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| Malaysia |  Review on September 21, 2016: |
SophieParker1130
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Since the last review done for the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur was a year ago, I figured I'd share my own experience since it was kinda frustrating to not find anything up to date from Malaysians who are undergoing a visa journey!
Lucky for us, my husband was going to be in town during my interview date and he was allowed to join me! Yaaaaaaaaay!
Our interview time was scheduled for 7.30am so we made our way there about 6.30am. Upon arriving, we saw a very very long line of people already waiting to attend their interviews. It is still very dark in KL at that time so there we were, standing outside with a bunch of other people in the dark. Eventually, about 7.10am, we were asked to line up in front of the entrance and I'm not sorry to say that I kind of pulled an asshole move and snuck myself to 3rd in line. (What? Technically the initial line wasn't real).
The first lady in line was a Chinese national who had nothing but her passport as a her picture ID. She was asked to make a copy and come back before 9am. I think she was panicking and came across as picking a fight but the guy at the door was very clear. He patiently asked her, "Do you understand what I'm saying??? I'm NOT cancelling your interview. Go make a copy and come back before 9am. I will let you in".
When it was our turn, he asked for my MYKAD which I stupidly forgot in my other bag at our AirBnB. (I know I know.. I should have brought it with me). Thankfully, I brought my EXPIRED passport with me as well and he said that that was acceptable. The woman in charge of handing us our visitor's passes was apprehensive but when I mentioned that the man at the door said it was fine, she gave us a pass. She also held on to my Husband's MN driver's license.
Checkpoints at the embassy entrance is the usual. No electronics, so my husband signed in our phones. We walked through an X-ray machine, put our stuff though a scanner etc. then strolled into the building.
Once we walked into the building, we made a left where a lovely lady handed us our number for the CR1 interview. She asked us to have a seat and wait for our number to be called. It was about 7.20am at that point and none of the booths had COs. It was only a few mins before they called our number to submit our documents. For anyone lugging that HUGE x-ray to the consulate, I know how much of a hassle it is.....and they didn't ask for it. All they wanted was the smaller folder that contained my medical exam results. They also asked for my Husband's divorce decree from his first marriage and that was it.
We were then directed to the waiting area across the building where we sat and waited some more. As time went by, so did the amount of screaming children. Dear God. Again, thankfully I had my husband with me, which made everything ok. Seriously, we were so lucky in that sense.
Our number got called again at for Booth #1 where they took my finger prints and again we were asked to have a seat. I didn't check the time but by the time we got back to the waiting area, there were more people there. There was also a man who I assume works in the embassy, who had a cart with bottles of water and sandwiches for sale. I don't remember that the last time I was at the embassy for my tourist visa but that was pretty cool.
They called the number of the woman before us to Booth #5 and I started getting really nervous. I mean, I know everything was going to be ok but I guess it was just nerves. My Husband just held my hand and kept telling me to breathe. When it was OUR turn to go to Booth #5, a nice asian lady was waiting there for us. She smiled and said, "Oh! The petitioner is here. It's always good when the petitioner is here too".
She only asked us a few questions.
How did you meet?
When did you get married?
Can I see your wedding photos?
She scanned through our photo album and said, "Looks like a fun wedding!"
Me : Yeah it was. My relatives really wanted to get him drunk
Her : And did you, sir?
Husband : Haha yeah
Her : Alright, your visa is approved. Your passport will stay with us for about a week and then you will receive instructions on where to collect it.
PHEW! I'll admit, I was so nervous that I stammered a lil bit but thankfully my very calm Husband was there to smooth things out.
We left the embassy building, picked up our phones and when I checked the time, it was 10 mins to 9am. INTERVIEW DONE AND VISA APPROVED BEFORE 9AM! WHAT???!!!
We were beyond ecstatic!
When we got back to our AirBnB, I checked my visa status on the CEAC site and saw that it was in AP. I panicked a lil! I guess that's what happens when you've been reading hundreds and thousands of other people's stories on VJ. No joke.
The NEXT DAY I received an SMS notifying us that the visa was ready for pick up! WHAT?! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!
I can't believe my Husband was in town for the Interview AND picking up the Visa! My tickets are purchased and my POE will be in October!
BYE BYE LDR!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #20466