US Visa Appointment for Indians: Schedule US Visa Interview

Scheduling a US visa appointment is hard. The wait time in India for a US visitor visa appointment is almost a year! However, this is a mandatory step when applying for a US tourist visa.

In this blog, I explain how to shorten the wait time and look at different ways to book a US visa appointment from India.

How to get an expedited US visa appointment?

Atlys provides an expedited US visa appointment date to help you get your visa faster. An Atlys concierge will assist in scheduling your appointment and ensure your documents are correct.

Included:

• You can directly message a visa expert on WhatsApp.

• You'll receive step-by-step guidance through every step.

• You'll get a visa appointment within a guaranteed time frame. If not, you get your money back.

How does it work?

1. 1

   Start the process on the Atlys.

2. 2

   Submit your personal information.

3. 3

   Wait for our visa expert to call or message you.

4. 4

   Work with our visa expert to get everything ready for your visa appointment.

5. 5

   Receive a visa appointment date within the guaranteed time frame, or get your money back.

Process to schedule a US visa appointment by yourself

There are 2 different appointments that you must attend during the tourist visa application process:

1. 1

   Biometric appointment: You must attend an appointment where you provide your biometrics information. This includes your fingerprints and visa photo. You must first attend your biometrics appointment before scheduling a visa interview. The biometrics appointment is called the Offsite Facilitation Centre appointment, or OCF appointment for short.

2. 2

   Visa interview appointment: The purpose of the USA visa interview is for officials to assess your visa application and ensure you are eligible to apply for a US visa. Officials will review your documents and ask a few questions regarding your trip.

Documents required per visa appointment

Documents required for your OFC visa appointment

• A printed copy of your appointment letter.

• Your DS 160 confirmation page.

• Onevisa photographwas taken within the last six months.

• Your current passport for your biometric appointment.

• If you are renewing your visa, you must bring your previous passport that contains your US Visa from India.

Note that visa categories A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, C-3, and NATO applicants are exempted from the fingerprint scan requirement.

Documents to present during your US visa interview

• The visa application fee payment receipt number.

• The DS 160 confirmation page.

• Confirmation page from the Form DS-260 Application for an Immigrant Visa email address.

• Your original birth certificate and a photocopy.

In addition to the documents above, you must submit supporting documents to prove the purpose of your trip and that you will return to India.

Scheduling your US visa appointments

How to schedule your OFC visa appointment?

You need to schedule your biometrics appointment first before scheduling your visa interview. You can follow these steps:

1. 1

   Create a password on theonline portal.

2. 2

   Complete theNon-Immigrant visa application, also known as DS 160.

3. 3

   Complete all the fields required for the application process.

4. 4

   Make the payment.

5. 5

   Check on the dashboard whether you require a biometrics appointment.

6. 6

   Once the "Schedule a Biometrics Appointment" tab is visible, you must click on it and make your appointment.

You must use your application receipt number (provided after payment) to schedule your OFC appointment.

How to schedule your US visa interview?

Once you have reviewed and submitted your US visitor visa application and paid the visa fee, you can schedule your visa appointment.

1. 1

   Head back to theOnline Portal.

2. 2

   Login to the portal with your sign-in credentials.

3. 3

   If you have not already scheduled your appointment, select schedule an appointment.

4. 4

   Provide the necessary details during the application. Be sure to check your details before continuing.

5. 5

   At the end of scheduling your appointment, you can email yourself the appointment confirmation, or you can print it out.

6. 6

   You MUST save this document safely, as you will need the proof when going for your visa interview in India.

Additional information

What should you expect during the OFC visa appointment?

After scheduling your OFC appointment, you must visit one of the OFC centres in the following cities:

• Mumbai

• New Delhi

• Hyderabad

• Chennai

• Kolkata

Officials will collect your biometrics information on the day of your OFC appointment. Only after you have submitted your biometrics information can you proceed to your US visa interview.

You will not be required to make any payments during this stage.

What should you expect during the OFC visa appointment?

During your visa interview, officials will:

1. 1

   Check that you meet the visa requirements.

2. 2

   That your application and documents are correct.

3. 3

   Ask a few questions regarding your trip.

The US embassy needs assurance that you'll return to India after your visit based on strong ties. Your visa application may be denied if they suspect you plan to stay in the US permanently.

Use your support documents to indicate the purpose of your trip and reassure officials that you will return to India.