Learn what a US visa OFC appointment is, required documents, and how it differs from consular appointments. Complete guide to scheduling and preparing for your visa process.
Getting a visa involves multiple steps. Many applicants get confused about what happens when. The US visa OFC appointment is your first physical interaction with the visa process. OFC stands for Offshore Facilitator Centre. These centers operate in countries where US visa demand is high. Think of them as administrative hubs. India, for example, has multiple OFC locations across major cities. VFS Global runs most of these centers under contract with the US Department of State. They handle the paperwork side of things so Embassy staff can focus on interviews.
You cannot skip the OFC step. It is mandatory for most nonimmigrant visa categories including tourist, business, student, and work visas. The system exists to make processing more efficient. Instead of crowding embassies with document submissions and biometric collection, these tasks happen at OFC centers. Embassies then focus purely on interviewing applicants and making visa decisions.
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Walk into an OFC center and you will notice it feels different from an embassy. Less formal. More like a service center. Here is what actually happens during your OFC appointment.
First, staff verify your identity. They check your passport against your appointment confirmation. Security screening follows. You will go through metal detectors and bag checks similar to airport security. Next comes document collection. Staff review your DS-160 confirmation page, photograph, and supporting documents. They ensure everything meets requirements before forwarding to the Embassy.
Biometric enrollment is the main event. Staff capture your fingerprints digitally. All ten fingers get scanned. This biometric data links to your visa application permanently. The US Department of Homeland Security uses this information for security screening. Some locations also take a digital photograph if your submitted photo does not meet specifications. The entire process takes 15-30 minutes on average.
You receive a receipt confirming your OFC appointment completion. Keep this document safe. You need it for your consular interview. No interview happens at the OFC. No visa officer asks you questions. Staff simply collect information and prepare your file for the actual Embassy appointment.
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What is OFC and consular appointment for US visa breaks down like this. The OFC appointment is administrative. Document verification. Biometric collection. Data entry. No decision making happens here. Staff members are not visa officers. They cannot approve or deny your application.
The consular appointment is the real interview. You meet with a US consular officer at the Embassy or Consulate. This officer has authority to approve or deny your visa based on your interview responses and application documents. Timing matters. Your OFC appointment always comes first. Usually 1-3 days before your consular interview. Some locations require more time between appointments.
You must complete both appointments. Missing either one means starting over with new scheduling and fees. Documents required differ slightly. OFC needs basic paperwork and biometrics. The consular interview requires comprehensive supporting evidence for your specific visa category.
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The US visa OFC appointment required documents list includes several mandatory items. Your passport comes first. It must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the United States. Damaged passports get rejected. Make sure yours is in good condition.
The DS-160 confirmation page with barcode is essential. This form is your visa application. Print the confirmation page after submitting your DS-160 online through the Consular Electronic Application Center. Your appointment confirmation letter proves you scheduled the OFC visit. Print this from the visa appointment system. It contains your appointment date, time, and location.
A recent photograph meeting US visa specifications is required even though you already uploaded one with your DS-160. Bring a printed copy as backup. Size must be 2x2 inches with white background taken within the last six months. Some visa categories need additional documents at the OFC stage. Student visa applicants should bring their I-20 form. Work visa applicants need their I-797 approval notice. Check your specific visa type requirements. Payment receipts for your visa fees must be available. While some locations only need the receipt number, carrying printed proof helps if system issues arise.
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What is OFC post in US visa appointment simply means the specific OFC center handling your application. Each city with an OFC operates as a separate post. In India, OFC posts exist in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru among other cities. Each post serves specific geographic regions.
Your OFC post assignment depends on your residential address provided in the DS-160 form. The visa appointment system automatically assigns you to the nearest OFC location. You cannot choose a different OFC post just because it is more convenient. The system locks you into the assigned location based on your documented address.
Some applicants try to manipulate this by listing different addresses. Do not do this. Immigration officers can verify your actual residence. Providing false address information can result in visa denial and future immigration problems. Each OFC post operates on its own schedule. Appointment availability varies by location. Major cities typically have more slots but also higher demand.
After your OFC post completes processing, your file transfers electronically to the Embassy or Consulate for your consular interview. You will see this location when scheduling your second appointment.
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After deciding to apply for a US visa, you first complete the DS-160 form online. This takes 1-2 hours depending on your visa category and how organized your information is. Next comes paying the visa fee through approved payment channels. Payment processing typically takes 1-2 business days before appearing in the appointment system.
Scheduling appointments is next. In high demand periods, OFC and consular appointment availability might be weeks or months out. In slower periods, you might find appointments within days. Your OFC appointment happens on your scheduled date. The appointment itself takes 15-30 minutes.
Wait time between OFC and consular appointments varies by location. Usually 1-3 days minimum. Some applicants schedule them a week apart to allow more preparation time. The consular interview is your final step. Interview duration ranges from 2-5 minutes for straightforward cases to 20-30 minutes for complex applications.
After the interview, visa processing time depends on your case. Approved applications typically receive passports with visas within 5-7 business days via courier. Cases requiring additional administrative processing can take weeks or months. Total timeline from starting your DS-160 to receiving your passport averages 2-4 weeks in normal circumstances. Peak travel seasons or locations with appointment backlogs extend this timeline significantly.
Have special circumstances affecting your OFC or consular appointments? Beyond Border navigates complex cases and ensures proper procedures for every situation.
What is a US visa OFC appointment and why is it required? A US visa OFC appointment is a mandatory administrative step where applicants visit an Offshore Facilitator Centre to submit biometric fingerprints and verify documents before their Embassy interview, helping streamline the visa processing system.
What is the difference between OFC and consular appointment for US visa? The OFC appointment handles document verification and biometric collection at a service center, while the consular appointment is the actual visa interview with a US officer at the Embassy who decides whether to approve or deny your application.
What documents are required for a US visa OFC appointment? US visa OFC appointment required documents include your valid passport, DS-160 confirmation page with barcode, appointment confirmation letter, recent photograph meeting US specifications, visa fee payment receipt, and category specific documents like I-20 for students or I-797 for workers.
What does OFC post mean in the US visa appointment process? OFC post in US visa appointment refers to the specific Offshore Facilitator Centre location assigned to you based on your residential address, which handles your biometric enrollment and document verification before forwarding your file to the Embassy for the consular interview.
Can I skip my OFC appointment if I already had a US visa before? No, most applicants cannot skip the OFC appointment even with previous US visas, as biometric data must be current, though some renewal cases may qualify for interview waivers while still requiring updated fingerprints at the OFC center.
