A Guide to OFC Appointment for USA Visa

OFC appointment is one of the processes of US visa application where applicants are required to provide biometric information including fingerprints and photographs. Individuals planning to study in USA need to take this appointment to avail a US student visa. The Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) is established by the US embassy to simplify and speed up the visa process. 

OFC appointments take place at visa application centers (VACs) before you meet a U.S. consular officer. Visa applicants are required to submit their passport, DS-160 form, visa application, and OFC appointment confirmation hard copy. OFC appointment is conducted before the visa interview. You need to book the appointment when the visa interview is scheduled. In this article, you’ll get to know everything about the OFC appointment.

Table of contents

• What is OFC Appointment?
• What are the documents required for an OFC appointment?
• What to expect during an OFC appointment?
• What happens after an OFC appointment?
• Fees for an OFC Appointment
• OFC Appointment centres in India
• Things to remember
• FAQ

What is an OFC Appointment?

Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) is established by the US embassy to process the visa application faster. Applicants need to book the OFC appointment before the visa interview takes place. Candidates are required to provide their biometric information such as fingerprints and visa photographs at the OFC centre as part of the visa process.

What are the documents required for an OFC appointment?

Applicants need to carry certain documents for verification while they visit Offsite Facilitation Centre (OFC). The documents required for an OFC appointment are:

• Passport - Both Original and Expired (if applicable)
• OFC confirmation printed copy
• DS-16 form confirmation copy
• Visa application fee receipt

What to expect during an OFC appointment?

As OFC appointment is a part of the visa application process, you have to submit the required documents. You will be required to provide your passport and printed hard copies of your OFC appointment confirmation and visa application. You will also be required to complete your biometric (fingerprint) process and take the photograph for your visa.

What happens after an OFC appointment?

After completing the process involved in the OFC appointment, you will have to attend the visa interview with a U.S. consular at your local U.S. embassy. Once you complete the visa interview, you will have to visit the OFC centre again to collect your passport. To obtain your passport, it is essential that your visa application is approved and so you have to provide your printed hard copy of the visa application.

Candidates eligible for the visa interview waiver need not be required to provide their fingerprints. But, they need to submit the necessary documents at a “ Drop Box” facility. Visa applicants qualified for the interview waiver are as follows:

• Individuals under the age of 14
• Individuals over the age of 80
• Applicants renewing their visa under the same category
• Applicants whose visa falls under the following categories: A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, C-3, NATO

If you want to know whether you’re eligible for an interview waiver, reach your local U.S. embassy.

Fees for an OFC Appointment

There are no separate fees charged for the OFC appointment. Candidates are only required to pay the visa application fees which include the biometric fees.

OFC Appointment centres in India

There are several Offsite Facilitation Centres in India that are located in cities which are given in the table below.

Things to remember

Following is some of the important information you need to know before booking your OFC appointment:

1. OFC appointment will be held before the visa interview. Thus your OFC appointment needs to be scheduled when your visa interview is scheduled.
2. You will have to submit the required documents and complete the biometric process during an OFC appointment, only after that your visa interview will be conducted.
3. At Offsite Facilitation Centre (OFC) your visa interview will not take place. The visa interview will take place at your local U.S. embassy.
4. At OFC you’ll not be required to carry your personal stuff that includes your mobile phone and bag as there will be strict security maintenance taking place.
5. Each individual entering the OFC will go through a complete checking and scanning process.
6. Officials from the U.S. embassy will not be available at the OFC centre as it is managed by third-party organizations.
7. If you need any assistance before your OFC appointment, you can reach the person at the centre who speaks your local language.
8. Certain individuals are not required to attend the OFC appointment if they are eligible for the visa interview waiver. Those need to provide the necessary documents at a local drop box.
9. Candidates qualified for the Drop box program will receive a notification once their visa application has been processed.
10. It is essential to carry all of the required documents to OFC, failing to provide them may lead to rescheduling the appointment, and eventually, your visa process will get delayed.

FAQ

1. What is the difference between OFC and visa appointments?

The OFC appointment is a process that is conducted to speed up the visa process. It takes place before the visa interview which requires applicants to provide their biometric information including fingerprints and photographs.

2. Do we need to submit Ds160 before OFC?

The DS-160 form needs to be submitted before your interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. To book the visa appointment you need to provide the barcode number presented on the DS-160 confirmation page.

3. What is an OFC appointment Interview Waiver?

The interview waiver is for applicants who don’t need to visit the OFC to provide their biometric information. To know the eligibility of the interview waiver, you need to reach the local embassy.

4. Can I reschedule my US visa OFC appointment?

Yes. You can reschedule your US visa OFC appointment up to a maximum of two times.

5. How do I download my OFC appointment?

1. Visit www.ustraveldocs.com and log in with your username and password
2. Click on the ‘Appointment Confirmation’ link in the Dashboard - home page.
3. You can download the appointment letter (both consular and VAC appointment) or you can email it.

6. How to book an OFC appointment for a US visa?

You can book your OFC appointment when the visa interview is scheduled. To book the OFC appointment, you need to visit www.ustraveldocs.com and choose the new application/schedule appointment.