OFC Appointment Guide for US Visa: Scheduling and Preparing for Your Visa Interview

One of the important aspects of the USA visa application process is the OFC appointment. The full form of the OFC is Offsite Facilitation Centre. The visa application process is time-consuming and tedious, as plenty of documents are required to apply for a student visa. If you are aiming to study in USA, then understanding the visa process is crucial. At OFC, candidate needs to submit biometrics (fingerprints) and photos for their visa application. Candidates are required to book an OFC appointment and should appear at a given centre to provide biometrics and photos for the US student visa. Once you submit the same, your DS-160 form will get a confirmation stamp. Read the article for more information about OFC appointment, purpose, procedure, and more.

This Story also Contains

1. OFC Appointment Full Form
2. What is an OFC Appointment for a US Visa?
3. Who Requires an OFC Appointment for a US Visa?
4. Documents Required for US Visa OFC Appointment
5. How to Book an OFC Appointment for a US Visa?
6. What is the OFC Appointment Fee for 2025?
7. OFC Centres in India
8. OFC Fingerprint and Photo Process
9. Rescheduling OFC Appointment

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OFC Appointment Full Form

The OFC full form in the visa process is Offsite Facilitation Centre. There are centres for OFC appointments set up by the US immigration department to increase the efficiency of processing US student visa applications. You will need to submit your biometrics and photographs at the OFC before your appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) for your US student visa interview.

What is an OFC Appointment for a US Visa?

One of the crucial steps in the entire process of OFC is booking an OFC appointment. OFC appointment is your booking to visit the OFC centre. At an OFC appointment for US visa candidates are required to provide fingerprints and photographs before attending the visa interview. This will further help in tracking the US visa status. Make sure to have a set of documents ready to showcase at the OFC appointment. Schedule your OFC appointment before your visa interview appointment date.

Who Requires an OFC Appointment for a US Visa?

Students who are aiming to study in USA, need to schedule an OFC appointment. The OFC is a centre where you are required to provide your biometrics, like fingerprints and photos, and confirm the details of your application before your visa interview. This is the crucial first step before the visa interview. This step is designed to make the visa process smoother and speed things up overall.

Documents Required for US Visa OFC Appointment

The candidates need to submit the following documents for OFC appointment which are listed below.

• Passport: Apart from your current passport, you should also have your old passports with you.
• OFC Appointment Confirmation: You should carry a copy of the appointment confirmation letter when you enter the OFC centre.
• DS-160 Confirmation Copy: You should have a copy of the DS-160 confirmation page to enter the OFC centre.

How to Book an OFC Appointment for a US Visa?

In order to submit your application to the OFC, you will need to book an appointment beforehand. Candidates can do this online by following the steps mentioned below.

Step 1 - Visit the website - www.ustraveldocs.com.

Step 2 - Check the OFC appointment availability.

Step 3 - Select and fix your date.

You must go to the OFC on the day of the appointment and in case you are not able to make it on that day, you can cancel or reschedule your visa OFC appointments. The fees for the OFC appointment are included in the total fees for the US visa application process.

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What is the OFC Appointment Fee for 2025?

The US visa fee of USD 185 includes the OFC fee 2025. There is no fee required to pay for the OFC appointment. All the necessary OFC visa fees or charges are included in the total US student visa fee. The same is applicable for rescheduling of OFC and consular appointments.

OFC Centres in India

For the candidates in India, the OFC centres are located in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chennai. You can book your appointment at a centre that is convenient for you.

What happens at the OFC appointment for a US Visa?

On the day of your OFC visa appointment, you will have to take your passport and complete your biometrics which includes providing your fingerprints and getting your photo taken. There are certain US visa OFC appointment documents that you need for your appointment, which are discussed below. A common misconception is that the US student visa interview will be conducted at the OFC centre. This is not true as no US embassy officials are available at the OFC centre. The final interview is always conducted at the VAC or the embassy.

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What Happens After an OFC Appointment?

Once you have finished with your appointment at the OFC, you will have to visit the US consulate office for your student visa interview on the day you have been given a consular appointment. After this, you will have to visit the OFC centre once again to collect your passport in case your visa is confirmed.

OFC Fingerprint and Photo Process

Many people are unaware of the OFC centre's procedures. Notably, no visa interviews are conducted in the OFC centre. You are required to show your documents, which include your passport, OFC appointment copy, and DS-160 confirmation.

Step 1: Once you arrive for the OFC appointment, wait for your turn.

Step 2: At your turn, your fingers will be scanned on the biometric machine.

Step 3: Your photo will be taken at the OFC centre. This is why you do not need to bring visa photos.

Step 4: After this, go to the US consulate for the planned visa interview on the given date.

Step 5: If your visa application has been approved, return to the OFC centre to pick up your passport. For those who choose Premium delivery, the passport will be delivered to your place. If the visa is denied, no further visits to the OFC centre are required.

Things to Remember Before Your OFC Appointment for the US Visa

Before their OFC appointment, candidates must consider the following points:

• You will need to book separate appointments for the OFC (biometrics) and the visa interview, which will most likely take place at the US embassy or consulate. These can typically be arranged on the same day.

• Gather the following documents: your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, appointment confirmation, visa fee payment receipt, and a current passport-sized photograph that meets US visa standards.

• To avoid last-minute delays, plan to arrive at the OFC centre at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.

Rescheduling OFC Appointment

Any candidate who wants to reschedule their OFC visa appointment can do so at least three days before the appointment. This can be done by simply logging into your existing account and choosing the “Reschedule Immigrant Visa Appointment” option. Then, choose an alternate date for rescheduling the visa OFC appointment. If you miss the 3-day timeline for rescheduling of OFC visa appointment, then the candidate has to wait till the completion of the current OFC appointment date to reschedule a new one.

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