OFC Appointment for US Visa: A Step-by-Step Guide
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The visa application process is time-consuming and can be full of hassles at times. Especially when you are planning to go to study in the US and require a student visa along with scheduling US visa appointment. In this article, we will inform you everything about OFC, what is OFC, the documents required for OFC application, OFC appointment documents and related details.
There are several Visa Application Centers (VAC) set up by the US Embassy across India which allow you to submit fingerprints and a digital photograph. Since international applicants wish to study in USA, they have to book OFC appointments to complete the US student visa application process.
What is OFC Full Form?
OFC full form: For faster processing of visa applications, the US embassy has set up OFC for students' convenience. OFC appointment full form is Offsite Facilitation Center. This is basically, a US visa biometric appointment where candidates give their fingerprints (Biometric) and visa photographs before their US visa appointment. You need to book an appointment to visit the OFC centre. After giving biometrics and a photograph, the DS-160 confirmation page is stamped. Aspirants need to show their passport and the stamped DS-160 form at the time of the visa interview at the consulate.
What is OFC Appointment for US Visa?
OFC meaning suggested that OFC is an Offsite Facilitation Center that is set up by the US Embassy to speed up the visa application process. This helps students track their US visa status and schedule US visa appointments easily.
One needs to book an OFC appointment to visit the Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC). Apart from this, you also need to have a set of documents for visiting for the OFC appointment. Make sure to schedule your OFC appointment before your visa interview appointment date.
Documents Needed for OFC Appointment
The following documents would be required for an OFC appointment:
- Passport: Apart from your current passport, also carry your old passports.
- Appointment Confirmation Copy: It is mandatory to carry a printed copy of the Appointment Confirmation. You need a copy of the Appointment Confirmation Page to enter the OFC centre.
- DS-160 Confirmation Copy: You also need to carry a printed copy of the DS-160 form confirmation page to enter the OFC centre. Without this, you will not be allowed entry to the centre.
Please note: Documents required for OFC appointment F1 are the same as above.
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How to Book an OFC Appointment?
Follow the below-mentioned steps to book an OFC appointment to get a US visa:
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- Go to the US Embassy's Indian official website and create your account by providing the necessary details
- Search for the DS-160 form and fill in the same
- Next, pay the fee for the visa either online or at a designated bank
- You will have to book two appointments thereafter either online or by calling the embassy. The first one will be for the OFC and the other one for the visa interview which will be conducted at the embassy.
- You can now attend the OFC appointment to provide your biometrics
What Happens at an OFC Centre?
It is a myth that a visa interview will be conducted at the OFC centre. Applicants will only be required to submit the required relevant aforementioned documents (passport, confirmation copy, etc.). Applicants will be called and OFC fingerprinting and the visa photo process will take place. Everyone will have to undergo a checking and scanning process. If an applicant needs any help before the appointment, he/she can approach someone at the centre who might be well-versed in your native language. No officials from the US embassy will be present as the entire process is taken care of by a third-party company.
OFC Fingerprint and Photo Process
Here is how the process will take place at the OFC appointment before applying for a US student visa:
- Step 1: Most people are not aware of what they need to do at the OFC centre. First of all, there is no visa interview at the OFC centre. Here, you have to show your documents, Passport, copy of your OFC appointment, and DS-160 confirmation.
- Step 2: Once you reach the centre, you need to wait for your turn.
- Step 3: When you are called, your fingers will be scanned.
- Step 4: Your photo will be clicked there and you need not carry your visa photos there.
- Step 5: After the completion of this process, you need to visit the US consulate for the visa interview at the scheduled appointment date.
- Step 6: Once your visa interview is done, you need to visit the OFC centre again to collect your passport if your visa application is approved.
Your passport will be delivered to you if you have selected Premium delivery. Also, if your visa is rejected then you need not visit the OFC centre.
OFC Appointment Centres in India
Following is a list of centres to schedule OFC appointments for US student visas in India for Indian applicants:
| Indian Cities | Address Details |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | Trade Center, Gr. Floor, G Block, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra East Mumbai 400051 |
| Kolkata | Jasmine Tower, 31, Shakespeare Sarani (1st Floor) Kolkata 700017 |
| Chennai | Good Shepherd, No 82, Kodambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034 |
| New Delhi | American Citizen Services Unit, U.S. Embassy, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri New Delhi, India 110021 |
| Hyderabad | Survey No. 115/1, Financial District, Nanakramguda Hyderabad, Telangana, 500032 |
Indian applicants can choose to apply to the above-given OFC centres whichever suits them and is the nearest for them.
OFC Appointment Fee
The visa fee the applicant pays for the US Visa interview includes the OFC biometrics fee. The student visa fee in USA is USD 185, thus, the OFC Appointment fee is a part of this USD 185 student visa fee only. Applicants ARE NOT supposed to pay an additional fee for the OFC Appointment process. An applicant doesn't need to separately give anything else for the OFC appointment.
Note: Visa interview does not take place at the OFC centre, it will take place at the consulate.
Also, Read
- Interview Tips for Student Visa
- F1 Visa Guide
- Interview Guide for F1 Student Visa for USA
- F1 Visa Interview Experience
Since OFC Appointment is an important procedure towards completing the US student visa application process, applicants must book their OFC appointments to get their biometrics registered. Thus, applicants should book their OFC appointments as soon as they get their I-20 forms and before going in for the student visa interview they should have completed this process. Need more clarity? Write to us in the comments below and we shall get back to you at the earliest.
Q: What is OFC appointment?
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OFC Appointment for US Visa FAQs
Q. What is the difference between OFC and VAC appointment?
A. OFC or (Offsite Facilitation Center and VAC or Visa Application Center are two different things, check out the difference between OFC and VAC below:
| OFC |
VAC
|
|---|---|
| Primarily for biometric data collection (fingerprints and photograph) |
For submission of visa application and supporting documents
|
| Involves only the collection of biometric data |
Involves submission of documents, payment of fees, and potential interview scheduling
|
| Often located in a separate facility or area within the VAC |
Usually the same location as the VAC
|
| Typically scheduled separately from the VAC appointment |
Often scheduled together with the VAC appointment
|
| Usually scheduled before the VAC appointment |
Can be scheduled before or after the OFC appointment
|
Q. What should I wear to my visa OFC appointment?
A. Applicants going for OFC visa appointment should go for formal clothing only. Since this is a part of the formal student visa in USA, it is always better to take it formally and be careful always.
Q. How many days between OFC and visa interview?
A. Offically, there is no specified days mentioned between OFC and visa appointments. Howver, applicants must not to schedule both on the same day. As there can be a conflict and applications can be rejected at the first sage.
Q. What happens after OFC appointment?
A. After completing the US visa biometric process or OFC formalities, applicants will have to attend their student visa interview. Applicants cannot attend the US student visa interview till all the formalities have been completed.
Q. Is there a gap between an OFC and a visa appointment?
A. It is important that applicants schedule their OFC and visa appointments on different dates. Both the processes cannot happen on the same date because of logistical reasons also. Applicants must ensure there is a signficant gap but every process is followed in order that is, complete US visa biometric (OFC) process and then go for the scheduled US student visa interview.
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a year ago
OFC appointment meaning is - biometric or data collection of applicants at an offsite facilitation centre before applicants schedule their US student visa interview. At OFC, the applicants also submit their fingerprint marks along with their photographs. This process is significant before scheculing a student visa appointment to study in the USA.