United States of America visa requirements for Malaysians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Malaysians visiting United States of America

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a American Visa.

  • An application form (DS 160 for non-immigrant visas or DS 260 for immigrant visas) completed and signed by you

  • A passport expiring at least six months after your planned stay in the US. Your passport must also have at least one blank page.

  • Two photographs that must have been taken in the last 6 months. The photo size must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), with a plain white background.

  • Paid visa fee to be able to schedule an interview. Fees vary per visa type. See table of Visa Fees below.

  • If you have traveled to the United States before then you would be required to present your former visas.

  • Your travel itinerary showing your planned date of entry and exit in the US.

  • Proof of accommodation either at a hotel, rented house, friend’s house or relative’s house e.t.c.

  • You must also provide proof of strong ties to your home country such as family, job contract, lease, or property deed, which prove you will return once your visa has expired.

  • Sponsorship documents are required if you are planning to go to the US sponsored by another person who is a resident in the country.

  • Fingerprints are mandatory for anyone applying for a US visa, except they belong to one of the following categories; children under 14, elders over 79, or fall within & NATO applicants. People who physically are not able of giving their fingerprints are also exempt from giving their fingerprints.

United States Of America Visa for Malaysians

Facts about United States Of America

The United States of America is one of the main tourist destinations in the world. You cannot truly see all the country has to offer in one trip. If you have exhausted the things to see in a particular location, the next location brings up a fresh array of things to see. The country has beautiful scenery, entertainment options, magnificent architecture, great tourist sites and so much more. No matter what you are interested in doing, you are sure to get it in the United States of America. National Parks, casinos, beaches, historical sites, movie theatres, trade fairs, shopping malls, restaurants, nightlife are just some of the things you can do in the country. Make sure you enjoy the rollercoaster of fun during your time here.
 
Tourism in the USA is a large industry that contributes greatly to the American economy. The United States of America is the country that attracts the third-largest number of tourists behind France and Spain and this may be attributed to the fact that tourists stay longer in the United States more than they do in France and Spain. The country plays host to about 78 million tourists yearly. Since Donald Trump got elected, the number of tourist visits in the United States has dropped by 4% and has led to the loss of about 40,000 jobs.
 
Citizens of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Caymans, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, South Korea, New Zealand, etc can gain entry to the United States of America visa-free for a certain period of time.

Types of United States Of America Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 3-5 weeks 90 days
Business visa 3-5 weeks 90 days
Student visa 3-5 weeks more than 90 days
Work visa 3-5 weeks more than 90 days

General Requirements for United States Of America Visa

  • An application form (DS 160 for non-immigrant visas or DS 260 for immigrant visas) completed and signed by you

  • A passport expiring at least six months after your planned stay in the US. Your passport must also have at least one blank page.

  • Two photographs that must have been taken in the last 6 months. The photo size must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), with a plain white background.

  • Paid visa fee to be able to schedule an interview. Fees vary per visa type. See table of Visa Fees below.

  • If you have traveled to the United States before then you would be required to present your former visas.

  • Your travel itinerary showing your planned date of entry and exit in the US.

  • Proof of accommodation either at a hotel, rented house, friend’s house or relative’s house e.t.c.

  • You must also provide proof of strong ties to your home country such as family, job contract, lease, or property deed, which prove you will return once your visa has expired.

  • Sponsorship documents are required if you are planning to go to the US sponsored by another person who is a resident in the country.

  • Fingerprints are mandatory for anyone applying for a US visa, except they belong to one of the following categories; children under 14, elders over 79, or fall within & NATO applicants. People who physically are not able of giving their fingerprints are also exempt from giving their fingerprints.

United States Of America Tourist visa United States Of America Business visa United States Of America Student visa United States Of America Work visa

United States Of America Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The US tourist visa is issued to Malaysians looking to travel to the US for tourism purposes.
  • This visa is also know as a B-2 visa.
  • This visa is valid for 90 days but can be extended to 6 months.
  • This visa can also be used for the following reasons:
    • Tourism.
    • Vacation (holiday).
    • Visit with friends or relatives.
    • Medical treatment.
    • Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations.
    • Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating.
    • Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation).
  • Applicants are required to provide proof of no criminal history. This should come in a form of a police certificate.
  • Financial affordability is required. This should come in form of a recent bank statement.
  • Applicants are required to provide a cover letter stating the following:
    • The purpose of your trip.
    • Your intent to depart the United States after your trip.
    • Your ability to pay all costs of the trip. 
  • Visitors must provide intent to return to home country. This can come in form of a return ticket.
  • Applicants should prepare for a physical interview. Visa interviews are required for only those from the age of 14 -79 years.
  • Medical diagnosis from your local doctor explaining the nature of your ailment and the reason you need the treatment in the United States.
  • Letter from the medical facility that is willing to treat your ailment in the United States. The length and cost of treatment should be included in detail in the letter.
  • Visitors traveling for medical purposes are required to provide a letter from a medical professional in Malaysia stating the state of the ailment of the applicant.

United States Of America Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Malaysians traveling to the US for business purposes are required to apply for the US business visa.
  • This visa is also known as the B-1 visa, it is quite different from the B-2 visa.
  • This visa is valid for 90 days but can be extended to six months.
  • With the B-1 visa allows Malaysians do the following:
    • Travel for business purposes.
    •  Consult any of the business associates if necessary.
    • You can solicit services, and also negotiate and finalize contracts.
    • You can transit through the US with this visa.
  • If you come across any courses or training in the US that is of help to your business, you can attend that too. Ensure your training must get over before your visa expires.
  •  You can build business relationship with Americans and other nationals during your stay in the US.
  • An original passport with at least six months validity beyond your intended is required.
  • Applicants are required to provide details of their social media accounts.
  • A letter that describes the purpose of the trip is required.
  • Applicants should provide ties connecting them to Malaysia such as family, job contract, lease, or property deed, which prove you will return.
  • Criminal records or letter from authorities stating that you do not have prior convictions must be provided.
  • A business letter is required from the host company in USA.

United States Of America Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Malaysians traveling to the US for study purposes are required to apply for the US student visa.
  • There are two types of student visa:
    • J-1 visa- this visa is meant for research scholars, exchange visitors and professors.
    • M-1 visa: this visa is for those attending a vocational or technical course or other non-academic institution.
  • The school you intend to attend and the course of study determine what category of student visa you will be applying for.
  • The admission letter from the institution you have been admitted to is mandatory.
  • The J-1 student visa requires the following:
    • Exchange visitor categories include: Camp Counselor, Intern, Au Pair and EduCare, Physician, Specialist, Short-term Scholar, Professor and Research, Teacher and Trainee.
    • These categories of people are not allowed to travel on a visitor visa or the visa waiver program.
    • Interviews are not required for children 13 years or younger and older than 80 years.
    • In addition to the DS-160 application form, applicants are required to fill the DS-7002 form.
    • You may be able to apply for a change of immigrant status if you are offered employment or marry a U.S citizen.
    • Do not buy flight tickets until you have received your visa. There is no guarantee that you will be issued the visa you applied for.
    • Your child or spouse may accompany or join you at a later date with a J-2 visa.
    • Your minors will be allowed to attend school in the United States on a J-2 visa.
  • The M-1 visa requires the following: 
    • This visa allows foreigners to attend a vocational or other recognized non-academic institution other than a language training program.
    • You are not allowed to study after entering with a visitor B visa.
    • Only foreigners between the ages of 14 – 79 years require interviews.  
    • New students visa can be issued up to 120 days before the commencement of study but you will not be allowed to enter the country more than 30 days before the start of the study.
    • If you are a continuing student you visa may be issued at any time and you may enter the United States before your classes start.
    • You will need to present the transcripts or certificates from schools you attended.
    • Your spouse (married or unmarried) as well as your minor children who intend to stay with you during the duration of your study may apply for M-2 visa.
    • Your minor children can attend school in the United States while with you.

United States Of America Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The US work visa allows Malaysians to take up paid employment in the United States.
  • There are three types of US work visa; H-1B, H-2B and L1 visas.
  • H-1B visa (foreign workers visa):
    • H1-B visa is meant for Malaysians who want to work in the United States.
    • This visa is only issued to Malaysians when there is no citizen of the United States available to take up the job.
    • The visa is issued for a period of 3 – 6 years.
    • At the expiry of the visa, an extension of 1 – 3 years may be granted.
    • Minor children and spouse of a holder of H-1B visa can accompany the H-1B visa holder with the H-4 visa.
    • Your minor children are allowed to study with the H-4 visa.
    • H1-B visa holders wanting a green card need to wait for an average of 6 years before getting it.
  • H-2B (temporary foreign workers visa):
    • This visa allows foreigners work in the United States on a temporary basis.
    • These workers usually work in the non-agricultural sectors.
    • Foreigners who do this temporary work are usually on a low salary.
    • You are expected to return to Malaysia at the conclusion of the work in the United States.
    • A letter from your local physician showing that you have a perfect health condition.
    • Traveling with a minor requires you to have the minor’s original birth certificate.
    • Proof of accommodation for the duration of stay in the country.
  • L-1 visa (Intracompany Transfers Visa)
    • This visa allows employees of a company with offices both Malaysia and the United States of America to work in the branch in U.S.
    • It is valid for a period between 3 months to 5 years.
    • Your spouse and minor children can accompany you by applying for an L-2 visa.
    • Spouse of L-1 visa holders may work with a L-2 visa.
    • Applicants of this visa must have worked for the company for at least 12 months over the past 3 years.
    • Proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay in the country.
    • The original copy of your minor’s birth certificate should be presented during the visa application process.
    • Certificate of employment in the company is required.
    • A letter from the United States of America division of the company requesting for your presence.
    • Receipt of payment of visa application fee is required.
  • O visa (extraordinary ability visa):
    • If you have extraordinary abilities in your field, you will be issued this visa.
    • Malaysians with special abilities in athletics, business, education or sciences, you will be issued an O-1 visa.
    • If your special ability is in arts, television or motion picture fields, you will be issued the O-2 visa.
    • Children and partners of the O-1 and O-2 visa types may accompany or join you at a later time by applying for the O-3 visa.
    • If you will be accompanied by an assistant, the person is to apply for an O-2 visa.
    • The O visa allows you to stay for a period of 3 years. After that time, the duration of extension will be decided by the USCIS.
    • Original copy of minor’s birth certificate is required during the visa application process.
    • Receipt of payment of visa application fee is required.
    • Proof of extraordinary ability.

United States Of America Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

160.00 (USD)

Business visa

160.00 (USD)

Student visa

160.00 (USD)

Work visa

190.00 (USD)

United States Of America Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Malaysia

Location

Address

Kuala Lumpur

U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia --- 376 Jalan Tun Razak 50400 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

my.usembassy.gov

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(+60) 3-2168-5000

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do I need to have in the bank to apply for the US tourist visa?

You should have an equivalent fund between the amount of 5000 dollars to 10,000 dollars as your bank balance.

How long can you stay on US tourist visa?

This visa is valid for 90 days but can be extended to 6 months.

How long is a US visa valid?

A B-1/B-2 visa has a validity period (from 1 month to 10 years), allows for one, two or multiple entries into the U.S.

What happens if I don't comply with the visa rules?

If you don't comply with the terms of the visa, it may be cancelled at any time, whether before, during, or after your stay in the United States.