Do you need an appointment for a VAC appointment?
Visa Application Center (VAC) Appointment for a U.S. Visa. Most applicants will be required to schedule an appointment at a Visa Application Center (VAC) before their U.S. visa interview at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. Some applicants may require only a VAC appointment and need not visit the consulate for an interview in person.
How do I schedule an appointment for a US visa interview?
Most applicants must schedule an appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC) before their interview at the U.S. Embassy. Applicants will have their biometric information, including their fingerprints and digital photograph, registered at the VAC.
What is a visa application Centre (VAC)?
What is a Visa Application Centre (VAC)? VACs have been established to provide administrative support to the Embassy/Consulate for the successful submission of applications for all temporary resident categories (visitor visas, study and work permits). What type of visa do I require? The type of visa you require depends on the purpose of your trip.
Do you have to go to the VAC for a visa?
Applicants will have their biometric information, including their fingerprints and digital photograph, registered at the VAC. Visa applicants should personally attend their VAC and U.S. Embassy interviews unless they fall in one of the exempted categories.
What happens at VAC appointment?
Once you are at the VAC, the guards will point you toward a queue. Keep your passport and DS-160 confirmation page ready. Someone will check those documents and let you inside. Once you are inside the building, you must empty the contents of your pockets, hand over your bags, and get scanned for any metal.
What does VAC mean in US visa?
the Visa Application CenterBut have you heard of the Visa Application Center (the “VAC”)? All applicants for Immigrant Visas must first visit the VAC prior to their interviews at the embassy. The VAC is located in Galleria 360 mall in Santo Domingo, and that's where you will go to have your fingerprints and photo taken.
What is required for VAC appointment?
Your appointment at the VAC should be quick and simple. You'll need to present a passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States, your DS-160 (application) confirmation page and your appointment confirmation page.
What is VAC vs OFC appointment?
But according to the new rules, prior to your interview at the Consulate or Embassy, you are required to give the Biometrics information that includes fingerprints and photograph at one of the five Visa Application Center (VAC). The Visa Application Center are also known as Offsite Facilitation Centers (OFC).
How much is the VAC visa to USA?
The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is US$160. This includes tourist, business, student, and exchange visas.
Is OFC appointment different from visa interview?
First of all, there is no visa interview at the OFC center. Here, you have to show your documents, Passport, copy of your OFC appointment, and DS-160 confirmation. Step 2: Once you reach the center, you need to wait for your turn. Step 3: When you are called, your fingers will be scanned.
Does VAC take photo?
At the centre, you will also need to submit your fingerprints and photograph. This is known as biometric information collection. A digital finger scanner collects images of all 10 digits, and you will have a digital photo taken.
How can I get US visa appointment early?
You will need to provide proof of the need for an earlier appointment. In all cases: You must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment.
Is OFC appointment same as Dropbox?
In general, you need to apply for Biometrics & US Visa Interview appointments, if you need to get a US visa stamping on your passport. Since Sep 2019, US Consulates in India introduced appointments for US Visa stampings using the Interview Waiver option, popularly called Dropbox.
Can I book only OFC appointment?
Yes you can. There is no compulsion to select a particular interview location. The guidance just recommends you to to a location nearest to you. You can not only choose any of the locations but later if you change your mind you can even reschedule your appointment.
How can I check visa slots availability?
Give your Access Code (received in the signup) in the extension. Log in to CGI portal from the browser you installed the extension. Navigate to schedule appointment on the visa portal.
How many times I can reschedule US visa appointment?
twiceRestrictions to Changing Appointments Applicants are only allowed to reschedule twice (not including the initial appointment) without penalty. If the second rescheduling attempt is canceled, an applicant will only be allowed to reschedule a new date after a waiting period of 90 days.
What is VAC and DMC?
VAC, Visa Application Center, is the place where you submitted your biometrics. DMC is Decision Making Center. They receive your application from VAC and decide the outcome of the visa application. Finally, they send back your application to VAC and you collect your passport back.
What is the full form of VAC?
Vac is an abbreviation for ' vacuum cleaner'.
Is Dropbox a VAC?
Having VAC can mean Dropbox Appointment as well It will no longer show 'IW' for dropbox appointment bookings. We do not know the specific reason for this change, but many users were able to drop off documents and even get visa stamping done after they booked the slot using the VAC in the dropdown.
Can VAC and interview be in different locations?
Hi! It is totally possible to do that. In fact, I recently gave my OFC at Hyderabad and the interview in Chennai and got my passport back within 5 business days. The process was very smooth.
How long does a passport need to be valid for VAC?
Your appointment at the VAC should be quick and simple. You’ll need to present a passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States, your DS-160 (application) confirmation page and your appointment confirmation page. Your biometric information will be captured, including your fingerprints ...
What are not allowed in the VAC?
The following items are not allowed in the VAC: Electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablets, food or drink, large bags, cigarettes or lighters, sharp objects, aerosols and weapons. These same security rules apply at the Embassy.
Can you bring a portable music player into the VAC?
You are not allowed to enter the VAC while carrying any of the following items: Battery-operated or electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, digital watches, pagers, cameras, video recorders, audio/video cassettes, compact discs, MP3s, radios, floppy disks, laptops, or portable music players.
Can you enter the VAC without a security check?
Every person who enters the VAC is subject to a security inspection. You are not allowed to enter the VAC while carrying any of the following items:
Before Nov 28th, 2021 – Dropbox Appointment Booking had IW
When you apply for US Visa Renewal using the dropbox option, as part of the appointment booking screen to drop off documents, it used to look like in the below screenshot. It used to show the page heading as “ Schedule OFC Appointment “ and the dropdown to select interview location used to say ‘ IW ‘ at the end.
US Visa Biometrics Appointment Booking Screen has VAC
When you book an in-person US Visa appointment, the first step is to book a biometrics appointment. When you are booking the biometrics appointment, on the booking screen you would see VAC at the end of the consulate name as you can see in the below screenshot.
Confusion – Dropbox Appointment Booking shows VAC
Starting from Nov 28th, 2021, the US Visa Dropbox appointment booking screen started to show VAC on the appointment booking screen dropdown, instead of IW. It looks like in the below screenshot. This is the source of big confusion to many. Many are not sure if they are booking a Biometrics appointment or Dropbox appointment.
Having VAC can mean Dropbox Appointment as well
Based on many users’ experiences in the past 10 days or so and also confirmation from USTravelDocs Customer Support, it is confirmed that Dropbox or Interview Waiver Appointment booking screen would also show ‘ VAC ‘ for the last few letters at the “ Select Interview Location ” dropdown, next to the consulate name.
How to verify, if you booked Dropbox Appointment with VAC in dropbox ?
There are a few things you can check to make sure you are booking or have booked a dropbox appointment
Where is the VAC located?
The VAC is located in Galleria 360 mall in Santo Domingo, and that’s where you will go to have your fingerprints and photo taken. To schedule an appointment at the VAC, please visit the website: www.ustraveldocs.com . Remember to bring your DS-160/DS-260 confirmation sheet and your passport to your VAC appointment.
Where to apply for a visa in Santo Domingo?
Many residents of Santo Domingo know where the United States Embassy is, and where to apply for a visa. But have you heard of the Visa Application Center (the “VAC”)? All applicants for Immigrant Visas must first visit the VAC prior to their interviews at the embassy. The VAC is located in Galleria 360 mall in Santo Domingo, and that’s where you will go to have your fingerprints and photo taken. To schedule an appointment at the VAC, please visit the website: www.ustraveldocs.com . Remember to bring your DS-160/DS-260 confirmation sheet and your passport to your VAC appointment. Once you have completed the VAC visit, make sure you have these and all other appropriate documentation prior to your interview at the embassy.
What documents are needed for an immigrant visa?
Documentation requirements are more extensive for Immigrant Visas. An Immigrant Visa applicant needs to include a birth certificate to verify their own identity, so that their case can proceed. Each Immigrant visa is associated with an employment- or family-based petition, so these relationships need to be verified at your visa interview. Bring birth certificates and any marriage or divorce certificates that you have. Family-based visas require affidavits of support from the petitioning family member as well.
When should I apply for the visa?
Most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days before your date of travel.
What type of visa do I require?
The type of visa you require depends on the purpose of your trip. To get accurate information on visa categories, please visit the visa services website of the country you wish to travel to, that you can access via vfsglobal.com.
Can I reschedule my appointment?
Of course, you can reschedule your appointment for a future date (up to a maximum of two times). If you are late or have missed your appointment on the scheduled day, you will be required to book a new appointment after 24 hours.
What color is VAC appointment?
Overall Instructions for Appointment. If there are any VAC dates available, they will be shown in dark blue on the calendar. If you see any dates in dark blue, click on that date, and you will see the available appointment slots below the calendar. Light blue dates are not clickable.
Can you click on a blue date at the VAC?
Light blue dates are not clickable. Check the appointment time you would like, and hit “Continue”. Irrespective of the location of the consulate for your interview, you can choose any of the VAC locations. However, most people will choose the VAC location in the same city as the consular appointment city. If there is more than one applicant in the ...
How to contact the VAC in India?
Or you can call one of the call centers: Callers in India: Call +91 120 6602222 or +91 22 67209400. Callers in the United States: Call 1-310- 616- 5424. You should plan ahead for this appointment. You cannot have the appointments with the VAC and the consulate on the same day.
Do you need a digital photo of your face for a VAC appointment?
In addition to the fingerprints, the officer will take a digital photo of your face for their records. Children under 7 are required to bring a hard copy, not a digital copy of their photograph. In addition to the photograph in the DS-160 form, this photograph is taken as a proof that you were present in person for the VAC appointment. At your interview at the consulate, the consular officer will refer to this photograph during your interview.
How to apply for a nonimmigrant visa?
To schedule a nonimmigrant visa appointment, you must have the following information and documents available: 1 A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions. If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application; 2 Your visa application (MRV) fee payment receipt; 3 Your DS-160 confirmation page; 4 Your e-mail address; and 5 If applicable, required documents based on visa class (such as a petition approval for petition-based visas; more information about visa types and information about each can be found here ).
How long does a passport last for a nonimmigrant visa?
To schedule a nonimmigrant visa appointment, you must have the following information and documents available: A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions.
How to use this step-by-step guide?
There are two websites for scheduling US visa appointments. Which website to use depends on the country where you plan to schedule your visa appointment
PART 1: Schedule US visa appointment in Asia, Central America, parts of Europe, Africa and the Middle East
Determine the country where you plan to schedule your US visa appointment. If the country is in the below list, continue with instructions here from PART 1. If not GO TO PART 2.
PART 2: Schedule US visa appointment in North and South America, parts of Europe, Africa and the Middle East
Determine the country where you plan to schedule your US visa appointment. If the country is in the below list, continue with instructions here in PART 2. If not, GO BACK TO PART 1.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If need to travel to the US urgently, you may qualify for an expedited US visa appointment. Keep in mind that you must have a strong reason and must be able to provide documentary evidence to prove it.
CONCLUSION
That’s it, folks! Follow this step-by-step guide to schedule US visa appointment. If you have any questions or stuck at any step, feel free to comment here or email me.
