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 happens at the VAC in US visa application process?
, Got my US visiting visa (for 10 years) in the first attempt. Originally Answered: what happens at the VAC in US VIsa application process? This is what you will be directed to do at the Chennai VAC for the US visa application [on May 2018]: The securities will allow you to enter the building based on your appointment time.
What does VAC stand for?
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. VAC Stands for Visa Application Center.
What happens during VAC appointment?
Your biometric information will be captured, including your fingerprints and digital photograph. Eyeglasses and head coverings are not permitted in the photograph except for medical and religious reasons. Your application data will be verified and a sticker will be attached to your passport to serve as a locator.
What is VAC in visa appointment?
Most applicants will be required to have an appointment at an Visa Application Center (VAC) prior to their appointment at the Consular Sections. Biometric information including fingerprints and digital photographs will be collected at the VAC.
What is required for VAC appointment?
Documents Required for the Appointment: Your passport that has an expiration date of at least 6 months beyond the intended period of stay. Your DS-160 confirmation page. Your appointment confirmation page. Visa application Fee receipt.
What is VAC appointment for US visa in India?
You need to register your appointment online and schedule a time to visit the Visa Application Center (VAC) before your visa interview. At the VAC, you will provide fingerprints and take photos.
What is difference between VAC and OFC appointment?
They're two different things and generally take place at two different places and time. In the OFC appointment, one need to provide fingerprints and photograph(taken there). Actual interview take place with a Consular appointed by the Federal government. Yes, you may schedule both and that's the process.
What does it mean application received by VAC?
It means they took a decision for your case.
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.
How can I get U.S. visa appointment fast?
Applying for an Expedited Appointment Pay the visa application fee. Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form. If the Embassy approves your request then you will receive an email alerting you to schedule your expedited appointment online.
How can I book VAC appointment in India?
To schedule an emergency biometric appointment, please do so by calling the VAC Contact Centre or by visiting the VAC in person. You'll have to follow the instructions mentioned on the page to create your own login credentials and schedule an appointment.
Does VAC work on Sunday?
Hours of Operations at the Visa Application Center Monday to Friday – 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. Sunday – 01:00 p.m. to 05:00 p.m.
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.
What is VAC in UK visa application?
When you apply for a UK visa from overseas, in most cases you will need to attend an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC). Once you have submitted your application and attended your VAC appointment, your application will be considered by an Entry Clearance Officer at a decision making centre.
What is DMC and VAC in UK visa?
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 VAC appointment for dropbox?
VAC Stands for Visa Application Center. When you see VAC at the end, it is a confirmation for the user that you are booking an appointment for giving Biometrics at the VAC office before your in-person visa interview.
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:
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.
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.
Is there a security check at Chennai VAC?
There will be a security check. Mobile phones were allowed inside the Chennai VAC, but it should be switched off.
Can a foreign service officer review a visa application?
The first time that a foreign service officer will review your application for a visa will be at the time of your appointment. There is no “pre-review” of applications by anyone in the Foreign Service.
Do you have to submit documents to get a visa?
It is usually the applicants’ duty to submit all necessary documents with a visa application. Officer in no way is responsible to ask for any documents before arriving at a decision.
Does being represented by an attorney mean your visa will be approved?
Just because you are represented by a licensed adviser or an attorney does not necessarily mean your visa will be approved. But such representations help because they help submitting all the necessary documents required under the rules/law.
How far in advance do you have to make an appointment for a visa interview?
You will take an VAC appointment after you take the appointment for a U.S. visa interview at the embassy/consulate. The VAC appointment must be at least one day in advance of the consular appointment.
Do you have to appear at the VAC?
You must appear in person for an appointment at the VAC. Bring the following documents with you:
Is there an additional fee for VAC?
There is no additional fee for VAC appointment as the visa fee already includes the VAC service.
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.
