General Information on Immigrant Visa Services

Changes in Visa Processing Fees

The U.S. Department of State has announced world-wide changes in nonimmigrant and immigrant visa processing fees, also called Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fees. The changes will be effective on April 13, 2012. Please see "Changes in Visa Fees" for details.

USCIS Centralizes Filing of Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130

Effective August 15, 2011, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) centralized filing of the Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) immigrant visa petition. As such, petitioners residing in countries without USCIS offices, such as Hong Kong and Macau, must now file Form I-130 with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox facility. For details, see "USCIS News."

Note: Prior to August 15, 2011, petitioners residing in Hong Kong and Macau were able to file I-130 petitions for immediate relatives such as their spouse and/or children at the Consulate General in Hong Kong, but absent emergency circumstances, this is no longer allowed.

Immigrant Visa Unit Counter Assistance – Wednesdays only from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

The Consulate General in Hong Kong still provides assistance with certain USCIS matters, including the abandonment of permanent resident status (green cards), collection of U.S. Re-entry Permits, or information on I-130 petitions and adoption. Persons needing assistance on these USCIS matters should come to the Immigrant Visa Unit on Wednesdays only (except U.S. and local holidays), from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. No appointment is required.

General information on USCIS matters and immigrant visas may be obtained from the Information Unit inquiry window on the porch of the Consulate General. The inquiry hours are Monday – Friday, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (except U.S. and local holidays). The public is seen at the window on a first-come, first-served basis.

Rainy and Typhoon Season

The annual rainy and typhoon season has begun and is expected to last until November. Please be advised that if Black Rainstorm Warning OR Typhoon Signal 8 or above is announced by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Consulate General will be closed. In such a situation, there will be no need to reschedule your appointment. Please see "Consular Services During the Rainy and Typhoon Season" for details.

The Immigrant Visa Unit processes applications for persons who are interested in living and working permanently in the United States. In general, there are three avenues for immigrating to the United States:

• Family-Sponsored (relatives of U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents)
• Employment-Based
• The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program

Please see here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Immigrant Visas and Immigration to the U.S.

Related Links

• Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• US Customs and Border Protection
• A Guide for New Immigrants (PDF file, 1.41 MB)

Last modified: May 1, 2012