I don't know what part of China you are in, but the American consulates often (sometimes weekly) offer Q&A sessions for stuff like this.  I can give you my opinion what the rules are, but they can tell you for sure.

As far as I am aware, she will need a Chinese passport.  The US will only grant her a special visa.  Only citizens get passports, so I doubt they would give her one.

And unfortunately, she will need to go back to her home town to get a passport if she has not had one before.  If she had a previous passport, she may be able to get it in your current city.

And as a side note, it can take up to 1 year for the US to process your wife's visa.  So there should be plenty of time for her to go back to her home town and get her Chinese passport.

If you have been married for more than 2 years, you will most likely be able to get her visa much faster.

Your wife needs a passport for sure to go to the US as she's still a Chinese and It's not easy since she is a Chinese citizen ,USA is one of the most strictest country in the world for Immigration.lots of paperwork is needed,It's Gonna be annoying. so be patient.

There are some guys here who married a Chinese wife and some of them are already living in abroad now. I am sure they can give you some useful advice.

Good luck.

I married the love of my life in China.....  thinking it would be easier to get her to Canada, because she is my wife,,,,,,,,,,,,,,  turned into a flipping international nightmare ...   so I quit my job in Canada and moved here..........  they tell me I don't need a lawyer, so they can do to me and my family whatever they want..........  BS ....  so I got a lawyer and have been fighting with immigration for 3+ years  ......  and now that I have been here for a year or so, I like it here better than home.......  nice people, good accommodation, simpler life.I like it here, and it was certainly not my original intentions.

Xpat.John,

So you said it could take up to a year? I was under the impression that it only took 4-6 months on average, with some of the more... interesting individuals being required to wait upwards of 8 months. It would really put a dent in my plans if I'm required to spend another 365 ri here.

If she's preggers, would it be easier to get it processed? Not to sound like an elitist or anything, but I would rather my children were born in America, and not some underdeveloped shithole facility ran by Smoker Wang and his pet oxygen tank.

i am not from usa.. so not sure.. but most countries.. the cousulate/embassy in china has the same power as offices back home... they should be able to give her foreign passport here... if all the criteria for citizenship is met... like what happens with mixed children born in china... ??

In many cases embassy is more helpful than crucked officials back home... as they listen and have more time for you here..

Firstly, for sure you wife need a Chinese visa for she is a Chinese citizen now.

Secondly, she needs to applied for migrant visa from Guangzhou consulate (the only one). As far as I know, it would take at least more than one year to get it.

In fact, I suggest apply for travel visa in order to enter the US. Once she got in US, apply for green card.

Good luck!

I'm not from the US, but my initial reaction  is that your friend is a dope, passports are for citizens. 

Way it works in Canada is you come as a permanent resident. After three years, if you have behaved yourself, you can apply to be come a citizen. If that happens you can then get a Canadian passport.

The US will not give her a passport until she is a citizen.  She needs her Chinese passport and an a visa from the US.  If you are already married, then she could go on a tourist visa, but when she is interviewed she has to be honest and tell them that she intends to stay there.  They do prefer that you apply for the spousal visa and wait.  You can be in the US while this process is happening, you do not have to be in China at the time.  They can deny a tourist visa if she is going there for the intention of staying, as there is the spousal visa option and by the rules this is really what she should be applying for.  After she is given a spousal visa she would then go to the US and apply for a green card and go through the normal routine of getting citizenship.  She would need to remain in the US for three years, yes she can go home and visit, and pass the citizenship test.

If she has the temporary residential permit in the province she is living,she can apply passport in the place there.As I have lived in Shanghai for many years,I can just go get passport in Shanghai while holding a at least 6 monthes temporary residential permit.But you have to just make a call to the US embassy to know weather she will need a Chinese passport first.Just do not waste to go get it if it is not necessary.

First,she must have a passport if she wants to migrant.she needs to bring her hukou,her ID,fill out paper,take picture inside entry & exit office belongs to her hukou area.pay 200 RMB,she can get her passport after 2 weeks.

Second,the whole process devide into two kinds,one is applying from Guangzhou,the condition is husband at least has already stayed or worked in China for 6 months).all cases go through Guangzhou consulate.if everything goes smooth,the wife will get I-551 visa within 3 months.Another kind is applying from USA(this kind especially for husband is working in USA,wife stays in China).this kind will take longer time,which is about 1 year if everything goes smooth,During the immigration time,the wife can't apply for B2 visa,the consulate will deny it for sure.looks like you and your wife are in China,then you can apply from Guangzhou.

P1. You can submit application in guangzhou or beijing,it depends on which province your family lives in.Check the US consulate website and you will know where do you submit documents.but eventually beijing cases will move to guangzhou and get processed.you have to make an appointment in beijing embassy,but you can just walk in guangzhou consulate every friday before 10:30am.you need to fill out I-130,G-325a, your wife has to fill out G-325a too.go to consulate guidelines and download.your wife's birth legal notarization,your marriage legal notarization,no crime notarization,these three kinds need 2 original copies of chinese version and english version  from China notary office.all envidence from you  like pictures,weddings,friends,families,emails,phone records,travel tickets etc.your copy of your passport,her copy of her passport.your marriage book copies,the envidence you stayed in China over 6 months at least like your chinese resident permit or entry and exit stamp from china customs.Then you HAVE TO PHYSICALLY GO TO Guangzhou consulate on EVERY FRIDAY before 10:30AM.prepare 420 US dollars or convert to RMB,or the best way is using VISA CARD.prepare both if VISA machine is broken.

P2. you will receive a letter from consulate says congrats your are approved.

P3.Wait for the email from consulate.this will take 2 weeks or over 1 month,no rules.and then follow the instructions filling our DS-260 and submit online.and ask your wife to register account in CGI website as email mentioned,she will get a CGI Number,print out conformation of DS260,print out CGI list,prepare 2 of your wife 50*50 picture,copy of your wife passport.Go to the nearest CITIC BANK where you live.ask the staff to mail back to consulate for you,it's free.

P4.Wait some weeks,the last step is coming,your wife or you receive the interview email,reserve the interview date.she has to PHYSICALLY GO TO Guangzhou consulate for interviewing.BUT,before interview ,she has to go to body medical check where is next to Guangzhou Consulate,the fee is about 1300-1400RMB.this will take 2-3 days to get the results,so you have to leave enough days,make a phone call before go there and make sure,prepare sponser I-864,co-sponser I-864a ,their 3 years W2.your 3 years W2 if you have,if don't have,then you have to offer 3 years 1-864 filed to IRS. welcome letter with sponser signatures and mail back to you.your wife extra 8 of 50*50 pictures,all the notarizations,copies of passports etc,bring the body check results,pay another 230 US dollars inside,and then have interview.you will know u will pass or not right away,if pass,they will give her white paper,if not,they will return her passport and green or red paper of evidence they need.  you will make up the paperworks they need and mail back to guangzhou consualte through CITIC BANK again.then you  can track visa information from CGI where she registers.this will take some weeks again to issue visa,Last,your wife will go to the CITIC BANK where she register to get the VISA package,before she enters in USA,she needs to pay 165 dollars greencard fee by a white manual book.if you are married within 2 years,she will get 2 years temporary greencard,after 2 years, she can get 10 years greencard.if you are married over 2 years,she can get 10 years greencard directly.

Good luck.