All About OFC Appointment for a US Student Visa

    Updated on: 12 Sep 2023


    OFC stands for Offsite Facilitation Center and is important for Indian students seeking admission in US academies. OFC appointment makes the admission process into US institutions much easier for the students, and we will see how. The purpose of the OFCs is to collect biometric data and other documents of the students for a smooth admission process.

    Basic knowledge about the Offset Facilitation Center is a must for US-going students or aspirants.

    In this blog, you will read about what is an OFC appointment US visa, documents to be submitted at the OFC, things to keep in mind while visiting an OFC, and the OFCs in India.
    Let's understand what is an OFC and what to expect during an OFC appointment US visa.

    Latest Update: Effective May 30, 2023, the US Department of State will be increasing the fee for US student visas from $160 to $185, as announced in a recent update.

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    What is an OFC appointment?

    Offsite Facilitation Center appointment is mandatory to visit the OFC. The applicant must book an OFC appointment to submit important documents and biometric data for the purpose of visa processing. Applicants give their biometrics such as fingerprints and visa photos before their visa interview at the visa application centers(VAC).

    It is possible to reschedule the OFC appointment in case any emergency arises. The Offset Facilitation Centers also do other services related to the US Visa, including its renewal, cancellation, etc.

    How to reschedule an OFC appointment? 

    The following are the steps to schedule an OFC appointment US visa:

    1. Go to ustraveldocs.Com. Select “Schedule My Appointment”  and scroll down.
    2. Click on “Schedule an appointment”.
    3. You can register as a new user or login if already registered.

    To reschedule, click on “Change your appointment” instead of “Schedule an appointment”.

    Evaluate your Chances of MS in US Admissions Click Here

    What are the documents needed for the OFC appointment?

    The following documents are required for scheduling an OFC appointment. You need to bring the hard copies of these documents for the appointment. 

    • Your passport
    • Appointment confirmation copy
    • The stamped DS-160 form
    • Visa application fee receipt

    What is the fee for an OFC appointment?

    There is no separate fee required to be paid for an OFC appointment. The visa fee you pay includes the OFC appointment fee as well.

    What is the OFC fingerprinting and visa photo process?

    The OFC fingerprinting and visa photo processing are the stages of US admission involving the OFC. Collecting biometric data at the OFC involves a very simple process of scanning your fingerprints. You are required to submit your documents there.

    Your photos will be captured at the office for verification and documentation purposes. The next step after data submission at the OFC is the visa interview. You will be visiting the OFC once again after the visa interview to collect your passport.

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    What should I keep in mind while visiting an Offsite Facilitation Center?

    An Offsite Facilitation Center has strict security rules since it deals with bulk personal data. You will not be allowed to take your bag or smartphone inside.

    The process is very simple and is handled by a third-party company, and there will be no US embassy officials. 

    • Ensure that the details you submit are perfect. A small mistake, such as a slight variation of home address in your passport and D160 form, your surname in all but one document, etc., will lead to your visa getting canceled.
       
    • There will be select dates for OFC appointments. So you can expect a small crowd on the day, and plan to reach on time.
    Evaluate your Probability of Admission in US Universities Click Here

    Where are the OFC locations in India?

    In India the major metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata have OFCs. The applicants can select the nearest center.  

    The following table shows the address of Offset Facilitation Centers in India.

     

    City

    Center Address

    Mumbai, Maharashtra

    Trade Center, Gr. Floor, G Block, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai – 400051 Trade Center, Gr. Floor, G Block, Bandra-Kurla Complex

    New Delhi

    S – 1 American Plaza, (Hotel Eros Managed by Hilton), International Trade Tower Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019

    Chennai, Tamil Nadu

    Good shepherd, No 82, Kodambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034

    Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

    1-8-384/385, Gowra Grand, S.P. Road Begumpet, Secunderabad 500003

    Kolkata, West Bengal

    Jasmine Tower, 31, Shakespeare Sarani (1st Floor) Kolkata 700017

     

    What is the process after an OFC appointment?

    After the OFC appointment there will be a visa consulate interview, where you will be interviewed by an official from the US embassy. The applicants must schedule the interview waiver appointment earlier. It is to be noted that the applicant schedules in-person interview prior to the OFC appointment.

    Important things to remember:

    In addition to the information provided before, you must be aware of the following things regarding an OFC appointment:

    • Your OFC appointment can be scheduled only when your visa interview is scheduled.
    • You will not be able to attend your visa interview until you present the required documents, biometrics and the photos taken at the OFC.
    • Double-check all the required documents before visiting the OFC center. If you fail to furnish the required documents, you will not be allowed to enter the facility and you will have to reschedule your appointment.

    How can GyanDhan help with your US student visa process?

    The US student visa interview is the final checkpoint a student needs to get through to successfully travel to the US for studies. Therefore, acing the visa interview should be a top priority. 

    GyanDhan has cherry-picked experts including those who worked in the US visa consulates for several decades. Having taken countless visa interviews, they have an immense understanding of the in-and-out of the visa interviews. These experts will assist you with the mock interviews, give you feedback and tips, prepare your profile, and help you in slot booking.

    Visa counseling, which is otherwise an expensive affair, will be provided to you at discounted prices through GyanDhan! So contact GyanDhan and significantly increase your chances of getting your US visa approved.

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    Concluding remarks

    An OFC appointment is a very crucial stage in the US visa process. In the OFC appointment, your live photo is captured, biometric data is collected, and visa documents are verified. The visa consulate interview will take place only after the OFC appointment. An applicant can schedule the OFC appointment only after scheduling the visa interview, and it is possible to reschedule the OFC appointment.

    We hope that this article has solved your queries regarding OFC appointments. If you still have any doubts or questions, you can post them in the comment box below to get a prompt answer.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What do I need to bring to my OFC appointment?

    To schedule an OFC appointment, you need the following documents:

    • Your passport
    • Appointment confirmation copy
    • The stamped DS-160 form
    • Visa application fee receipt

    You must bring the hard copies of these documents .

    What is OFC full form?

    OFC is elaborated as Offset Facilitation Center. Collects the biometric data and other relevant documents of an applicant prior to the visa consulate interview.

    How do I schedule an OFC appointment?

    The following are the steps to schedule an OFC appointment:

    1. Go to ustraveldocs.Com. Select “Schedule My Appointment”  and scroll down.
    2. Click on “Schedule an appointment”.
    3. You can register as a new user or login if already registered.

    What is the fee for an OFC appointment?

    There is no additional fee for an OFC appointment. It is included within the visa fee.

    What happens if I miss my OFC appointment?

    You can reschedule the appointment after 24 hours from the earlier date. You can reschedule the appointment if any inconvenience arises. 

    Is OFC and visa Appointment the same?

    The OFC appointment and visa interview are not the same. OFC appointment is to collect the necessary data. The visa interview is the next step after the OFC appointment.
     

    First published date: 06 Jan 2021


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About author

Gurbani kaur Suri
A keen lover of reading and loves to explore new things. A strong believer of spirituality and goodness.

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