What does “There are currently no appointments available. OFC” means? The US embassy has established an Offsite Facilitation Center to expedite the processing of visa applications. Find out the real reasons why there are no appointments available for you at the moment and what you can do to get your Visa.
If no appointments are now available, know that it’s due to Covid limits, cramped schedules, or directives from above. You must check the website daily to see if any new openings have arisen. Email the Embassy or Consulate and describe the circumstance in case of a true emergency.
What Does OFC Mean In Visa Appointment?
OFC is an appointment center that focuses on processing Visa solicitations for citizens that want to travel to the US, mostly for work. Learn how this progress works here!
Definition
The US embassy has established an Offsite Facilitation Center to expedite the processing of visa applications (OFC). Before their US visa interview, candidates provide their biometric fingerprints and visa pictures here. To visit the OFC facility, you must make an appointment. The DS-160 confirmation sheet is stamped after providing biometrics and a picture. At the time of the visa interview at the consulate, applicants must provide their passport and the stamped DS-160 form.
What do you need for OFC appointment?
- Passport: Bring your prior passports together with your current one.
- Appointment Confirmation Copy: A printed copy of the Appointment Confirmation is required. To access the OFC facility, you must have a copy of the Appointment Confirmation Page.
- DS-160 confirmation: To attend the OFC center, you must also have a printed copy of the DS-160 confirmation page with you. You will not be able to access the center until you have this.
OFC appointment available but consular appointment not available
In certain countries, applying for a US tourist visa needs two appointments: one for biometrics (called an OFC appointment) and another for your visa interview (called a consular appointment). These two visits must be scheduled within 15 days of each other.
Suppose you can acquire an OFC appointment, but no consular appointments are available within 15 days of the OFC. In that case, you will be shown the notice below.
OFC and consular appointment gap
An OFC and a visa interview cannot be booked on the same day. You can, however, select any combination of OFC and Consular appointments available in their system, with no minimum or maximum gap.
There Are Currently No Appointments Available. Please Press The Back Button And Choose A New OFC Appointment Date.
Find out what this means and how you should act to overcome this issue with the US Embassy.
There Are Currently No Appointments Available
The message is self-explanatory. There is no appointment available at the moment, whether it’s because of Covid restrictions or orders from above, depending on the country of residence. For example, the US and Hong Kong were having trouble with the Visa application due to many unstable political activities and movements. So you must pay attention to the real-time situation in your country where you solicit a Visa.
Us Visa There Are Currently No Appointments Available
The OFC rules apply to US visas only. So the explanation remains the same as what we provided above. It depends on the political situation between the two countries at the moment.
Schedule OFC Appointment No Appointments Available
You must visit the website daily to see if any new spots have become available. Email the Embassy or Consulate and describe the situation in a real emergency. Then, an appointment is sometimes granted. It is important to note that simply because you bought a non-refundable airfare or tour package and may not receive your Visa in time will not be deemed an emergency.
There Are Currently No Appointments Available. OFC
In such circumstances, you will return to update your OFC appointment date to determine whether there is a corresponding consular appointment. Check frequently to see if there is a vacancy pops up. It can take more than a few days for it to appear.
There Are Currently No Appointments Available. Dropbox
Since September 2019, US Consulates in India have been scheduling appointments for US Visa stampings via the Interview Waiver option, often known as Dropbox. On June 9th, 2022, the US Embassy stated that the processing period for dropbox stamping might range from 3 to 4 weeks.
Suppose there is no slot available for you. In that case, it means that the Embassy is currently dealing with too many solicitudes, so they won’t be able to process more at the moment. Even if you are qualified for an interview, no slot means no slot. You should recheck the website frequently in case slots open up, but it can easily take days, even months, or more for a vacant schedule.
There Are Currently No Appointments Available H1B
The H1B visa is a work visa for non-immigrant that permits firms in the United States to recruit foreign employees for specialist positions that need a bachelor’s degree or higher. This can include jobs in IT, finance, engineering, architecture, and other disciplines.
If there are no appointments available for your H1B Visa application, it means that the US Embassy in your country is processing too many Visa applications and can’t accept more at the moment.
FAQs
Is OFC appointment needed for Dropbox?
There is no need to schedule an appointment for Dropbox submittal. Instead, you may go to the Dropbox center whenever you want and submit your papers for processing.
Can VAC and consular appointment be on the same day?
A VAC appointment and a consular interview cannot be booked on the same day. Therefore, it must be planned at least one day ahead of time.
What is the difference between OFC appointment and consular appointment?
They are two distinct events normally occurring at two locations and times. are When you go to an OFC appointment, they will require fingerprints and a picture of your face, which will be taken at the facility. The actual interview is conducted with a Consular nominated by the federal government.
Helen J. Whiteaker is a journalist with ten years of experience in many fields. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and has worked in print and online media. She has written for several major publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Huffington Post. She has also been a contributor to several lifestyle and travel magazines.
In her work, Helen has always strived to provide accurate and fair coverage of the topics. Whether writing about the latest trends in home decorating or reporting on an important news story, Helen is dedicated to her craft and delivering the best possible information to her readers.
Helen was one of the first people to join ThisIsGuernsey and laid the foundation for the development of TIG. Currently, she holds the position of Editor in Chief, responsible for training and testing writers and coordinating with other departments to bring the best articles to readers.