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OFC Appointment Guide for US Visa: Scheduling and Preparing for Your Visa Interview
Edited By Stuti Jain | Updated on Aug 14, 2024 10:02 AM IST
As you may be aware, the visa application procedure is lengthy and exhausting, and a variety of documents must be gathered before applying for a visa. This is true for the US student visa application, which is part of the preparation to study in USA.
The OFC appointment is a part of the US visa application process. The OFC appointment full form is Offsite Facilitation Centre, where US visa applicants can submit their biometrics (fingerprints) and photos before their visa interview.
Candidates must schedule an OFC appointment meaning should visit an allotted centre to give biometrics and photographs for US visa purposes. After submitting the same, your DS-160 form will get a confirmation stamp.
You should bring the necessary OFC appointment US visa documents and your passport to your interview. Read the article to learn about OFC appointment, purpose, procedure, and much more.
OFC Appointment Full Form
The OFC full form in visa process is Offsite Facilitation Centre. Similarly, the OFC appointment full form is the Offsite Facilitation Centre appointment. These centres for OFC appointments are 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 as self-explained in OFC full form in visa.
What is OFC Appointment for US Visa?
It is one of the stages in the visa application process. The OFC appointment US visa meaning stands for the requirement of the candidates' fingerprints and photographs before attending the visa interview.
Once the visa interview is scheduled, the candidate can book a slot for the OFC appointments and attend. There is no particular time gap requirement between the OFC appointment 2024 and the visa interview. Here, the completion of the OFC appointment means the candidate can proceed with the visa interview at offsite facilitation center.
How to Book OFC Appointment for US Visa?
In order to submit your application at the OFC you will need to fix 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 complete fees for the US visa application process.
Reschedule OFC Appointment US Visa
Any Candidate who wants to reschedule their OFC visa appointment can reschedule their visa OFC appointment three days before the appointment. This can be done by simply logging into your existing visa account and choosing the “Reschedule Immigrant Visa Appointment” option.
Then, choose an alternate date for rescheduling the visa OFC appointment. If the rescheduling of OFC visa appointment is not done early, then the candidate has to wait till the completion of the current OFC appointment date to reschedule a new one.
OFC Appointment Fee 2024
There is no fee required to pay for the OFC appointment. All the necessary OFC visa fees or charges will be included in the OFC visa application fee itself.
The same is applicable for rescheduling of OFC and consular appointment. There is are no charges for rescheduling the OFC appointment US visa.
What Happens on OFC appointment for 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 clicked.
There are certain US visa OFC appointment documents that you need for your appointment which we will discuss below.
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.
- Copy of the 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.
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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 just like explained in OFC full form in Visa.
Details of OFC Appointment Centres in India
| OFC appointment centres in India | Address |
| Mumbai | Trade Center, Gr. Floor, G Block, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra East Mumbai 400051 |
| New Delhi | S – 1 American Plaza, (Hotel Eros Managed by Hilton), International Trade Tower Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019 |
| Chennai | Good Shepherd, No 82, Kodambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034 |
| Kolkata | Jasmine Tower, 31, Shakespeare Sarani (1st Floor) Kolkata 700017 |
| Hyderabad | 1-8-384/385, Gowra Grand, S.P. Road Begumpet, Secunderabad 500003 |
Related reading
- Tips to crack your upcoming student visa interview
- Documents required for US student visa
- Admission Intakes In The USA
- Accommodation USA
- Things to know before studying in USA
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 an OFC and consular appointment. After this, you will have to visit the OFC centre once again to collect your passport in case your visa is confirmed.
What to Expect at an OFC Center?
Contrary to the general opinion, the OFC centre does not conduct visa interviews. You will be prompted to submit the required documents (passport, confirmation copy, and others).
When you're called, you will go through the OFC fingerprinting and visa photo process, followed by a comprehensive examination and scanning procedure. Before your appointment, you can seek assistance from someone at the facility who is fluent in your original language.
Note: The entire process is managed by a third-party company, so there are no US embassy officials present.
OFC Fingerprint and Photo Process
Step 1: Many people are unaware of the OFC center'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 2: Once you arrive, wait for your turn.
Step 3: When called, your fingers will be scanned.
Step 4: Your photo is taken on-site, which eliminates the need to bring visa photos.
Step 5: After this, go to the US consulate for the planned visa interview.
Step 6: 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 at 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, although not always.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will there be any interview for OFC appointment US visa?
No, this appointment is just for biometric data collection and there is no interview held at OFC appointment.
2. Is OFC appointment and the visa interview same or different?
Both are different, after the completion of the OFC appointment, the candidate will need to attend the visa interview.
3. What if I miss my OFC appointment?
The candidate has the option to either cancel or reschedule the OFC appointment for a US visa. In the case of not utilizing these options and choosing not to attend the interview, then the candidates' visa account gets blocked for 120 days.
4. What is the validity of visa fee?
The visa fee is valid for 1 year or 365 days. The candidate can make sure to complete all the processes and stages within the time period.
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Dear aspirant hope you are doing well..
To study at foreign universities/abroad in U. S , the admission process will require the candidate to give one language exam and one standardized exam. However, depending on the country, course, college, or university you are applying for you may be exempted from standardized exams. The language test will showcase your English proficiency skills. These exams are required for pursuing almost all courses abroad. Different countries have different language exams such as
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Hope it's helpful for you..
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AVINASH KUMAR 23 February,2022
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