If you’re planning to study in the US, the OFC (Offsite Facilitation Center) appointment is a must for getting a US student visa. The US embassy set up the Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) to speed up the visa process.
Remember: Before going for a visa interview at the Consular Sections, you should complete an Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) appointment for US visa.
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This appointment involves giving your fingerprints and a visa photo, making the OFC appointment for the US visa application process easier.
The OFC appointment happens at visa application centres (VACs) before you meet with a US consular officer. Make sure to bring your passport, DS-160 (nonimmigrant visa application) form, visa application, and a printed copy of your OFC appointment for the US visa confirmation.
This appointment comes before the visa interview, so schedule it when your interview is planned. This blog will cover everything you need to know about the OFC appointment for the US visa.
What is the Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC)?
The US embassy has established the OFC to speed up visa processing, especially for students. The full form of the OFC appointment is the Offsite Facilitation Center. During an OFC appointment for the US visa, you will have to provide your fingerprints (Biometric) and visa photographs before their scheduled US visa interview.
Note: To visit the OFC centre, you must book an appointment.
After completing the biometrics and photo session, the DS-160 confirmation page is stamped. During the visa interview at the consulate, you are required to present your passports along with the stamped DS-160 form.
Documents required for US visa OFC appointment
When visiting the Offsite Facilitation Centre (OFC), you must bring specific documents for verification. The required documents for an OFC appointment for the US visa include:
- Passport: Bring your current passport and any old passports you may have.
- Appointment Confirmation Copy: It is essential to have a printed copy of the Appointment Confirmation. You must present this copy to enter the OFC centre.
- DS-160 Confirmation Copy: Carry a printed copy of the DS-160 confirmation page for entry into the OFC centre. Without this copy, you will not be permitted to enter the centre.
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Schedule OFC appointment for US visa
To secure a US visa through an OFC appointment for the US visa, follow these steps:
- Visit the official website of the US Embassy in India and create an account by providing the required details.
- Search and complete the DS-160 form.
- Pay the visa fee online or at a designated bank.
- Schedule two appointments, either online or by contacting the embassy. The first appointment is for the OFC, where you’ll provide biometrics, and the second is for the visa interview at the embassy.
- Attend the scheduled OFC appointment to submit your biometric information.
What to expect at an OFC Center?
Contrary to a common misconception, the OFC centre does not host visa interviews. You will be asked to submit the specified documents (passport, confirmation copy, etc.).
Upon being called, you will undergo the OFC fingerprinting and visa photo process, followed by a thorough checking and scanning procedure. For assistance before the appointment, you can approach someone proficient in their native language at the centre.
Note: No US embassy officials are present, as a third-party company manages the entire process.
OFC Fingerprint and Photo Process:
Step 1: Many are unaware of the OFC centre’s procedures. Notably, no visa interview is held at the OFC centre. You present your documents, including your passport, OFC appointment copy, and DS-160 confirmation.
Step 2: Upon arrival, wait for your turn.
Step 3: When called, your fingers are scanned.
Step 4: Your photo is taken on-site, eliminating the need to bring visa photos.
Step 5: Following this process, attend the US consulate for the scheduled visa interview.
Step 6: After your visa interview, return to the OFC centre to collect your passport if the visa application is approved. For those opting for Premium delivery, the passport will be delivered. If the visa is rejected, there is no need to visit the OFC centre again.
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OFC Appointment Centres in India
Offsite Facilitation Centers in India are in various cities, as listed in the table below:
| Cities | Address |
| Mumbai | Trade Center, Gr. Floor, G Block, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra EastMumbai 400051 |
| Kolkata | Jasmine Tower, 31, Shakespeare Sarani (1st Floor)Kolkata 700017 |
| Chennai | Good Shepherd, No 82, Kodambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam,Chennai 600034 |
| New Delhi | S – 1 American Plaza, (Hotel Eros Managed by Hilton), International Trade Tower Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019 |
| Hyderabad | 1-8-384/385, Gowra Grand, S.P. Road Begumpet,Secunderabad 500003 |
Things to keep in mind
Important Points to Remember Before Your OFC Appointment for the US visa:
- Timing and Scheduling: Your OFC appointment is scheduled before the visa interview, so ensure that both appointments align.
- Document Submission and Biometrics: Only after submitting the required documents and completing the biometric process during the OFC appointment will your visa interview be conducted.
- Location of Visa Interview: The OFC is not where the visa interview takes place; your visa interview will occur at your local US embassy.
- Personal Items: Avoid bringing personal items like mobile phones and bags to the Offsite Facilitation Centre due to strict security measures.
- Security Checks: Expect a thorough checking and scanning process upon entering the OFC.
- U.S. Embassy Officials: US embassy officials won’t be present at the OFC, as third-party organisations manage it.
- Language Assistance: If you need assistance before your OFC appointment, personnel speaking your local language can provide support.
- Interview Waiver: Some individuals may not need to attend the OFC appointment if eligible for a visa interview waiver; they can submit necessary documents at a local drop box.
- Notification for the Drop Box Program: Candidates in the Drop Box program will receive a notification once their visa application is processed.
- Required Documents: Ensure you bring all necessary documents to the OFC, as failure to do so may lead to appointment rescheduling, causing delays in your visa process.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, navigating the OFC appointment for a US visa involves:
- A step-by-step process.
- Understanding necessary documents.
- Being aware of key details.
If you aspire to study in the US, the OFC appointment is a crucial step enabled by the US embassy to streamline the visa application process.
Remember to schedule your OFC appointment in alignment with your visa interview, as the two go hand in hand. The OFC process involves submitting essential documents, providing fingerprints, and taking a visa photo at designated visa application centres (VACs). You must carry your passport, DS-160 form, visa application, and a printed OFC appointment confirmation.
In preparation for your OFC appointment, consider crucial points such as timing, document submission, and adherence to security measures.
Remember that language assistance is available for those in need, and certain individuals may be eligible for a visa interview waiver through a drop box program.
Need more help? Leap Scholar‘s expert counsellors can help you get your visa sorted. You can get in touch with us and book a free counselling session today!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q. What does OFC mean in visa appointments?
A. The OFC appointment is integral to the US visa application process. OFC stands for Offsite Facilitation Centre, where you undergo biometric data collection, including fingerprints and photographs, ahead of your scheduled US visa interview. Booking an appointment to visit the OFC is mandatory.
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Q. What is the difference between a VAC appointment and an OFC appointment?
A. The distinction between OFC and VAC appointments lies in their purposes. OFC (Offsite Facilitation Center) appointments focus on biometric data collection, encompassing fingerprints and visa photographs. In contrast, VAC (Visa Application Center) appointments revolve around the submission of visa applications and supporting documents.
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Q. When should I schedule my OFC appointment?
A. Scheduling an OFC appointment for the US visa is crucial as it precedes the visa interview. You must complete the OFC appointment for the US visa before you can proceed to your visa interview. The appointment involves submitting necessary documents, providing biometrics, and taking photographs.
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Q. How much of a gap should there be between OFC and visa appointments?
A. While there is no specified minimum or maximum gap between OFC and visa appointments, applicants should be mindful not to schedule both on the same day. Students, in particular, need to plan accordingly, allowing sufficient time between the OFC appointment for the US visa and the subsequent visa interview.
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Q. Is OFC the same as biometrics?
A. OFC, or Offsite Facilitation Center, serves as a dedicated facility for biometric data collection. During an OFC appointment for the US visa, you provide your fingerprints (biometric) and visa photographs, expediting the overall US visa application process.
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Q. Is OFC appointment compulsory?
A. Yes, the OFC appointment is a mandatory step in the US visa application process. It accelerates visa processing by collecting biometric details, including fingerprints and photographs. The OFC appointment for the US visa is a prerequisite conducted before the visa interview.
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Q. What happens after an OFC appointment?
A. Following the completion of the OFC appointment for the US visa, the next step involves attending the visa interview with a US consular officer at the local US embassy. Subsequently, after the visa interview, applicants must return to the OFC centre to collect their passports.
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Q. Are OFC and visa interviews the same?
A. OFC and the visa interview are distinct phases of the application process. The OFC appointment for the US visa focuses on biometrics and takes place separately from the visa interview. The latter occurs at the US embassy on a different date, marking the next phase of the application.
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Q. What documents do I need for the OFC appointment for the US visa?
A. For an OFC appointment for the US visa, ensure you have the following documents:
-Confirmation page of Form DS-160 with CEAC bar code.
-Printout of the original interview appointment letter.
-Payment receipt for fees paid online before scheduling the appointment.
-Current and old passports.
-One photograph adhering to USA visa specifications. -
Q. Can we change the visa interview date after OFC?
A. Yes, you can reschedule your visa interview date for a future date, with a maximum allowance of two reschedules. To initiate the rescheduling process, you must access the relevant online portal or contact the consulate directly, sticking to the guidelines and procedures outlined by the US embassy.
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Q. Can I reschedule my OFC?
A. Certainly, you have the option to reschedule your OFC appointment for the US visa on the main portal. This flexibility allows for adjustments in the biometrics collection process, and you can also coordinate with the consulate to book a new visa interview appointment.
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Q. Can I cancel my OFC appointment for the US visa?
A. Cancellation of an OFC appointment for the US visa is permitted once, after which you can reschedule it. However, in the event of a second cancellation, you will need to pay the visa application fee again before being able to reschedule the appointment.
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