Wednesday 15 May 2013

Offsite facilitation Center (OFC) Appointment experience

Hi Guys, 

This is in fact my first blog. A few friends (visa applicants) have asked me to explain my experience at the visa appointment centers. Hence, I thought writing this blog about my experience would help my friends as well as students in at least getting the basic structure of the visa appointments.


I had applied a couple of days before writing this blog for US Student visa in Mumbai for my higher studies. I will give you an entire overview of my experience at the visa appointments, both the Offsite Facilitation Center (Hereafter referred to as OFC) appointment as well as the Consulate interview appointment. 


This part of my blog explains my experience at the OFC. My consulate interview appointment experience blog is present here.


I had booked my visa OFC appointment at 4 pm in the afternoon. I wore jeans, t-shirt and casual shoes, formals are not required for OFC appointment. When going for an OFC appointment, do not take any electronic appliances, do not keep anything in your pockets other than your handkerchief and do not take anything in your hands (Not even a watch 
or remote car keys), other than a file which contains your Passport, Interview confirmation and DS-160 confirmation. There is a facility where you can keep your items but at your own risk. I would recommend not taking any electronic appliances to this place, just to be safe.


I reached the OFC in Mumbai around 35-40 minutes before the appointment time. The security guard there told me to stand in the queue in the sun's heat for around 15 min. Then, the security let me in where a person checked my pockets. After that, another guy checked my documents (the passport and the confirmation page) and told me to go inside another room. As soon as I entered that room, a person gave me a coupon number and told me to be seated in the room and wait till they call my coupon number. So I sat there until another guy called my coupon number and told me to go to the counter. This wait is not long as there are around 10 counters running at any time. After I reached the counter, I gave the person my coupon, passport and confirmation page. Then the person at the counter took my photo and fingerprints(All fingers. So don't get a cut on any of your fingers before the OFC appointment. :P). The person then attached a barcode to my passport and directed me to a desk wherethe person explained the lounge access facility for the visa interview which is at the consulate. The lounge access facility involves pickup and drop facility as well as AC waiting room. It costs Rs.400. I did not take it and I do not think it is required (My personal opinion is that there is no point in doing something without having the full experience of it, especially if you are young). Then the guy showed me towards the exit.


I reached the OFC at around 3.25 pm and I was out by around 4 pm. In all, I had an excellent experience except had to bear a bit of sun's heat. 
So, for those who have not booked their appointments yet, I would suggest an early morning/late evening timing to avoid the heat.


Please do not hesitate to email me at rprash30@gmail.com or comment to this blog if you need any more information.


Thanks Guys. 


Keep Laughing :D

48 comments:

  1. Thank you so much Prashanth for explaining very well about your experience at OFC. Infact I was not familiar with this term "OFC" and different appointments. Earlier there was only one date for all the visa procedures. So I was confused with this OFC appointment date, but your blogged helped me a lot.

    Thanks for your concern for the humanity. Keep on doing such good works. God bless you (I hope you are theist) .

    Lyju P. Cherian

    Cochin-

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Lyju. All the best.

      Delete
    2. thanks bro,
      I was confuse that I scheduled OFC appointment or U.S. Embassy but now, cleared It is a OFC forbiometric fingerprint and photo collection.

      thanks

      Delete
  2. Thank you very much.
    Your blog is really helpful, I appreciate it a lot.

    Good Luck.

    V

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks buddy ! I was unaware of OFC but not after I read your blog. Would appreciate if you share your visa interview experience too ! the one after OFC :)

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  4. Is it mandatory that we should first book the visa date and then OFC date. but OFC appointment date should precede Visa interview date?

    so first should I book for Visa and the OFC?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After selecting your VISA slot, then comes OFC slot.
      OFC slot date preceeds VISA date but Booking OFC will be done in the process on booking VISA slot.

      Delete
  5. Thanks Prashanth, first blog attempt that too for public welfare....very useful.

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  6. Thats for this,can you also explain about consulate interview

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  7. Thats for this,can you also explain about consulate interview

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  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  9. hi,

    I am going for OFC for H1B visa stamping, Could you please let us know what questions will be asked at OFC ??

    ReplyDelete
  10. This blog was very helpful. Thanks alot. Do we need to bring the DS-2019 form also ?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello Everyone,

    I am from Bangalore and I have my Visa appointment on 11 and 12 Apr 2016 in MUMBAI. Could anyone tell me in how many days I may receive my passport back to Bangalore?

    Regards,
    Abhi

    ReplyDelete
  12. I’m eager to find the valuable information and for

    me this is the right place to get the good stuff.
    usastudentvisa

    ReplyDelete
  13. Do they return the passport

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  14. Do they return the passport

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  15. Tanks a lot. This blog is very helpful…keep it

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  16. Hi - Nice write up! Puts my mind at ease. Thanks. Ive scheduled Mumbai OFC appointment for my wheel-chair bound mother at 0915am and medical exam at 1200 noon. From your blog I'm consoled that the oFC Biometrics process doesnt take more than an hour, so it should give me enough time to get to Rele Clinic at Gamdevi. My question is> Do they retain the passport at OFC after biometrics? Because I need her passport for the medical exam. Thanks in advance for your help.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Prashant for not only responding to my email, but also calling. I'm following up on my reply so others may benefit from my experience, the way i have from Prashant's.
      The biometrics goes without a hitch - seeing a wheelchair bound customer, the gaurds open gates, create special access, put a person on the case and help us right through. Since my mother cannot stand for photo, they bring down the camera. Since her hands are closed in to a fist, finger printing her is troublesome. they do the best and work with sub-optimal prints. Biometrics is a totally hazzle free experience of just 30-45 mins. Kudos to the Franchise.

      Delete
    2. Hi! i have the same question. my ofc appointment is on the 28th of sept and my visa interview is on 11th of october. Do they keep your passport in the ofc appointment till the visa interview is done or do they return it to you. I really need to know because i have a international travel date set on the 29th of sept 2017.
      Thanks !

      Delete
  17. Hi. I have booked appoinment for me and my 1 year old kid for stamping. I am worried how i would handle the interview with my baby. I forgot to opt for drop box facility. Is there any way i can take anyone along with me to take care of my kid when my finger prints would be scanned???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dont worry :-)there is still time before your kid becomes a hyperactive toddler! - you can request someone to hold/ babysit your kid while you get scanned. They are very nice. Dont know how it will go at the interview though. Best luck

      Delete
  18. Thanks for such a nice help.

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  19. Thanks for such a nice help.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. If there is no one else to hold your things you can keep your bag by your side. Phones are held by the security people outside.

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  22. We can submit the phone to security?? No issues in that?

    Regards,
    Nilesh

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  23. from what i remember i did not have to leave the phone with anyone. I had it on my person, in silent mode.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,I had submitted my documents for visa renewal in pune drop box but my application is pending and its showing you must appear for fingerprint verification at consulate in mumbai..I would be going alone..I read that there is no locker facility to keep bag or phone at OFC but there are some roadside stalls shops who keep your belongings in exchange of money? Is it true..do you guys know any particular shop where i can keep my belongings..please help me..I want to visit in this week only..i just read ur comment..so phone is allowed if it is on silent mode? But i read on site that no electronic devices allowed

      Delete
  24. Hi- I am at the VFC, Trade Centre, BKC, Mumbai - again this Sunday. Some things I notice that may help new visitors
    Once you are in, its very comfortable and the service is excellent. But while you wait in line outside remember, especially if elder/coming from outstation
    there is no shade, no place to sit, you stand on the pavement by a busy dusty road, the pavement is broken, there is no water, no shops nearby, the Cafe Coffee Day next door is closed on Sundays.
    If you are going to collect your passport/ documents from the passport collection counters - there is no place to sit, no place to keep your bag while you fish out the documents you need to show. The elderly especially, tend to get very flustered as they are holding bags in hands + have a bag on their shoulders - just going through all your papers to find the one you want and be very harrowing.
    SO if you are elderly/ coming from outstation - just keep only the documents you need in another file before you go to the counter. Carry water and a snack. Dont take kids along if you can help it.
    Also the auto guys are looking to rip you off. And they almost always show bad attitude. Its this thing about - agar aap videsh jaa sakthe hain, tho Auto ka mooh manga paise de sakthe hain. The good thing is is UBER gets to you in minutes :-) incase you want a ride back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have booked my biometrics appointment. Is their any storage facility available to put my backpack and mobile? Is their any specific dress code?

      Delete
  25. are we supposed to take 2 appointments? I am confused and I am filling my in laws form for visa renewal

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  26. Thanks for the nice blog shared good information if you want to know more about immigration process check with
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    ReplyDelete
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  28. Thanks, this is pretty straightforward and helpful. I have an interview for a visiting visa this weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Self an wife /Sr.citizens(Age 70 years ++)from Mumbai(in 2011 have traveled to Canada, Bharain/2012:Oman) intend travelling to USA based on invitation from our Son, H1B visa holder (A professional Ph.D Holder).Self an invalid person (can move about only with the help of a walker). Any concession for us being Senior Citizena) like not much of waiting etc.) yr comments/guidnce would be most appreciatd.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi guys I had submitted my documents for visa renewal in pune drop box but my application is pending and its showing you must appear for fingerprint verification at consulate in mumbai..I would be going alone..I read that there is no locker facility to keep bag or phone at OFC but there are some roadside stalls shops who keep your belongings in exchange of money? Is it true..do you guys know any particular shop where i can keep my belongings..please help me..I want to visit in this week only

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete
  32. thanks but I want to ask I am from Nigeria Africa and I wasn't given schedule appointment for OFC

    ReplyDelete
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