Philippine Visa Requirement

[Sheriff Uling 3]

EVERYONE

I know that the beneficiary is required to attended the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Pre-Departure Registration and Orientation Seminar (PDOS) post the receipt of the VISA. BUT are they also required to attend the guidance and counseling program at St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation-Center for Overseas Workers (SMEF-COW) or the People's Reform Initiative for Social Mobilization Inc. (PRISM), which can be taken before the visa interview?

My apologies for the simple question, but I just have not read a straight forward answer anywhere!

Uling

NOTE: This question is for Manila Embassy folks. Please advise!

Edited August 9, 2006 by Uling

[Audrey&Romy 0]

I attended the CFO Seminar over a month ago at SMEF-COW in Aurora boulevard. I am not sure but from what I know you can also take the seminar at PRISM Taft Avenue also. Your fiance can attend the seminar even before the interview, and just get the certificate. After US Embassy issues her visa, she can go back there, present the certificate and get the CFO sticker. It costs PHP 250.00 for the seminar and another PHP 250.00 for the CFO sticker.

Audrey

[Rob and Melinda 0]

Hey can you please explain what you are talking about?

My wife Melinda in in the Philippines and we are awaiting the approval of our K-3 visa or that Our approved I-130 makes it to the Embassy in Manilla.

Does my wife have to attend some kind of semminar now to get her interview approved by the Manila Embassy?

Rob and Melinda

[Audrey&Romy 0]

Hey can you please explain what you are talking about?

My wife Melinda in in the Philippines and we are awaiting the approval of our K-3 visa or that Our approved I-130 makes it to the Embassy in Manilla.

Does my wife have to attend some kind of semminar now to get her interview approved by the Manila Embassy?

Rob and Melinda

The CFO certificate/sticker is required by the Philippine government before leaving the Philippines on a K or CR1 visa. You can attend the seminar before or after the US embassy interview.

Audrey

[gobdogman 0]

The CFO is a required course for all philippine citizens leaving the country.

There is 2 differant courses one for spouses and finacees and one for immigrants for work and education.

My fiancee did hers in cebu and it was a nightmare. She did the course and the 1 on 1 counceling and then they give her very hard time with documents needed. It took her 2 differant trips and she being 19 needed her parents to go there with her which was a major nightmare because she originally went there with her mom and they said they needed a paper signed by her father also. So instead of her going back to her province and getting the papers from a lawyer and notorized she had her father travel to cebu and go there in person and even then they still give her a hard time until her father break bad and started getting a bit loud and then finally they give her the certificate.

From what i understand anyone under the age 25 will need special affidavit from both parents stating they approve of her taking the course and they approve of the marriage and it will need to be done ata special lawyer not a public lawyer.

My fiancee had one from the lawyer in her province but the CFO office wouldnt accept it so she had to get it from a lawyer there in cebu and thats why her father had to travel there and sign.

It can be done at any time and it also says it needs to be done as prerequisite of getting a passport for fiancee's.

Here is a link to the CFO website -------> http://www.cfo.gov.ph/

The course is basically trying to inform philippine citizens of the problems they can encounter abroad and they actually try to convince the people they are making a big mistake and they will not be happy marrying a foriegner.

Edited August 9, 2006 by gobdogman

[Dean iWait 0]

The CFO is a required course for all philippine citizens leaving the country.

There is 2 differant courses one for spouses and finacees and one for immigrants for work and education.

My fiancee did hers in cebu and it was a nightmare. She did the course and the 1 on 1 counceling and then they give her very hard time with documents needed. It took her 2 differant trips and she being 19 needed her parents to go there with her which was a major nightmare because she originally went there with her mom and they said they needed a paper signed by her father also. So instead of her going back to her province and getting the papers from a lawyer and notorized she had her father travel to cebu and go there in person and even then they still give her a hard time until her father break bad and started getting a bit loud and then finally they give her the certificate.

From what i understand anyone under the age 25 will need special affidavit from both parents stating they approve of her taking the course and they approve of the marriage and it will need to be done ata special lawyer not a public lawyer.

My fiancee had one from the lawyer in her province but the CFO office wouldnt accept it so she had to get it from a lawyer there in cebu and thats why her father had to travel there and sign.

It can be done at any time and it also says it needs to be done as prerequisite of getting a passport for fiancee's.

Here is a link to the CFO website -------> http://www.cfo.gov.ph/

The course is basically trying to inform philippine citizens of the problems they can encounter abroad and they actually try to convince the people they are making a big mistake and they will not be happy marrying a foriegner.

My fiancee is 21 and I was expecting her mom and dad to have to sign a letter giving permission. I didn't realize it would be this complicated. Do you know how to find one of these special lawyers? She lives on Mindanao and I'm guessing she might have to travel to CDO or Butuan.

[gobdogman 0]

I am not sure about the type of lawyer but i know that they have to be able to authorize signatures so i am not sure if that means to be a notary or what.

The lawyer in her province was a city lawyer from the local govt. and they wouldnt accept his affidavit for some reason, I dont know could be they just in with the lawyer in cebu and getting percentage of the fees because i know they charged her 1500 peso ($30) for 2 papers and thats pretty steep for copying 2 papers and notorizing them.

Edited August 9, 2006 by gobdogman

[Richard&Maria 0]

Hello,

I have an additional question. I am aware of the Philippine seminar for departing fiance/spouse. What about dependent children (K-2 visa)? There will be a 13-year-old and a soon to be 16-year old also. Must they also attend and/or is it a package deal or each are separate? Any first hand experiences out there?

Thanks.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

EVERYONE - The CFO returned my email confirming that K1 Visa beneficiaries only attend the Guidance and Counseling Program at St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation-Center for Overseas Workers (SMEF-COW) or the People's Reform Initiative for Social Mobilization Inc. (PRISM). Below is the content of the email:

Dear Mr. Uling:

We refer to your e-mail of 5 August 2006. We wish to inform you that your fiancée is required to attend the Commission on Filipinos Overseas guidance and counseling program (GCP). This program is presently being administered by the St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation-Center for Overseas Workers (SMEF-COW) and the People’s Reform Initiative for Social Mobilization, Inc. (PRISM). We also wish to clarify that your fiancée is not required to attend the pre-departure orientation seminar...

Best regards...

Abigaill N. Laguador (sgd)

Senior Emigrant Services Officer

Richard&Maria - You can email the CFO at cfomieo@info.com.ph. They tend to take around three to five business to respond.