US Visa OFC Appointment 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide

What is OFC Full Form?

OFC full form: For faster processing of visa applications, the US embassy has set up OFC for students' convenience. OFC appointment full form is Offsite Facilitation Center.  This is essentially a US visa biometric appointment, where candidates provide their fingerprints (biometrics) and visa photographs before their US student visa interview appointment. You need to book an appointment to visit the OFC centre. After giving biometrics and a photograph, the DS-160 confirmation page is stamped. Aspirants must show their passport and the stamped DS-160 form at the time of the visa interview at the consulate.

What is OFC Appointment for US Visa?

OFC meaning is simple: it is an appointment booked to submit fingerprints before a US student visa interview. OFC appointment is an Offsite Facilitation Center that is set up by the US Embassy to speed up the visa application process. This helps students easily track their US visa status and schedule US visa appointments. 

One must book an OFC appointment to visit the Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC). Apart from this, you must also have a set of documents for visiting for the OFC appointment. Ensure that you schedule your OFC appointment before your visa interview appointment date.

Documents Needed for OFC Appointment

The following documents would be required for an OFC appointment: 

• Passport: Apart from your current passport, also carry your old passports.
• OFC Appointment Confirmation Copy: It is mandatory to carry a printed copy of the Appointment Confirmation. You need a copy of the Appointment Confirmation Page to enter the OFC centre.
• DS-160 Confirmation Copy: You must also carry a printed copy of the DS-160 form confirmation page to enter the OFC centre. If you have updated your DS-160 (including social media handle details), you will need to bring that as well to the VAC. Without the original copy and the updated DS-160, your OFC appointment at the VAC will be incomplete.
• I-20 Copy: This is also essential to carry along to prove that you have been admitted to the specified US university and have confirmation in the form of an I-20 form. 
• SEVIS Fee Receipt Copy: The SEVIS fee receipt shows that you have booked an appointment for your US student visa interview and so it is also required when you go for your OFC appointment. 

Please note: Documents required for OFC appointment are the same as for F1 visa document checklist as mentioned above. 

How to Book an OFC Appointment?

To book OFC appointment, follow the given steps:

• The very first step of OFC appointment booking is to log on to the US Embassy's official Indian website and create your account by providing the necessary details
• Search for the DS-160 form and fill in the required details for booking an OFC appointment.
• Next, pay the visa fee online. Remember OFC appointment will not be processed otherwise.
• After paying SEVIS fee schedule OFC appointment first and then the other for student visa interview.
• You can then attend the OFC appointment to provide your biometrics at your scheduled time slot.

Once the OFC appointment requirements are completed, applicants can then proceed to their student visa interview at the designated U.S. embassy.  

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When to Book OFC Appointment?

Ideally, applicants can book their OFC appointments 1-3 days before their actual student visa interview. This can be booked by logging on to the US Travel Docs website, the same website used for booking US student visa interview appointments as well. You must book your appointment well in advance to secure a slot 1-3 days before your student visa interview, as this process must be completed before the interview. 

What Happens at an OFC Centre?

It is a myth that a visa interview will be conducted at the OFC centre. Applicants must only submit relevant documents (passport, confirmation copy, etc.), this is why it is referred to as an OFC appointment and not an interview process. Applicants will be called at the OFC centre based on their scheduled OFC appointment, where fingerprinting and the visa photo process will take place.

• During the OFC appointment, no visa-related questions are asked.
• The officials collect fingerprints (biometric) and photos, and this process takes a maximum of 15-20 mins.
• Everyone undergoes the scanning process at their designated OFC centres.

For help, students can approach seniors or local officials. No officials from the USA's embassy are present there, as this script is a third-party company that handles the entire process.

OFC Fingerprint and Photo Process

Here is how the process will take place at the OFC appointment before applying for a US student visa: 

• Step 1: Most people are unaware of what they must do at the OFC centre. First of all, there is no visa interview at the OFC centre. Here, you must show your documents, Passport, copy of your OFC appointment, and DS-160 confirmation.
• Step 2: Once you reach the centre, you must wait for your turn.
• Step 3: When you are called, your fingers will be scanned.
• Step 4: Your photo will be taken there, and you do not need to carry your visa photos.
• Step 5: After completing this process, you must visit the US consulate for the visa interview at the scheduled appointment date.
• Step 6: After your visa interview is completed, you must return to the OFC centre to collect your passport if your visa application is approved.

Your passport will be delivered to you if you have selected Premium delivery. Additionally, you do not need to visit the OFC centre if your visa is rejected.

OFC Appointment Centres in India

Following is a list of centres to schedule OFC appointments for US student visas in India for Indian applicants:

Indian applicants can apply to the OFC centres mentioned above. Based on the current address or location, applicants can register their appointments. 

OFC Appointment Fee

The visa fee the applicant pays for the US Visa interview includes the OFC biometrics fee. The student visa fee in USA is USD 185. Thus, the OFC Appointment fee is only a part of this USD 185 student visa fee. Applicants ARE NOT supposed to pay an additional fee for the OFC Appointment process.  Applicants don't need to give anything else for the OFC appointment separately.

Note: The visa interview will not be conducted at the OFC centre; instead, it will take place at the consulate.

Also, Read

• Interview Tips for Student Visa
• F1 Visa Guide
• Interview Guide for F1 Student Visa for USA
• F1 Visa Interview Experience

Since OFC Appointment is an important procedure for completing the US student visa application process, applicants must book their OFC appointments to register their biometrics. Thus, applicants should book their OFC appointments as soon as they receive their I-20 forms, and before attending the student visa interview, they should have completed this process. Need more clarity? Write to us in the comments below, and we shall reply soon.