If she has to be here for 12 months to file joint, the ITIN will just get the return through electronically.

Currently to obtain the ITIN will take additional time as the immigration lawyer wants his return to be filed by the 20th.

Somewhere on the IRS website regarding foreign spouses, I read in cases with foreign spouse coming in without any status of residency, we can file joint but she has to file her worldwide income on the return or husband can file HOH.  I forgot to document this answer and so I am throwing this question to Lacerte community.  I will need to look for what I found again and ascertain myself that HOH is ok.