Applying for USA green card for wife - got married in HKG

any recommendation on local immigration specialists?

It is possible to do yourself, but it can get involved and it takes a long time. A professional makes it much easier, but its not cheap. My immigration lawyer here in the states was $2,500 US Dollars, however you may be able to get one cheaper, check references, and remember you get what you pay for. My wife is Thai, and we reside here in the USA, although we do have a home in Thailand. We went through this process 3 years ago, and I am currently doing it myself for my step-daughter.


First, since you got married in Hong Kong, you now have to petition immigration for your wife's visa, known as the K-3. In all honesty, immigration might tell you 3-months, don't believe it for a minute, since Sept. 11th, it will take approx. 6 months start to finish, with good luck, before your wife is allowed to travel to the USA. It may very well be longer. I don't mean to discourage or disappoint you, I am being realistic.


The I-130 is only the beginning, you will also have to complete an "Affidavit of Support" showing that you are financially able to provide for your wife, and numerous other documents of biographical information. Immigration will provide the documents to you for completion in a step-by-step manner if you choose to do it yourself. After all the documents are finalized, your wife will then have to complete a physical examination to show she has no contagious diseases, including HIV, on which grounds she will be denied entry. She will be given her K-3 Visa and allowed entry into the USA. You will then have to do a few interviews together at the local INS office to prove you marriage is not a fraud. A child together, joint financial accounts, a mortgage in both names, etc. can help prove this. At any rate add your wife's name to any postal information (letters, utility bills, magazine subscriptions, etc.) that you can immediately upon her approval to the States, this helps prove that she does indeed reside with you as your wife. Ridiculous but it needs to be shown, you will thank me later.


She will not be able to work until she gets authorization to do so from the INS, now known as the US Citizenship & Immigration Services. They will provide her with a "work authorization card", but you will need to get your wife a Social Security number first. I can not recall how we applied for one but you can find that out simply by calling a SS office.


It is a time consuming and at times frustrating experience. An immigration lawyer can make the process immensely easier. Do not come back to the states without your wife if you can. I was separated from mine for 6 months, and it was incredibly difficult. If I could have, I would have waited until she was approved and then come here together. If you are from the East Coast of the USA, my lawyer was Peter Allegra, located in Red Bank, NJ 732-747-8383 Good luck. Roy

Is there anyone else out there that has submitted theirs in a recent time in 2007 and still waiting/wanting to know about how long it's taking them these days? My husband helps to process the application for me (Hong Kong passport) in USA on Oct, 2007. He’s an American citizen, and we got married here in Hong Kong June,2007


My husband and I were wondering how long it takes to process. There goto be something wrong with the Timelines here. Almost one year to get a I-130 approved? we still haven’t yet got the packet since the NVC case number assigned on Sep,2008.


I have tried to call & email NVC in the last two weeks but have not had reply. Frustrating experience for both of me and my husband.


I-130 my husband submmited

1 Sent 10/15/07

2 Notice date:01/11/08

3 Approved 22/08/08

4 NVC Case # assigned 05/09/08

5 DS3032 & I-864 bill sent by NVC:12/17/08

6 I-864 bill and DS3032 received (fees paid online):12/27/08

7 I-864 package mailed: still haven't received yet!!!! :-(