US To Waive Visa Process For Eligible Malaysians Reapplying For Visa

25 Feb 2014

The US has taken a decision to waive visa interviews for Malaysians who have an approved visa  (further to/after 2007), who frequently travel to US, and have a good track record.

Janice L. Jacobs, US Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, stated that those who were considered safe travelers and have already gone through their visa screening  process that includes biometric checks, would be qualified for the visa  interview waiver.

Starting from 2017, US may consider waiving the visa interviews for those Malaysians who have given their all ten fingerprints, collected from the date on or after 20^th December 2007.

She said at a roundtable session that at this point Malaysians need not come for another interview. It is one of the positive things that may happen in the coming years.

Tourism or business visas issued to Malaysians  have  a validity period of 10 years, a time period that is the maximum allowed by the US law.

Last year, the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur issued 42,000 visas to people traveling from Malaysia to the United States and there is an expected increase of 4% every year for the coming 6 years, according to Jacobs. She advised Malaysians to apply for visas for tourism and business in the US. Almost 95% of non-immigrant visas applied from Malaysia are approved. The visas issued are generally valid for a ten year time period. So, the US is offering through the latest declaration/decision what best it can offer,  so visitors from Malaysia can enjoy this facility year after year.

The US visa procedure for all the Malaysian is indistinguishable, irrespective of their ethnic or racial background. The US has put in a lot of effort in the last many years in making the visa process more efficient and more convenient and will continue to do the same in the future also, Jacobs was quoted as saying.

At present, all the applicants can schedule their appointments in the coming business days and almost 99% of the permitted candidates can collect their visa the next day.