Exiled dissident writer Wang Ruowang and his wife Yang Zhi, , who have been stranded in Hong Kong because they lack the proper re-entry visas to the US, are expected to obtain permission to return to New York by Saturday.
The couple have been in the territory for two weeks since they arrived from Taiwan after observing the island's presidential election last month.
'I hope we don't have to wait for a long time,' Mr Wang said, adding that he was optimistic about obtaining the visas.
The 77-year-old author and his wife have been barred from returning to the US as they failed to get a return visa from the immigration authorities before they left the country.
The couple said they had sought help from the authorities and were eager to get back to New York.
Mr Wang, a veteran critic of the Chinese Government, and his wife left Shanghai in August 1992 and have since lived in the US.
