All About OFC Appointment for a US Student Visa

The Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) is a place where visa applicants visit to give their biometrics such as fingerprints and have their photo taken as a visa process. Basic knowledge about the Offset Facilitation Center is a must for US-going students or aspirants. In this blog, you will read about the documents required for OFC appointment B1/B2, and what to expect during an OFC appointment US visa.

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

What is OFC Appointment?

It is required to have an appointment before visiting the Offsite Facilitation Center. You must book an OFC appointment to submit important documents and biometric data for visa processing. You must give your biometrics such as fingerprints and visa photos before your visa interview at the visa application center (VAC).

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

What is the Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC)?

The US embassy has introduced OFC (Offsite Facilitation Center) to expedite the issuance of visas, especially for students. Your biometric fingerprints and photographs are taken at OFC, prior to your visa interview at the U.S. consulate.

Once the photographs and biometrics are taken at OFC, a stamped DS-160 form is given to you, which you have to take to the consulate for your visa interview.

Dive into our video to get all the details you need on the OFC appointment for your US student visa. Start watching now 

What to Expect During an OFC Appointment?

Unlike what most people believe, the OFC does not conduct visa interviews. You will have to provide all the papers from your side, including a passport, confirmation copy, etc.

Note: No officials of the US embassy are present since a third-party company will manage the whole process.

OFC Fingerprint and Photo Process:

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  Step 1: Many individuals do not know the procedures of the OFC. Most importantly, there is no interview for the visa at the OFC. You present your documents, which include your passport, OFC appointment copy, and DS-160 form.

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  Step 2: Upon arrival, wait for your turn.

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  Step 3: After calling, biometrics will be taken by them.

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  Step 4: You will be photographed on-site.

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  Step 5: Report to the US consulate after you receive the DS-160 form.

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  Step 6: If the visa is granted, pick up the passport from the OFC. In case premium delivery is requested, the passport will be delivered to your place. In case the application is rejected, then you are not required to visit the OFC. 

How to Reschedule an OFC Appointment? 

You can reschedule your OFC appointment for future dates if you are unable to visit OFC due to some reasons. Please note that you can reschedule your appointment a maximum of 2 times and not more than that.

Documents Needed to Change OFC Appointment

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Below are the documents required for scheduling or changing an OFC appointment. You need to bring hard copies of the documents for the appointment.

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

Please note your photographs will be taken on-site and you do not need to carry your photographs.

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. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Attending an OFC Appointment

Please note that there can be several mistakes that you should be aware of when attending an OFC appointment. We have listed them here:

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  Incomplete or inaccurate documents: Please make sure you have all the necessary documents duly filled, like your passport and DS-160 confirmation. Also, all the documents submitted by you should be updated and with accurate information.

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  Missing appointment or arriving late: Double-check your appointment date and time to avoid missing it. Also, make sure you reach OFC on time. Any delays may leave a bad impression.

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  Inadequate financial proof: If applicable, be prepared to provide financial documents and sponsor or loan details. Do not hide the financial information, as if found to be missing, may result in cancellation of your student visa. 

Tips for Your OFC Visit

The Center for Offsite Facilitation follows strict security protocols since it handles sensitive personal data. You will not be allowed to take your bag or smartphone inside. Make sure you bring all the OFC appointment documents as failure to bring the required documents may result in delays. The process is very simple and is handled by a third-party company, and there will be no US embassy officials.

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  Ensure that the details you submit are perfect. Even a small mistake, such as a slight variation of home address in your passport or D160 form will lead to the cancellation of your visa.
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  There will be select dates for OFC appointments. So you can expect a small crowd on the day, and plan to reach on time.

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.

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. You must schedule the interview waiver appointment earlier before 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:

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  Your OFC appointment can be scheduled only when your visa interview is scheduled.
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  You will not be able to attend your visa interview until you present the required documents, biometrics, and the photos taken at the OFC.
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  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 visa interviews. These experts will assist you with the mock interviews, give you feedback and tips, prepare your profile, and help you with slot booking.

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

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.

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• 
  Top Universities in USA

• 
  Study Abroad Scholarships (2023) for Indian Students

• 
  Guide to Public Universities in the USA

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to bring to my OFC appointment?

 

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

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  Your passport
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  Appointment confirmation copy
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  The stamped DS-160 form
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  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.

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.