Why did I receive a request for an interview after applying for an e-visa in Malaysia?

Nov 13, 2024
8 days ago
Applied for e-visa a few days ago, just received this. Has anyone got anything similar before? Or what do you think could be the reason for it? location: Penang, Malaysia
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user recently applied for an e-visa and received a notice suggesting they might be required to attend an interview. Community members noted that it is not uncommon for visa authorities to request interviews, particularly if there are concerns about the applicant's documentation or if there is suspicion regarding the applicant's location or past visa types. They advised remaining in the country of application until the visa is granted and reassured that if there is no cause for concern, the interview process should be manageable.
Elías ********
They do reserve the right to ask the applicants to visit their consulate or embassy, for an interview or in person check of your documents. This might be done also when they suspect you lied in some way (including that you were not physically located where you claimed to be). If you don't have anything to hide, then don't worry. Somebody else here told that he was called because he had an ED visa for studying Thai in the past, so they wanted to see how well he could speak. That was in the Taiwan office.
Paul *******
@Elías *******
Taipei is a walk-in consulate. They will switch to e-visas soon.
Henrik *****
You can be requested to come in person to both walk-in and e-visa embassies.
John **********
They are entitled to ask you in for an interview. An example of why you should remain in the country you apply in until the visa is granted
Paul *******
@John *********
Even via the e-visa system? That's strange. I thought the idea was that they stopped seeing people in person once that system goes into effect.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
very strange, I agree. Would you have any guesses for the reasons why?
Henrik *****
A guess could be your nationality, immigration history, applying for the wrong type of visa for the intended activity in Thailand, doubt about your whereabout, legality of your passport, etc etc.

Only the Embassy can give the correct answer.
Paul *******
Anonymous participant In this case, perhaps they need more info? Still, I can't understand why such things can't be handled via email, over the phone or just by asking you to submit the relevant documents via their system.
John **********
@Paul ******
they reserve the right to ask you to attend in person. You just can't apply in person
Paul *******
@John *********
Highly unusual and an almost impossible task in some jurisdictions (for example, in Australia...if you're in Perth they can't ask you to fly to Canberra...it's too far away).
John **********
@Paul ******
they may not, but they can. Personally I think it's much more likely at embassies in the region who are quite strict about you being in the country to apply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
absolutely, I have no problem with an interview. Just wondering if I need to print out all my documents or just bring the passport as per their request
Alessandro *********
Anonymous participant They asked me too in Prague (via email not like that on the online submission), I printed everything for nothing, they had already all the documents submitted printed, so we had the same stuff 2 times, and it was a lot of stuff like 50 pages, but better print it anyway, each embassy is a story on its own.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alessandro ********
thank you for the input!
Werner ************
Anonymous participant bring everything
Namtan ****************
Are you Asian?
Paul *******
@Tore ********
Which they can tell by looking at the passport submitted during the e-visa application.
Tore *********
@Paul ******
yes? Obviously
Paul *******
@Namtan ***************
What does that have to do with anything? I don't think the Thai consulate is interested in an applicant's race. Nowadays, in countries such as Malaysia, everything is dealt with online.
Tore *********
@Paul ******
he is literally asked to come in Physically for interview. And origin/passport country can matter.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Namtan ****************
Anonymous participant What category are you applying for?
Namtan ****************
Anonymous participant Maybe for an interview.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Namtan ***************
so like a ton of questions coming my way?
Werner ************
Anonymous participant questions about your entire application submitted