Hello. I would like to know whether the US Embassy here in Kuala Lumpur is open or not ?
I would like to apply for a tourist visa to enter US to visit some old friends in the States.
Is it a good time to apply for a Tourist Visa ??
Been trying to call the US Embassy Kuala Lumpur but unfortunately no one is answering.
Tried several times.
Sad !
Did you solve your problem yet? I just got back from the embassy on another matter but i did ask questions while there.
1. They are closed except for emergencies which you have to make an appointment for. When I was there a few weeks ago, I had the entire building to myself. It was spooky. There are only a few people working inside due to covid, and there is also no ambassador yet so the activity level is almost zero.
2. Because there is almost nobody working, applications for visas are piling up. Application for a tourist visa, yes you can make the application but you would be at the end of a very long queue. I dont know if applications made at the start of covid were ever processed or not but the officer told me if I made one today it wouldnt be looked at for a very long time. A person has to guess at the queue length, is it 1000 applications before you? 5000?
3. Biden hasnt opened up travel to US from Asia even though you can see flights on skyscanner.com that reach US from other directions. There are no usual airlines operating to US from here because of covid. There are several covid restrictions and also the destination state has its own too. You have to read about them, starting on links on skyscanner.com.
4. Biden also has not announced visa restrictions, if any, from any country, so you might start an application and then have it denied and your fees are lost.
5. Visas are outsourced now to a Malaysian company. Its called ustraveldocs.com and you can refer to their website for info.
Help desk 03-9212 6000 (if you have a problem or special request or something)
Email: support-malaysia@ustraveldocs.com
6. This applies to anyone. To get a visa and not lose your application fees, there are three things you have to prove. 1) You have a well-paying job in Malaysia that your employer will give a letter for that you are indispensable and they need you back ASAP. 2) That you have sufficient money to support yourself during the trip without relying on others. 3) You can prove you will leave on time and not overstay in US. This goes back to your job and your need to return to Malaysia.
6a. Those most often denied a visa are those who apply to "visit Disneyland" "go to hang out" "go to look around" "go look for a job." You need a firm reason to go. A malaysian friend signed up for college summer classes somewhere, paid for it, packed, bought an airline ticket and then applied for a visa which was denied! Why, I dont know, it seems a legit reason to me. In general, success in visas comes from a definite reason to go, trip dates that are pretty short like 10 days or 2 weeks, and some kind of demonstration that you wont stay there, hide, get a job and not go back to your country.
I have all sorts of phone numbers for the embassy but at the moment they wont help because the usual staff stays home due to covid. You can also email to the embassy at klacs@state.gov and someone will answer you within a day.
I hope anything in here helps. The main thing is that this is the WORST time to try to get a visa to US. Its best to wait for covid to lift, travel to open, people to get back to work at the embassy, Biden to decide immigration policy, etc.
Im an american and will answer if you have more questions.
