OFC and VAC: the support appointment
OFC means Offsite Facilitation Center, while VAC means Visa Application Center. The label varies by location and scheduling provider, but this appointment commonly handles a photograph, fingerprints, or document intake rather than the visa interview itself.
Follow the instructions for the exact post where you apply. Required documents, appointment order, permitted locations, and interview-waiver procedures are country-specific.
Consular appointment: the interview
The consular appointment is the interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. A consular officer reviews the application and determines whether the applicant qualifies under the relevant visa rules.
The Department of State explains that appointment procedures vary by embassy or consulate, so always verify local instructions on the official embassy or consulate website.
Why the portal may show two calendars
In a two-appointment workflow, selecting an OFC or VAC date can move you to a second calendar for the consular interview. Because the pages look similar, applicants sometimes believe the first booking failed.
Read the heading on each page and the final confirmation carefully. A complete appointment should list every required step for every applicant in the group.
The temporary hold between appointments
The portal may temporarily hold the first selection while you search for the connected appointment. Community reports most commonly describe a window of about 45 minutes, but countdowns differ and the scheduling system can change them, so rely on the timer shown in your account rather than an old screenshot or article.
If you cannot find the second appointment, read OFC booked but no consular slots before navigating away.
Before you submit
- Confirm the appointment type named at the top of the page.
- Check the city, date, and time for both OFC/VAC and consular steps when both are required.
- Verify that every dependent or group member appears on the confirmation.
- Save the confirmation page and use the local post's instructions for documents and arrival times.
Key takeaways
- OFC and VAC generally refer to biometrics or application-support services, not the visa interview.
- The consular appointment is the interview with a consular officer.
- Some applicants must complete two connected scheduling steps.
- Use the timer and headings displayed in your portal because workflow details can vary by country and provider.
- A final confirmation should show every required appointment and applicant.