Assalamualaikum and hi everyone.

It has been quite a while since I updated the blog. The reason being, I am busy doing work and everyday life thing here in Houston. I will start my first post on my experience boarding Qatar Airways from Kuala Lumpur to Houston via Dubai, and my hotel in Houston.

I am going to be in the States for 2-3 months. I was scheduled to arrive on 31st January, meaning I departed KLIA on 30th January. The economical flight was Qatar Airways and following my company policy, I will be a Business Class Passenger.

What did I bring for my extended trip? A summary would be a clothes enough for 1.5 weeks, leather coat, long john, shoe, my personal laptop, iPad, curry powder, foldable bagpack. I distributed my clothes on 1 luggage and 1 hand luggage. The hardest part is leaving my parents at the airport. Ibu keeps on crying for 2 weeks after I left KL.

My Qatar flight bound to Doha was to be at 3 a.m. My whole family send me off and at 2 a.m, I proceed to the gate. I did not even get to go to the Premium Lounge.

Best ke naik Business Class Qatar ni?

I got priority boarding. When I got in the A330 plane, the seats are already full. I put my hand luggage and laptop bag on storage and took a seat. My travel partner is a high profile ex-govenment officer who run multiple business. He is going to Morocco with his team for a business opportunity. the seat on Qatar Airways is generously spacious. The chair recline to flat bed position. For long flights, you will get amenities kit. One toiletry bag containing socks, lotion and perfume from Giorgio Armani and earplugs and sleeping patch.

On the seat, you'll get medium size pillow and blankets. In Qatar Airways, they promotes on-demand dining. meaning you can eat whatever, whenerver and how much you want. The menus are pretty extensive. You will also get a pyjama set once onboard.

For my first leg, I chose to drink mango juice and open some entertainment on the screen. I watch a movie and ordered Hot Chocolate. The sleepiness took over so I slept almost the whole 7 hours journey. I ordered breakfast which I pick an omelete about 2 hours before landing. The flat bed was very comfortable to sleep in.

Arriving in Doha, you'll get through special screening counter and I straight away went to the new AlMourjan Lounge. It is located on the third floor. The Lounge is huge with 3 floors and multiple restaurants. I tried to have a shower but the shower was full. Instead, I have some breakfast at the restaurant and call my mum.

AlMourjan Lounge huge eating area

Semi-private seating area

My pre-flight breakfast at Doha

I then went to the boarding gate right at boarding time. This leg will use the 777 plane. 777 has a wider and even more spacious legroom. It's like a private room. I was the first onboard and just like previous flight, we get the amenities, blanket, pyjamas. But this time we get the duvet since this is a 16 hours flight. I didnt use it though.

The Business Class cabin

My flight route pass over the Middle East, Russia, Europe, Iceland, Canada then down to the Gulf. I ate 3 times, spacing few hours between meals. The meal was really good... I watched 4 movies, slept alot on the plane. I frequently look out the window to see where I am. The most interesting place was when we flew over Greenland. I can see ice bergs, and a massive snow sheet on a no-man land. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

The beautiful Greenland

We arrived in Houston at 3 pm and I was detained at the Immigration for some paperwork. I was there until 8 pm. That was almost 4 hours. I was cranky, hungry and upset I just felt that I want to cry. You cannot use your phone in the Immigration office. They work really slow.

After getting stamp, I straight away went to the car rental bulding where I have to take a shuttle. I pick-up my car - the 2016 Chrysler 300. The car was so canggih that i spent 30 minutes figuring the system. With build in GPS, I attempt to search for my newly build residence in Houston.

I got lost 3 times, miss the junction due to the road being dark. I dont expect the road to be this dark though. I finally find my hotel, Residence Inn Springwoods. It just open for 2 months. Checking in was a breeze and I was happy with my hotel room which is a Studio complete with King Bed, Microwave, fridge, dishwasher and Stove.

My studio

My hotel has amenities such as coin laundry, a gym, free breakfast, a pool and a free cookie everyday. It is located quite near to the campus and surroundings. 2 mins drive to nearest grocery store and 15 mins to the nearest town.

Since I moved on a new job, I knew that I will be sent over to the States for some training/work. So, in November, the decision was to send me to my company's campus in Spring just off Houston, Texas. As such, I began to initiate the process for applying visa.

The visa type I'm applying for is a B1/B2 visa. For those who are being sent by company, it is tricky and I have heard that recently the US Embassy only granted a short term validity visa i.e 6 months or 3 months instead of 10 years. Hence, I prepared myself.

Baiklah, perkara yang perlu untuk memohon visa US.

1. Research and Information

Go to US Traveldoc and Malaysia US Embassy for information regarding the process, the application, the fee and the picture format.
Anda perlu ke sini untuk mendapatkan maklumat tentang gambar, borang visa, proses dan yuran.

2. Visa Type, Fee, Deposit Slip and Payment

I am using B1/B2 as instructed by my legal advisor. B1/B2 is for business and tourist purposes. The fee for this visa is USD160 or equivalent to RM 688 at the time. You have to pay the visa fee via Standard Chartered bank, either you went to the bank or you pay via online banking. Differences? Paying at the bank, your deposit receipt number is activated within 4 hours. Online took longer.

While paying, you have to bring a Deposit slip which has to be printed from the Embassy website.

Kalau anda dah confirm untuk apply visa, saya sarankan anda bayar yuran dahulu. Ini sebagai cagaran sekiranya anda memohon ketika waktu cuti panjang seperti saya iaitu sebelum Christmas dan selepas Thanksgiving.

3. The DS-160 form and Pictures

The DS160 form for male and female is different. Male applicants have to answer more questions. Once you start applying, they will give you Applicant ID. this is so you can logon and continue filling the form after you stop or exit the application.For me, the form is not complicated but certain things are when you are being sent by your company rather than vacation. Trust me, it is straight forward. But do quadraple check on your personal details before submitting them.

The pictures has to be in white background with the said size. Just tell the photographer about the visa format. MAKE SURE YOU ASK FOR SOFT COPY AS WELL. This is to be uploaded to the DS160 form. Save you time from scanning grainy pictures. Please make sure your photo meet the requirements stated at both websites. After you send the form, you'll receive a confirmation number. This number is to be used in step 4.

Sila pastikan maklumat yang anda masukkan di dalam borang DS160 adalah tepat. Bagi saya, isi borang DS160 ni mudah je. Jangan terlalu banyak berfikir dan jawab terus terang je. Banyak kali semak sebelum hantar borang. Borang ni boleh dibuka dan sambung isi kalau anda berhenti isi. Cuma kena ingat nombor Applicant ID sahaja. Pastikan anda simpan nombor tu.

4. Scheduling Interview

You will need the deposit receipt number and the DS160 confirmation number to schedule interview. Interview slots are usually available in 3 days or if your date is near to public holidays, expect delay. I waited 2 weeks for my slot since it was between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

You schedule your appointment at the website mentioned in 1. The interview will occur at the US Embassy in Jalan Tun Razak. Arrive early and bring essentials document.

Sila semak tarikh dan waktu temuduga visa. Kadang2 kalau apply time cuti panjang, memang lama lah queue untuk interview. Seeloknya, prepare awal la. jangan last minit baru nak apply visa.

5. Things to Bring

- Passport valid for 6 months
- DS160 Confirmation form
- I/C
- Interview Confirmation Form
- 2 pc of pictures
- Deposit Slip from Standard Chartered
- Supporting documents (payslip, itinerary, bank account slip etc.)

5. The Interview - My story

I chose to have my interview on 6th December at 7,45 a.m. Therefore, my parents decided to sleep in KL rather than having me push off from home. So we stayed at DoubleTree Hilton located at the Intermark Jalan Ampang. Rate was RM290 per night.

Since my office was very near, it was pretty convenient. After breakfast at Pelita, my parents drop me off in front of the Embassy at 7.30 a.m. A couple minutes after that, the guard starts calling for the 7.45 appointment to line up. You line up at the roadside to pick up the pass. You will hand over the interview slip and you IC to the guard and they will give you a pass. Then you will queue in the line close to the building wall for entry.

You will be scanned. NO LAPTOPS OR BIG BAGS ALLOWED. Bring small bag only. Electronic gadgets and car keys have to be stored at the booth. You will then enter the building and line up for fingerprint scanning.

They will scan a barcode on your passport (given at the entrance). Then you will get your interview number and you have to wait at the waiting room. I waited for 1 hour before my number was called. I walked to the next room and enter the phone-booth type (if you're lucky) counter. Mu counter has no door so everyone can listen to what I said.

Officer: Morning. So, what brings you to the US
Me      : I am working with XXXXX as a XXXX for 5 months now. As such, it is required for me to undergo training at the XXXXX Campus in Houston, Texas with all the experts in this field. Working as a XXXX I provide technical support and review to all assets globally including the America's. I report functionally to the US office. This training will enable me to continue my work and I will be able to work efficiently once I came back to Malaysia.
Officer: How long have you been working with XXXX?
Me      : I have worked with XXXX for 5 months, but previously I have worked as a Process Engineer for 3 years before moving roles.
Officer: What type of training will you undergo?
Me      : My training will involve technical group coaching as well as 1-on-1 coaching from the experts. The nature of the training will be technical tools, softwares and technical knowledge.
Officer: Do you have family in US?
Me      : No
Officer: Have you been to the US before?
Me       : No, this will be my first.
Officer:Hvae you travel oversea before?
Me      : Not on business, I have only travel for vacation.
Officer: Can you list the countries you've been to for the past 15 years?
Me      : I have been to Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, UAE, several countries in Europe such as France, Italy, Swiss and Monaco.
Officer: Okay, you're visa is approved!
Me      : Thank you so much.

I got the Asian-American officer. I am happy to know that my visa have been approved but I was nervous about the visa validity. I chit chat with several people that day and my interview was the longest which made me insecure. 2 ladies after my turn was put on Hold and Rejected. Scary much?

I guess it will depends on how you answer their questions. Try to explain and made them understand why you are going to the States. Don't just answer Yes or No. Some officer just interview for 1 minute and done.

Sila practice jawapan anda nanti untuk guarantee la. Jangan hanya jawab ya, tak dua tiga patah. Memang dia akan fail kan atau dia bagi tempoh pendek untuk visa. Jawab dengan jujur, explain dengan ringkas tapi padat. Jangan bagi maklumat yang tak berkaitan atau kalau dia tak tanya, tak payah la jawab kalau di luar konteks.

6. Visa Delivery

I choose to delivered it to my office. I interviewed on Wednesday and my visa arrived at the office via courier on Friday morning. Efficient! You can also check your visa delivery status at the website. I did not manage to ask the lady on how many years I got - I was nervous to ask.

When the visa arrived, I quickly open and saw: 10 YEARS! Multiple entry! Alhamdulillah!

Anda boleh pilih untuk pick up visa di Aramex office di PJ atau delivery. Delivery team dia sangat efficient.Alhamdulillah sebab dapat 10 tahun. Bersyukur sebab ada kawan yang dapat 3 bulan atau 6 bulan sahaja.