OFC Appointment for US Visa: The Offsite Facilitation Centre commonly known as OFC, is part of the VISA process in the United States. The OFC Appointment has essentially been created to streamline and expedite the visa application process. Generally, applying for a visa to enter the United States takes quite a bit of time. The long process of attaining a VISA makes applicants impatient as well.
During the conventional Visa process, applicants are required to submit numerous documents and fill out the application form with accuracy, as well as wait while the documents and application are accessed by the United States Consular Officer.
The modification in the US Visa process has made it possible for applicants to save some time.
OFC Appointment for US Visa: What Is It?
Applicants who are enrolling to get a VISA for the US are definitely required to share biometric details, including photographs, and fingerprints. Earlier, the biometric details were collected during the personal interview session; however, the modification in the process has allowed the biometrics to be done during OFC appointments.
It is the US State Department that created and supervises the OFCs to boost the VISA Application process for the US. The Offsite Facilitation Centre normally asks for fingerprints, photographs, and all mandatory official documents during the appointment. The only locations where the OFC appointments are held are the designated VISA Application Centers (VAC). Following their completion of the OFC Appointment, candidates can speak with the US Consular Officer.
Documentation Needed for OFC Appointments
In order to process the VISA application faster, the applicants might require to keep handy some of the important documents for their OFC Appointment. You are required to go along with the below mentioned documents to get your VISA application processed.
- Valid and expired passports are both required.
- Applicants must possess a copy of the printed VISA application form.
- Applicants must have a copy of the confirmation of the OFC Appointment.
Note: In order to attend the OFC Appointment, applicants must ensure that they arrive at the OFC appointment center with the necessary documentation. If they forget to bring any of the necessary documents, they will not be allowed to attend the scheduled appointment.
OFC Appointment: Expectations
The OFC Appointment is not an interview session where appearing individuals need to prepare answers. It is just a simple offline process of submitting documents and having them verified with the aid of digital devices.
During the OFC Appointment, individuals are required to submit their passport and printed hard copies of the confirmation of the OFC appointment, followed by the VISA application. Additionally, the center will perform biometrics, taking the applicant’s fingerprints and photos.
OFC Appointment: What Happens After
Have you completed the OFC Appointment step? If yes, then you are good to proceed further with the next steps. Once you have completed the OFC Appointment, you can headover to a local US Embassy and proceed with the VISA Interview. A US Counselor appointed by the government would take your interview and proceed further with your VISA approval.
Candidates would have to return to the OFC to pick up their passports after their interview with the US Consular is complete. The Passport cannot be obtained without showcasing the Printed VISA application.
The verification of fingerprints will not be necessary for candidates who believe they qualify for the VISA Interview Waiver. However, they need to submit other necessary documents to the Drop Box Facility. There are certain criteria for VISA interview waiver. We have mentioned below the essential points below and if you fall in any of the below mentioned categories, you need not appear for the VISA Interview process.
- Candidates must be no older than 14 years old.
- Applicants over the age of 80 years.
- In the previously selected category, applicants renew their VISA.
- The following categories of applicants are considered: NATO; A-1, A-2; G-1, G-2; G-3, G-4; or C-3.
OFC Appointment for US: Fees Explorations
If you are thinking that you may need to pay some sort of fee to appear for the OFC appointment, then you are wrong. The great news is that no applicants from anywhere in the world are required to deposit any fee for appearing in the OFC appointment session.
The cost of OFC appointments and other charges are already included in the VISA application; hence, aspirants do not need to pay any separate fee for biometrics appointments.
OFC Appointment for US: How to Make a Reservation
Making a reservation for VISA application is quite simple. Candidates who are willing to speed up their VISA application process can visit the nearest OFC Appointment Centre. These centres are generally close to the US Embassy. Candidates may book their OFC appointments concurrently with their VISA interview. Since working officers typically belong to the local state/country, it becomes very easy for applicants to communicate with the officers.
Nowadays, it is also possible for candidates to reserve an OFC appointment online by visiting the facility’s website. People will be able to schedule an appointment more easily and trouble-free thanks to this.
OFC Appointment Centers in India
India has a number of Visa Application Centers where applicants from all over the nation can come to submit their applications and complete the remaining procedures, like scheduling OFC appointments, etc. The list of OFC centers or VISA Application Centers is given below.
- Mumbai, Maharashtra OFC Appointment Centre: Mumbai’s OFC Appointment Centre is located in; Trade Center, Ground Floor, G-Block, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Pin Code–400051.
- Kolkata OFC Appointment Centre: The Kolkata located OFC Appointment Centre has an address: Jasmine Tower, 31, Shakespeare Sarani, First Floor, Kolkata, West Bengal, Pin Code–700017.
- Chennai OFC Appointment Centre: The Chennai (Tamil Nadu) OFC center is actually located at Good Shepherd, No 82, Kodambakkam, High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pin Code– 600034.
- New Delhi OFC Appointment Centre: The New Delhi OFC Appointment Centre is situated in Nehru Place, which is one of the busiest electronic markets. The location for the New Delhi OFC Appointment Centre is S–1 American Plaza, Hotel EROS, International Trade Tower, Nehru Place, New Delhi, Pin Code– 110019.
- Hyderabad OFC Appointment Centre: The Appointment Centre of Hyderabad is located at 1-8-384/385, Gowra Grand, S. P. Road Begumpet, Secunderabad, Pin Code–500003
What is OFC and VAC appointment?
Appointments with the OFC (Offsite Facilitation Center) are for the gathering of biometric data, while appointments with the VAC (Visa Application Center) are for the submission of visa applications and accompanying documentation.
Note: In order to learn more about the OFC Appointment for a US VISA, you may leave a comment so that we can provide a specific response to the question you have in mind.