Applying for US VISA

A lot of people normally say "susahnyaaa nak apply for US Visa" and it's one of the reasons that stops people from taking the first step. But after going through the process myself, I realised that it was actually super easy! My application went by so smoothly and it was done within 10 days. Here's how I got through the process..

1. List down the forms you need 

Start by heading to the main website for the US travel documentations and read through the general guidelines: ( Link ) Yes, I know reading the general guidelines this seems obvious but you may be surprised and have to be aware ok!

The basic process is to

a) determine your visa class: You'll be applying for a non-immigrant visa (Class B2: tourist)
b) fill in the DS 160 form
c) Pay your visa (online or at the bank)
d) Schedule an interview appointment at the embassy
e) Attend the interview
f) Collect your passport!

2. Fill in the DS 160 Form

Note: it's so much easier to use Google Chrome for this. When I was using Safari, it kept crashing and logging me out.



The DS 160 form can be found here:( Link)

It's basically a series of questions about you and your travels in the US. Before you fill this up, make sure you have:

- your address of residence in the US
- your contact in the US (name, address and phone number)
- dates for your trip  (estimated dates are fine)
- passport pdf
- resume / cv pdf
- bank statement (last 3 months) pdf

(the last 3 pdfs are just for your reference. When I applied I wasn't required to upload any of these. But there are passport details and work details that was needed to fill out).

- Photo:

You'll also need a 5x5 visa photo with a white background. This was the most complex as the requirements were hard to fill on the go (I tried to take a simple photo in the office). I ended up not uploading a photo online and just submitting a physical picture during the interview. What you can do is, before applying online, go to a photo shop and request to take a US Visa photo (most photo shops will know the requirements). Save a digital copy into your pendrive to upload for your online application.



Make sure you triple check all of your details before submitting your application!

Then, save the DS 160 confirmation page and print it out. You'll need a copy of this for your interview.

It looks something like this. 

3. Schedule an interview 

To schedule an appointment, you'll have to go to this link and create a profile:  Link

Once that's done, click 'Schedule an Appointment' on the tabs on the left, and just go through and fill up the forms. You'll be asked to choose a collection point for your passport later. You also have the option for a delivery service. Living in Selangor, I just chose to pick it up at Aramex in PJ.



4. Pay for your visa 

As you go through the forms on this website, you'll get to the visa payment section. I opted to pay online through JOMPAY. There's a pop up that'll come out for payment options, and I just simply clicked JOMPAY. It's important that you DON'T click it a lot of times because it'll generate multiple receipts/reference numbers. Whatever happens, don't pay twice as it'll be complex to get a refund for any mistakes.

Once you click JOMPAY, a receipt will come out like this:

Keep in mind the Ref - 1 number, as that'll be the reference for your payment. To use JOMPAY I simply just logged in to Maybank2U (you can use CIMB as well), go to Accounts > Bill Payment, and there will be a tab for JOMPAY. Fill in the Ref 1 as the number in your receipt slip. 

JOMPAY tab on Maybank2U. 

From experience, it takes about a day for the payment to be processed. Make sure you screencap and keep a copy of proof that you've paid for the visa. Then just sit tight, and log back in to the website the next day. Fill in your receipt, then confirm your appointment date! :) Make sure you save the interview confirmation letter. 

The visa costs RM640.00 

5. Attend the interview!

Documents needed for this interview:

- Interview confirmation letter

- DS 160 confirmation page

- MRV (visa) Payment receipt 

- Passport (current and previous passports)

- One recent photo (according to the US Visa requirements)

- Employment letter (if you're working)

- Bank statement (recent 3 months)

- Payment slips (recent 3 months)

For Malaysia the the interviews are held at the US Embassy just off Jalan Tun Razak. It's best to schedule your appointment somewhere in the afternoon to avoid the jam in the mornings and evenings. THERE IS NO PARKING SPACE AVAILABLE. So either you park somewhere around the area (like KLCC) and walk or take a Grabcar to be dropped off at the embassy. 

I made the decision to drive there and went around looking for parking at the residential area behind the embassy. Thankfully there wasn't a lot of cars so I got a parking in an alleyway 5 minutes away. 

Make sure you don't arrive too early as they won't let you in. Just arrive on time. Have all your documents in a clear plastic folder. Don't bring a big bag, and don't bring powerbank or any other electronic equipments (laptop, camera etc). I just brought a small sling bag with only my phone, purse and car keys. 

At the entrance you'll be required to scan your belongings and be given a visitor tag. The guard will hold on to your IC, carkeys, and mobile phone. There's another security checkpoint across the compound. Once in the waiting room you'll have to scan your fingerprints and give your photo. 

The interview went fairly well and quickly for me! As long as you don't act too weird or suspicious and just answer truthfully according to your form, it'll be fine :D The employment letters and bank statements weren't necessarily used but it's good to have it for proof if they have any questions regarding income and job status. 

They let you know immediately if your visa has been approved and will tell you to collect your passport at the chosen location within 2 days (they'll email a notification). 

And that's it! All the best! 

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Disclaimer: this article is correct as of June 2018, for a first time tourist visa from Malaysia only.