you should be granted your permanent residency card.
Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. can help you collect and organize evidence to send with your I-751 form.
Costs
As of 2026, filing Form I-751 costs $760, plus an additional $85 for biometrics, for a total of $845. USCIS no longer accepts personal checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks for standard paper filings. Payment must be made by credit card, debit card, or ACH bank transfer.
Direct Filing Address
Most applicants will submit Form I-751 to USCIS in either Phoenix, AZ or Elgin, IL, depending on your location and shipping method. Speak with your immigration attorney to confirm the correct address and to ensure your petition arrives within the 90-day window.
How Long Does It Take to Remove Conditions on a Green Card?
A conditional CR6 green card is valid for two years. You must file Form I-751 within the 90-day window before your card expires—not before, and not after. Filing too early will result in your petition being returned; filing too late can trigger removal proceedings.
Once USCIS receives your I-751, they will issue a receipt notice that automatically extends your conditional resident status for 48 months while your petition is pending.
What Happens If My Conditional CR6 Green Card Expires?
If you do not file Form I-751 before your conditional green card expires, USCIS may initiate removal or deportation proceedings. The consequences of unlawful presence in the U.S. can include deportation and a multi-year or permanent bar from re-entering the country. If your card has already expired, or if you think you may have missed the window, contact an immigration attorney immediately.
Why Did My Conditional Green Card Removal Get Denied?
Denial of a CR6 green card removal petition is uncommon, but it does happen. The most frequent reasons include: USCIS suspecting the marriage is not genuine, the petition not being filed within the required 90-day window, or insufficient evidence of a bona fide marriage. If your petition is denied, you will need legal representation to respond to USCIS or to defend your case in immigration court.
Contact an Immigration Lawyer Today
The experienced immigration attorneys at Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. have been helping married couples with permanent residency petitions for over 30 years. We want to make sure your transition from conditional to permanent resident status is as smooth as possible.
The window to remove conditions on a CR6 green card is short. We’ll help make sure everything is in order. Call us at 312.444.1940 or fill out our online contact form today.