General Information on Immigrant Visa Services

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Immigrant Fee

Effective February 1, 2013, all individuals issued immigrant visas overseas must pay a $165.00 USCIS Immigrant Fee before traveling to the United States. This fee is in addition to all other fees currently in place such as the visa application fee. This fee cannot be paid at the U.S. Consulate General. It must be paid online after the individual has received a visa and visa package.

The following are exempt from this fee:

• Children travelling to the United States as adopted children or prospective adopted children
• Returning residents
• Fiancés issued K visas

The below USCIS website has more details on the new fee, including contact information for USCIS, if there are further questions:

• USCIS Immigrant Fee

Passport Delivery Services

Note: Hongkong Post has closed its postal services counter at the Consulate General. December 21, 2012 was the last day Hongkong Post collected the postage fee from successful applicants for passport delivery services.

Effective December 24, 2012, successful visa applicants will be instructed to return to the Consulate General to pick up their passports in person.

Important Information on the Legal Rights for Victims of Domestic Violence

Important information on the rights and protections for foreign-citizen spouses and fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents

If you are an applicant for an immigrant visa to the United States as the spouse or fiancé(e)s of a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, please carefully read the information on the State Department's website concerning your legal rights. We understand you may not be familiar with laws in this country. We want you to know, under all circumstances, domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse are illegal in the United States and that all people in the United States are guaranteed protection under law from abuse. The State Department has published information on your rights and protections in the U.S. as well as resources available to you should you require assistance in the United States.

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.

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 1.41 MB)

Last modified: February 6, 2013