Update on Kuala Lumpur Tourist Visa Run
First time I have done this run since they have bought in the new registration online.
(If you didn’t know) Since the 1st of Feb you need to register online before going to the embassy. Not a big thing. Only a couple of questions and they send you a time to turn up. It’s a bit open ended. My time was between 950-1030. They ask you turn up 20 mins early. Which in my case is there opening time. So, I turn up at about 930, when they open and there’s a poor old guy. Same age as your granddad. Same guy that just sat there and waved you in. He now has an iPad. You show him the confirmation email or text and he types it in. Then we wait, and wait, and wait for it to finally say this is correct and he send you in.
As you can imagen there are also lots of people that didn’t get the memo about register beforehand. Thought they might just let some people in, but no. If you have internet on your phone you can register out side as you wait. Then show him the number and get in line. Or go across the road to the only hotel around which I’m guessing is making even more money charging to use their computers.
Once you get inside it’s the same as before, just a bit more manic. Before they called you up one at a time. Now on the screen there are about 10 people’s names and numbers all saying to go to the same 2 counters. So I then queue up there and waited to hand over my paperwork. When I finally get there the poor women is so stressed, she started having a go at me because I had folded all the pages and hadn’t unfolded them to make it quicker for her. She then asked for my passport which she didn’t open, just put it next to the paperwork. Asked for 150 rigget and gave me a receipt, which she tore but said it would be OK.
Later that evening I got a text. Which surprised me, not realizing my dtac Thai sim was working on the Wi-Fi over here. Text said “Application processed. Make appointment to retrieve passport” then a web site. Had to do the same as before and book a time to go collect it as well. Lucky my sim worked out here otherwise I would have had know idea I was meant to do that.
Went back the next day, same as before, give number to old man at gate, get sent inside. Wait for name to be called. Collect passport. No trouble, no questions.
You still need the same paperwork plus the confirmation email/message.
Check list, Application form, Flight in and out of Thailand. Accommodation for the whole time in Thailand and even though its not on the check list I took a bank statement. They used to ask but not sure now.
TLDR : Answer Summary
This post provides a detailed update on the tourist visa run process to Kuala Lumpur, highlighting the new online registration requirement effective from February 1st. It describes the registration steps, waiting times at the embassy, the paperwork needed, and the collection of the passport after the application is processed. Tips for managing the wait and necessary documents are also included, such as ensuring access to a smartphone for last-minute registrations.
