US Visa Appointment India 2026: VAC (OFC) Biometrics vs Consular Interview - The 2-Slot Rule Explained

In 2026, applying for a US nonimmigrant visa from India typically requires two separate appointments: the VAC (Visa Application Center) for biometrics (commonly still called OFC) and the Consular interview at a US Embassy or Consulate.

With the migration to the usvisascheduling.com portal and stricter eligibility rules, finding two matching slots manually is nearly impossible.

Key Takeaways for 2026

• Two Appointments Required: Most applicants need a VAC biometrics slot + Consular interview slot.
• Order is Mandatory: VAC biometrics must be completed before the consular interview (usually at least 1 day prior).
• The Challenge: The portal often shows availability for one but not the other, causing a "booking deadlock."
• The Solution: Use VisaApt to monitor Consular and VAC slots simultaneously across different cities to find a working combination.

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Table of Contents

1. Current US Visa Wait Times in India (2026)
2. What is the VAC (OFC) Biometrics Appointment?
3. What is the Consular Interview Appointment?
4. The Booking "Gridlock" on the New Portal
5. The Smart Way: Solving the 2-Slot Puzzle with VisaApt
6. Booking Strategies: Same City vs Different Cities
7. Step-by-Step: How to Book Correctly
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Current US Visa Wait Times in India (2026)

As of early 2026, nonimmigrant visa interview wait times in India remain long due to high demand and the 2025 reduction in "Dropbox" eligibility.

• Visitor (B1/B2): Ranges from 3–8 months depending on the consulate.
• Student (F/M/J): Seasonal availability; usually prioritized before semester starts.
• Work (H/L): Moderate backlog due to recent vetting changes.

Always check the official U.S. Department of State wait times page. However, official times are averages—cancellations happen every minute.

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What is the VAC (OFC) Biometrics Appointment?

The biometrics appointment is officially called VAC (Visa Application Center), though most Indian applicants still refer to it as OFC (Offsite Facilitation Center).

• Purpose: Identity verification and data collection.
• What happens:
  • Digital photograph taken (no glasses allowed).
  • 10-fingerprint scan.
  • Verification of DS-160 and passport.
• Duration: Fast (10–20 minutes).
• Important: This is not an interview. You will not be asked about your purpose of travel.

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What is the Consular Interview Appointment?

This is the decisive step.

• Purpose: To prove you qualify for the visa under US law.
• What happens: You stand at a window and speak with a US Consular Officer. They will ask about your job, finances, and intent to return to India.
• Outcome:
  • Approved: Passport kept for stamping.
  • Refused: Passport returned immediately.
• Locations: Only at the 5 US Consular posts (Embassy/Consulates).

Rule: You cannot enter the Consulate for your interview if you have not completed your VAC appointment.

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The Booking "Gridlock" on the New Portal

On the new usvisascheduling.com portal, booking two slots is the biggest frustration for applicants.

1. The Matching Problem: The system requires you to secure both slots to confirm the appointment.
2. The Deadlock: You might find an available VAC date, but when you click "Next," there are no Consular dates available.
3. The Risk: You cannot "hold" the VAC slot while waiting for the Consular slot. You lose both.

Manual checking is inefficient because you cannot see the second calendar until you select a date on the first one. By the time you check, the slots are gone.

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The Smart Way: Solving the 2-Slot Puzzle with VisaApt

This is where VisaApt becomes your essential tool. Instead of blindly clicking through calendars, let our system do the heavy lifting.

How VisaApt Fixes the Gridlock:

1. Consular Slot Priority: We know that the Consular Interview slot is the "bottleneck" (hardest to find). VisaApt monitors these slots 24/7.
2. Instant Alerts: We notify you immediately when a Consular slot opens in your preferred city (or any city).
3. Strategic Booking: Once you secure the difficult Consular slot via our alert, finding a preceding VAC slot is much easier, as VACs have higher capacity.
4. Cross-City Monitoring: We scan all 5 locations simultaneously. We might find a combination like "VAC in Chennai + Interview in Hyderabad" that you would never have found manually.

Stop fighting the portal. Get 2-Slot Alerts with VisaApt.

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Booking Strategies: Same City vs Different Cities

A major flexibility rule: VAC and Consular appointments do NOT have to be in the same city.

Option 1: Same City (Convenient but Harder)

• Example: VAC in Mumbai (Sunday) → Interview in Mumbai (Monday).
• Pros: One trip, less cost.
• Cons: Extremely hard to book. You need matching availability in the same city during the same week.

Option 2: Different Cities (Faster Availability)

• Example: VAC in Chennai → Fly to Hyderabad for the Interview.
• Pros: Dramatically increases your chances. You can pick any available VAC slot to unlock the interview calendar.
• Cons: Flight costs and logistics.

Pro Tip: Use VisaApt to check availability in "less popular" hubs for your interview, then book your VAC wherever it's convenient.

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Step-by-Step: How to Book Correctly

1. Complete DS-160: Submit the form online.
2. Register: Create an account on the official portal usvisascheduling.com.
3. Pay Fees: Pay the MRV fee. It may take up to 24 hours to activate.
4. Wait for Alert: Do not refresh the page aimlessly (risk of ban). Wait for a VisaApt notification.
5. Schedule:
   • Log in immediately.
   • Select the Consular date found by the alert.
   • Select a VAC date chronologically before that.
6. Confirm: Submit to get your Appointment Confirmation Letter.

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VAC and Consular Locations in India

For Interview appointments, you must use one of the 5 main locations for both steps.

The 5 Main Hubs (Have both VAC and Consulate):

• New Delhi
• Mumbai
• Chennai
• Hyderabad
• Kolkata

Note: Centers in Pune, Bangalore, Chandigarh, etc., are primarily Drop-off locations. Do not travel there expecting to do your VAC appointment for an interview case.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can VAC and consular appointments be on the same day? No. The system usually requires at least 1 day gap.

2. What website do I use to book? Use usvisascheduling.com. Do not use the old ustraveldocs login.

3. Does VisaApt book the slot for me? No. Auto-booking bots are banned and dangerous for your account. VisaApt is a safe monitoring tool that alerts you so you can book manually and legally.

4. What if I miss my VAC appointment? You will be denied entry to the Consular interview. You must reschedule both appointments.

5. How do I find slots faster? Manual searching is limited by viewing restrictions. Sign up for VisaApt to monitor the entire country's inventory in real-time.