Us Visit Visa

[NanLaew]

I need to get a B1/B2 visa for a trip to the US next month. I am a Brit (UK passport), currently in KL so looking at the online visa application process. It appears that the US Embassy here farms out the visa applications to VFS-Global (same as the Brit Emb does in Bangkok).

I was preparing to do the online application until I noticed the following statement on the VFS-Global instructions,

"Visit the U.S. Embassy on the date and time of your visa interview. You will need to bring your printed Appointment Letter, CEAC Confirmation Page Copy , one recent photograph (taken LESS than 6 months ago), current and all old passports and the original Alliance Bank fee receipt. Applications without all of the above and the original Alliance Bank fee receipt or with an incorrect photograph will NOT be accepted."

Now that is a bit of a bugger as all my previous 16-odd passports are either in a drawer in a house in Scotland with the rest in the nightstand in Udon. I just don't carry them around with me.

I am not sure if VFS-Global handles US visa applications in Bangkok OR if anyone has tried to apply for a US visa in KL recently but before I pony up with the non-refundable $140 application fee and purchase about $2500 worth of air tickets, does anyone know if the agency will not accept an application because the applicant is a hot-shot oil industry consultant who goes through a passport every 3-4 years and has 'homes' in several countries?

PS. I don't qualify for the visa-waiver; I really don't. Hence the B1/B2 application.

[thaihome]

Just a guess, but I think the old passport is only needed if it has old US visas in it. Besides, how would they know how many old passports you have had?

TH

[ThaiVisaExpress]

Why not ask Integrity Legal they sponsor the forum.

[NanLaew]

^^ In my dealings with US Immigration recently, they want to know as much as they can about you, regardless of any non-US nationality and residence!

^ Surprisingly enough, the KL branch of VFS-Global responded within the hour to my request for clarification as follows:

"While you have the right to apply for a non-immigrant visa at any U.S. Consulate, you should apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence. It may be more difficult to qualify for a visa when applying outside your own country of permanent residence. If you choose to apply in Malaysia, it is on the understanding that you may be refused because it is harder for the consular officers to determine whether you have sufficiently demonstrated strong ties to your home country.

In order to lodge your application, kindly present your proof of immigration status in Malaysia (e.g. Employment Pass, Students, Dependent Pass, etc.)

Note: It is not advisable to apply for your US visa in Malaysia if you have not been continuously living in Malaysia for at least one year."

Basically say if one has less than 1-year of proven Malaysian residency or cannot furnish an appropriate MY immigration status such as a work pass, etc., then don't even think about applying for a US visit visa in KL.

So, since I am married to a Thai with a son, have a Non-B visa and am on the yellow book for the family home, how do you think my chances are of getting a US B1/B2 visa are in Bangkok? I think the US Government website listed a 7-day processing time which would mean me taking at least a week off from work in KL, hence my original query about getting the visa in Malaysia.

Edited September 28, 2010 by NanLaew

[jazzbo]

PS. I don't qualify for the visa-waiver; I really don't.

This US Government website page lists some of the reasons one may have a Passport from a Visa waiver country and still not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program:

http://travel.state....0.html#national

See question: When does a national of a VWP country need to apply for a visa instead of using the VWP?

Edited September 28, 2010 by jazzbo

[Thanyaburi Mac]

^^ In my dealings with US Immigration recently, they want to know as much as they can about you, regardless of any non-US nationality and residence!

^ Surprisingly enough, the KL branch of VFS-Global responded within the hour to my request for clarification as follows:

"While you have the right to apply for a non-immigrant visa at any U.S. Consulate, you should apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence. It may be more difficult to qualify for a visa when applying outside your own country of permanent residence. If you choose to apply in Malaysia, it is on the understanding that you may be refused because it is harder for the consular officers to determine whether you have sufficiently demonstrated strong ties to your home country.

In order to lodge your application, kindly present your proof of immigration status in Malaysia (e.g. Employment Pass, Students, Dependent Pass, etc.)

Note: It is not advisable to apply for your US visa in Malaysia if you have not been continuously living in Malaysia for at least one year."

Basically say if one has less than 1-year of proven Malaysian residency or cannot furnish an appropriate MY immigration status such as a work pass, etc., then don't even think about applying for a US visit visa in KL.

So, since I am married to a Thai with a son, have a Non-B visa and am on the yellow book for the family home, how do you think my chances are of getting a US B1/B2 visa are in Bangkok? I think the US Government website listed a 7-day processing time which would mean me taking at least a week off from work in KL, hence my original query about getting the visa in Malaysia.

NanLaew (Long Time, already??)

Looks like Bangkok would be a better option and given your ties to Thailand, a shoe-in for the visa. Seven days processing? Seems overly long, about three (3) days is more accurate in general. My wife's last couple of 10-year visas were EMSed back to us within that seven days so some Thai postal service time was involved. Believe you can opt for picking it up at the Embassy, tho, rather than EMSing elsewhere.

Still, KL might be an option, risking the $140 application fee against a r/t plane ticket and a week's leave, or even 3-4 days. Seems to me the ConOff interviewer would have be some kind of horses ass to deny the visa just because you are "based" in Thailand but working at a number of locations around the world. Explanation? Just taking advantage of being in KL to apply for the visa rather than taking off work to head to BKK. I assume, altho the Q might not come up, that your UK passport reflects travel for work elsewhere. Would look good, too, if you've been in Malaysia for, say, 3-6 months working, even if you've had the occasional run back to Udorn to visit wife & kid.

Let us know how this unwinds, just curious.

Mac

An AmCit

[thaihome]

... which would mean me taking at least a week off from work in KL, hence my original query about getting the visa in Malaysia.

Don't you have a Malaysian "Visit Pass (Temporary Employment) that shows your work address and such? That should be sufficent to show your status in KL. How long have you been working in KL?

As a UK citizen working in KL, there really should not be a problem getting the visa.

I know things change according to personnel, but my experience with US consulate in KL 10 years ago was very positive.

TH

[NanLaew]

PS. I don't qualify for the visa-waiver; I really don't.

This US Government website page lists some of the reasons one may have a Passport from a Visa waiver country and still not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program:

http://travel.state....0.html#national

See question: When does a national of a VWP country need to apply for a visa instead of using the VWP?

Yes, I guess that last category comes closest to my situation.

Has been refused admission to the United States before, or did not comply with the conditions of previous VWP admissions (90 days or less stay for tourism or business, etc.).

I had/have 2 concurrent passports (legal for UK citizens) and when I entered the US for business, I would use the passport with a B1/B2 and when I entered for personal stuff like Vegas junkets and Superbowls, I would use the visa-waivered passport. Being honest yes?

However, being honest was my undoing since it is ILLEGAL to enter the US on a visa-waivered travel document if you already have a visa issued in another travel document; hence their ruling that I no longer qualify for visa-waiver entry. They put up with it for 6 months and a couple of entries but the last time they they let me in, the nice chap said don't even try and come back without a visa.

Edited September 29, 2010 by NanLaew

[NanLaew]

NanLaew (Long Time, already??)

Looks like Bangkok would be a better option and given your ties to Thailand, a shoe-in for the visa. Seven days processing? Seems overly long, about three (3) days is more accurate in general. My wife's last couple of 10-year visas were EMSed back to us within that seven days so some Thai postal service time was involved. Believe you can opt for picking it up at the Embassy, tho, rather than EMSing elsewhere.

Still, KL might be an option, risking the $140 application fee against a r/t plane ticket and a week's leave, or even 3-4 days. Seems to me the ConOff interviewer would have be some kind of horses ass to deny the visa just because you are "based" in Thailand but working at a number of locations around the world. Explanation? Just taking advantage of being in KL to apply for the visa rather than taking off work to head to BKK. I assume, altho the Q might not come up, that your UK passport reflects travel for work elsewhere. Would look good, too, if you've been in Malaysia for, say, 3-6 months working, even if you've had the occasional run back to Udorn to visit wife & kid.

Let us know how this unwinds, just curious.

Mac

An AmCit

I doubt I want the time-waste of the visa agency deciding it's too tough to verify my bona-fides after the fact. I will probably do it in Bangkok as it does seem the place where I have most evidence of provable 'domicile' which is something that the Department of Homeland Paranoia and their service agencies seem to be getting more and more concerned about. Personally, I see it being driven primarily by the IRS (the other well-known hi-jacker of the US Social Security Admins personal ID system) rather than counter-terrorism! I mean I am a Scottish gypsy <deleted>!

[NanLaew]

... which would mean me taking at least a week off from work in KL, hence my original query about getting the visa in Malaysia.

Don't you have a Malaysian "Visit Pass (Temporary Employment) that shows your work address and such? That should be sufficent to show your status in KL. How long have you been working in KL?

As a UK citizen working in KL, there really should not be a problem getting the visa.

I know things change according to personnel, but my experience with US consulate in KL 10 years ago was very positive.

TH

The nature of my work is supporting my KL-based clients SE Asian field projects so my scope of work covers Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the PI. Since this is a contract position with much travel, although I am ostensibly KL-based, the Malaysian reality is a mail drop, a shared desk, borrowing a mates condo and more frequent flier miles (and used-up passport pages) than a regular 9-5, Mon-Fri presence in the country.

I have been milking this cash cow for only 4 months and VFS-Global did say that anything less than 1-year in Malaysia aint gonna cut it. I guess they are saving their time as well as mine!

Edited September 29, 2010 by NanLaew

[thaihome]

Apply in Bangkok.

TH