It can take a long time to apply for a visa to enter the United States. You must not only gather and produce a large number of official documents, but you must also complete the required visa application. When you meet with a US consular officer, your documents and application will be checked for accuracy. However, most visa applicants will need to book an appointment at an office facilitation centre before going to the consulate (OFC).
What exactly is an OFC, and what should you expect from your appointment? A list of frequently asked OFC questions can be found below.
What Is An OFC appointment?
To expedite the visa application process, the US embassy has established an Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC), where individuals are required to provide their biometric fingerprints and visa photographs prior to their US visa interview. It is necessary to schedule an appointment to visit the OFC centre. Once the biometrics and photographs are submitted, the DS-160 confirmation page is stamped. During the visa interview at the consulate, applicants must present their passports and the stamped DS-160 form.
Check out: How to pass the F1 Visa interview questions
Documents Required
You will normally be required to produce the following official documents at OFC appointments:
- Your original passport, as well as any passports that have expired.
- A printout of your appointment confirmation page from the OFC.
- A copy of your visa application page
If you do not have all of your documentation in order and printed before your OFC appointment, you may not be permitted to attend.
How To Book An OFC Appointment
To schedule an appointment for the visa interview, you can visit the website http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ and select the “New Application/Schedule Appointment” option available on the left side of the screen.
What To Expect During An OFC Appointment?
A visa interview is not included in an OFC appointment; it takes place after your appointment. You’ll need to bring your passports, as well as printed hard copies of your appointment confirmation and visa application. You’ll also complete biometrics (fingerprinting) and have your visa photo taken at the centre.
What Happens Once After An OFC Appointment?
Following your appointment, you must schedule a visa interview with a US consular officer at your nearest US embassy.
After your visa interview, you must return to the OFC where you first applied for your passport to pick up your passport (s). Prepare to produce a printed hard copy of your visa application to acquire your passport(s).
You will not be required to have your fingerprints taken if you are eligible for a visa interview waiver. Alternatively, you can drop off the required documents at a “DropBox” location. The following visa applicants are eligible for an interview waiver:
- People under the age of 14 years
- People over the age of 80
- Applicants reviewing their visa under the same category
- Applicants whose visas come under the below category:
- A-1
- A-2
- G-1
- G-2
- G-3
- G-4
- C-3
- NATO
If you are unsure or confused about your eligibility for an interview waiver then make sure you check with the U.S. embassy or consulate.
How to Reschedule OFC Appointment for US Visa?
Once you have successfully scheduled your interview appointment at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ , if you need to make changes, you can log in to your account and select the option to reschedule the visa appointment. It is important to note that appointment rescheduling must be done within 48 hours of the appointment’s closing timeline. If you are unable to attend the scheduled date, ensure that you reschedule or cancel the appointment at least three working days in advance. Failure to do so will require you to wait until after the original appointment date passes before scheduling a new one.
OFC Centres In India
| State | City | Address |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai | Trade Center, Gr. Floor, G Block, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai – 400051 Trade Center, Gr. Floor, G Block, Bandra-Kurla Complex |
| West Bengal | Kolkata | Jasmine Tower, 31, Shakespeare Sarani (1st Floor) Kolkata 700017 |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai | Good shepherd, No 82, Kodambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034 |
| New Delhi | New-Delhi | S – 1 American Plaza, (Hotel Eros Managed by Hilton), International Trade Tower Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019 |
| Andhra Pradesh | Hyderabad | 1-8-384/385, Gowra Grand, S.P. Road Begumpet, Secunderabad 500003 |
Things To Keep In Mind
- If you need an appointment, it can be scheduled at the same time as your visa interview.
- If an appointment is required, you will not be able to attend your visa interview until you have presented all essential documents and had your biometrics and pictures taken during an OFC visit.
- An OFC facility will not be used for your visa interview. Your visa interview will take place with a consular officer at your nearest US embassy.
- At an OFC, there is a high level of security. You will not be allowed to bring any personal belongings with you, including a cell phone, except for the needed paperwork.
- Officials from the US embassy will not be present at an OFC site because they are normally handled by third-party entities.
- At your local OFC centre, there will be people who speak your language.
- Before going to your OFC appointment, make sure you have all of the relevant paperwork. If you fail to present the required papers, you may be denied entry to the facility, will have to reschedule your OFC appointment, and your visa processing may be delayed.
FAQs
1. What does an OFC appointment mean?
The US embassy has established an Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) to expedite the processing of visa applications. Before an individual’s US visa interview, candidates give their biometric (fingerprint) data and visa photos at the OFC appointment.
2. What is a VAC vs OFC appointment?
They are two distinct things that often occur at two different locations and times while applying for a US visa. First, one must submit fingerprints and a photo at the OFC appointment. Then, an individual is sent for a VAC appointment which is conducted by a consular which is the actual interview. You can schedule both, and that is how it works.
3. Is OFC and visa appointment on the same day?
There is no set amount of time that must pass between the OFC appointment and the visa interview appointment. The students cannot, however, schedule their OFC appointment and visa interview for the same day.
4. Are there any costs associated with an OFC appointment?
Biometrics and photo charges are included in your visa application price, so you won’t have to pay anything extra for the appointment
5. What are the locations of offsite facilitation centres?
OFCs are usually placed near the U.S. embassy in your area.
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