|
|
| Malaysia |  Review on March 27, 2009: |
tgg
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My interview was on March 26, 2009. The interview went by so smoothly! All the pressure and tension I went through the application process was pretty much for nothing.
My appointment was for 1:30pm and I had to come in at 9am to submit my documents. I came in a little after 9 and there were two people in front of me for immigrant visas, though the embassy was crowded by people applying for tourist visas. I had to submit my documents, check if they were accurate and then wait. Lots of waiting involved. It took me about an hour and a half and then they told me to come back at 1:30 for the actual interview. The actual checking was very efficient though. And you have to pay a fee of USD 131 for the application process.
I left for lunch and came back around 12:45, the embassy was almost empty by then, save for the people with appointments probably. More waiting. Interview went by without a hitch. Nice interviewer, asked a few questions about my fiance, explained he just wanted to see if I really knew him. Didn't even ask to see all the evidence I compiled (letters/phone logs,etc.) but this was probably because I was already in the US before for studies and met fiance there. Short interview, stamped approved, congratulated and told to pick up visa the next day at Wisma MCA. Done!
Several tips/words of advice from my experience:
- Certificate of Good Conduct (Police Cert) caused me a lot of grief because I kept on hearing contradictory messages on which one they needed. There are two types, one is a one-day cert you can get straight from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the other is a more extensive one that they have to send to Bukit Aman and takes 1-2 months to process. The US Embassy used to accept the one day one but only VERY recently just changed this policy, though they have somehow failed to inform people anywhere on the website. Currently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs still show that the one day certificate is available with no warning that the US Embassy does not accept it anymore. I came in with the one day cert and the immigration officer checking was dubious about it but since it wasn't my fault as they didn't make it clear, she let it pass but I get the feeling it is going to be reinforced in the near future so I strongly recommend getting the 1-2 month processing for the police cert done. 
- Be prepared for a long wait. I finished my interview around 3pm but the entire process only took about five to ten minutes. Especially if you are getting there by public transport, because when you come in at 9, that is only for the document check and after that you'll have a couple of hours to kill until your actual interview. I ended up hopping on a train to KLCC since it's just a stop away on the LRT.  Even managed to squeeze in some shopping time.
- Uh.. this is only regarding Malaysian weather but of course it started pouring while I was there and I didn't bring an umbrella. The US Embassy does not really have a lot of shelter areas, so yes, do be prepared for the weather.
Other than that, don't stress out so much as I did, if you have all your documents correct then you should be fine. The immigration officers are very friendly and helpful!
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #4136