For those who intend to apply for a US visa in Malaysia, I just have a few tips for you. Firstly, the time stated on for your interview does not necessarily mean you have to be there punctually. In fact, the word ‘interview’ is misleading on its own. I queued up 4 times; one to get into the building, two to ‘check-in’, three for finger printing and lastly for the ‘interview’. Allow me to clarify the ‘interview’ process.
When someone says interview, I automatically think of a scene where I am seated and facing 1 or 2 people and asked legitimate questions regarding my application. For the visa interview, I was standing facing a lady in a booth who asked me if I have a degree and why I’m not married yet.
TIP: If you’re my age, get married.
But let’s go back to the whole experience. I reached the US embassy by 8.30am. My interview was scheduled at 8.50am. But it seems like 30 other people have their interviews scheduled at the same time. When they said I would have to be ready to be subjected to an airport security type of clearance, they were lieing. I’ve seen more airport security that are less secure. I had to deposit my phone, mp3 player and lighter at the security booth leaving me doomed to boredom for the next 2 hours. By the way, it took me 30 minutes to clear the gate.
TIP: Bring a book unless you’re easily amused by a repetitive slide presentation screened on the TV.
I got my forms checked and was finger printed. As I waited for my turn to be interviewed, I watch others be subjected to a few questions. One couple got rejected because apparently they didn’t make enough money to prove that they could take a vacation in the US. One kid got rejected because the lady didn’t see the point in him learning English in the US. She told him to save his money and study English in Malaysia instead. Another lady got rejected because she was currently unemployed. One black guy got rejected because as the lady said, “Why don’t you have a degree? You’re 25 now and without a degree. I can’t approve your application.”
TIP: Get a degree before thinking of going for a holiday in the US.
For the record, I was NOT eavesdropping. The interviews were conducted in such a way that everyone could hear what was going on. The interviewers used microphones because they sat behind bulletproof glass (probably not but definitely sound-proof). My intention here is not to gloat that I got mine but to point out that to apply for a US visa will subject you to inexplicable humiliation if your jobless, without a degree or single. All this for a small non-refundable fee of RM532.
TIP: Don’t bother arguing your case if they tell you no. Be prepared to lose RM532 for no legitimate reason.
Somebody needs to let the embassy know that not everyone who goes to the states wants to wind up driving a cab or selling hotdogs on the street. Some people probably have been saving up for years just for a few weeks of holiday and maybe some people might feel that learning English in a country where it’s the first language would be more beneficiary.
TIP: Learn English in your own country. If you’re going to learn it with an accent, I suggest the UK. The English accent is cool.
I myself barely scraped through. I was issued a short-term visa on the grounds that either my organisation or I would have to build our reputation before I’ll be given the usual visa length. I can’t blame her if she doesn’t know my organisation or me. She works in the US embassy and she’s white but I’m not implying I’m famous. My organisation is widely known in Asia.
Despite all this, I have my visa. New York, here I come! The only downside, I’ll be in the plane when Man United plays Arsenal.
TIP: Don’t go to the US for any reason. They’re already sucking us dry with their multi-national corporations. Why bother giving them money just for a visa?
The thoughts of the wild 
I remember this process. Lame.
I’ll definitely keep this in mind.
Ok, I have a “blonde” question for you. Why do u need a visa if u already have a passport? Aren’t those 2 the same? No?
Ok, I only now noticed your blonde question. They are not the same thing. A passport means you have a pass to leave your country. A visa is required to enter another country. We’re lucky to have Malaysian Passports because there are many countries which we don’t have to apply visas for. We don’t need visas for ASEAN countries, all of Europe and most Central American countries. For Australia and China, we can get visas on-line. It’s only US and Canada (I think) that we need to go embassies and apply.
Dear Perky
Get a brain or educated.
whoa.. i going to US to attend a friend’s convocation, i heard if we tell the embassy we have relative/friends in US, most probably they won’t approve the visa, right? Then how should i answer them if they ask me this question?
i’m postgrad student currently and at the same time, work with hospital as part time staff, in occupation column, what should i write (if as student, no pay they reject), (if as working staff, less pay, they also reject).. then how? Kindly advise
It’s a tough one. A really tough one.
The embassy will be looking at 2 things; Firstly, do they think you have any intentions of working there illegally? Secondly, do they think you will look to stay in the US permanently? This is simply because the US Visa is for 10 years.
I think it’s good just to be honest. That way, when they ask you stupid questions, at least you have the facts at hand to justify you going there. Be prepared with the ‘how will you support yourself while you are in the US’ question. That is easily worth 50 points. Get that right, you should do fine.