KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 ― The United States has no immediate plans to exempt Malaysians from travel visa requirements when visiting the country, said its ambassador to Malaysia Kamala Shirin Lakhdir.
Lakhdir told English daily The Star that the Trump administration was also not currently looking to expand the programme to include more countries.
“I cannot predict if there will be a change in that policy,” she was quoted as saying.
“Malaysia and the US have worked very hard on travel security measures, in terms of making sure travellers are legitimate and working on lost or stolen passport information”.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said last year that Putrajaya could try negotiate for a visa waiver for Malaysians planning to travel to the US.
The statement was made shortly after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak met US President Donald Trump in Washington early last year.
While the exemption is not in sight, the United States Embassy now allows visa renewals by mail for Malaysians.
Those renewing their US visa were previously required to fill up an online application and go through the interviews again.
However, holders of visas that are still valid or have expired within the last 12 months can now renew theirs by mail without having to attend the interview, The Star reported.
The US is also considering extending the service to regular travellers.
Lakhdir said the changes are part of the country's effort to make visa process more “customer-oriented” for Malaysians.
