What is the best time of the day to go PRISM/CFO

[B_J 2,752]

Can I ask why? I don't know much about the CFO seminar, and my fiancée was planning on attending the one in Cebu since it's on her island, and because I was under the impression that you had to have your visa prior to the seminar. So, she was just going to attend that when she got back home. Was it a bad experience? Also, is it REALLY mandatory? I never found anything on the embassy website about it. The first I heard about it was on VJ.

Thanks

I'm pretty sure it's mandatory... here's a quote:

Philippine law requires all departing Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad to attend the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). Only emigrants aged 12 years and younger are exempted from attending the PDOS. Although this is not a U.S. Government requirement, we do make this information available to all fiancé(e) and immigrant visa applicants. An information sheet regarding the CFO/PDOS seminar is attached to a visa packet to ensure that applicants are aware of this requirement.

Here's a link

[Tahoma 2,292]

Can I ask why? I don't know much about the CFO seminar, and my fiancée was planning on attending the one in Cebu since it's on her island, and because I was under the impression that you had to have your visa prior to the seminar. So, she was just going to attend that when she got back home. Was it a bad experience? Also, is it REALLY mandatory? I never found anything on the embassy website about it. The first I heard about it was on VJ.

Thanks

Your sweetie won't be allowed to board the plane to the U.S. without a CFO sticker in her passport.

She does not need a visa in order to complete the CFO seminar. She can complete the seminar and, once she has her visa, she can return for the sticker.

One VJer recently reported that the CFO seminar in Cebu can be a pain. Make sure that she takes all the K-1 documents with her because you never know what they are going to ask her to submit. You could start a new thread about the Cebu CFO and maybe get some better responses.

[RVIANE♛ 5]

this CFO thing should be PINNED!!

[marriedtomrg 141]

For fiancees and spouse of US citizens, they are required to complete a guidance counseling requirement, which may be done through CFO, PRISM or St. Mary's (SMEF-COW).

This guidance counseling requirement supercedes the PDOS (meaning, once you've had guidance counseling, you don't need to attend PDOS anymore). You don't need a visa for this, either. Some members, like myself, have attended the guidance counseling session without a visa. You just return to the place you attended the counseling (CFO, PRISM or SMEF-COW) to secure the CFO sticker after your visa (K1, K3, IR1 or CR1) has been issued.

Kids 12 years old and younger are exempted from PDOS, however they must be registered at CFO (through CFO, PRISM or SMEF-COW), and kids 12 years old and above must complete a Peer Counseling requirement.

I'm pretty sure it's mandatory... here's a quote:

Philippine law requires all departing Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad to attend the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). Only emigrants aged 12 years and younger are exempted from attending the PDOS. Although this is not a U.S. Government requirement, we do make this information available to all fiancé(e) and immigrant visa applicants. An information sheet regarding the CFO/PDOS seminar is attached to a visa packet to ensure that applicants are aware of this requirement.

Here's a link

[Faith & Andz 3]

Thanks for all the responses and the link showing the requirement. I did some more research and based on the posts, we're just gonna plan on her going to PRISM while she waits for the interview and then go to the Cebu CFO office to complete the registration once she has her visa in hand.

Thanks again!

[ivantulier 1]

Whats the best time for my wife to go in the morining or the afternoon were she get in with no problem since its first come bases. thanks

Well my wife went on Monday to PRISM which should be called something else than that they way they act their. She arrived at 10:00am and did not get out of their till 3:00pm which is a lot of stress for something like this. If those who fiance or wives are going tell them to be strong with them since they scare methods. If those have been divorce before make sure they have orginal divorce papers and the reason why you got divorce in the first place. My wife stated that one girl did not know why her fiance got divorce so they diened her CFO and she had her plane ticket and visa in hand. Also those who are married bring evdience of your wedding pictures also because they asked that of my wife in which she always carries a picture of our wedding with her always. So I guess hit or miss on who you get when have your one on one interview. It seems they like to be like the Embassy and ask all the personal questions so I told my wife that now she knows what she has to say in her interview when the time comes. She all most got deined because they question my divorce papers in which has no logic because if the Civil Registry accepted my divorce papers with no problems why should the be any different. I wonder what logic they have in their heads at times. So I suggest if any one is planing having their visa done and their married do this early to get cleared ahead so their are no issues after you have your visa.

[Messybrownhair 251]

I told you. PRISM is horrible and the way they use scare tactics is pathetic. Especially the stout and possibly gay man who does the introductions. the counselors were not bad, they were nice. but the facilities are horrible, and they charged an insane amount for their lousy hand-outs. I also don't see why they have a right to deny it especially to those who already have their visas which means they already passed the arduous task with the USEM. If only I had recorded all the stuff that dude said.

But anyway, congrats!!

[ivantulier 1]

I told you. PRISM is horrible and the way they use scare tactics is pathetic. Especially the stout and possibly gay man who does the introductions. the counselors were not bad, they were nice. but the facilities are horrible, and they charged an insane amount for their lousy hand-outs. I also don't see why they have a right to deny it especially to those who already have their visas which means they already passed the arduous task with the USEM. If only I had recorded all the stuff that dude said.

But anyway, congrats!!

Well it was the only close to were my wife lives so realy not much choice in that matter. I told her she can manage that she is able to manage what comes when she goes to her interview.

[Messybrownhair 251]

she will do just fine! congrats you are so close to the finish line!

[ivantulier 1]

she will do just fine! congrats you are so close to the finish line!

Really its just the start I just sent our application. She had to do this because its requierment to be able to change her passport to her married name. So its good she did so she does nothing to worry after she gets her visa all she has to do is get her sticker and leave.

[ivantulier 1]

I have a question. Does the Embassy check peoples account in the philippines when they are interviewed?

[marriedtomrg 141]

Which account are you referring to?

I have a question. Does the Embassy check peoples account in the philippines when they are interviewed?

[ivantulier 1]

Which account are you referring to?

My wife open an account when she was at the PRISM and she has an joint account with me in the philippines. Will this be an issue in her interview or does the embassy look into this also?

[marriedtomrg 141]

I don't see why that would be an issue...was there a particular concern you had with it?

My wife open an account when she was at the PRISM and she has an joint account with me in the philippines. Will this be an issue in her interview or does the embassy look into this also?

[ivantulier 1]

I don't see why that would be an issue...was there a particular concern you had with it?

Well you know the government the nitpick at everything so I want to be sure of this issue and have questioned.