Mandatory CFO Seminar for Filipino Emigrants

[SJG 30]

To ALL Filipinos leaving the country on a K1, K3, CR-1 or IR-1 visa:

Please be reminded that in order to leave the country, we are REQUIRED by the Philippine Government to attend the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) guidance and counseling session. It's a half-day seminar held daily on 2 locations in Metro Manila: the St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation-Center for Overseas Workers in QC or the People's Reform Initiative for Social Mobilization, Inc. in Taft Ave, Manila; there's also one office in Cebu at Causing-Lozada Building, Osmeña Boulevard corner

MJ Cuenco Street, Cebu City. Please check this link for the complete info.

Yesterday, I went to St. Mary Euphrasia office located inside the Good Shepherd Convent in QC (LANDMARK: adjacent to St. Bridgette School, beside the LRT2 Katipunan, across PSBA and Sta Clara Convent.) I was there at around 7am, registration begins at 7:30am and the first session starts at 8:30am. Registration fee is 200 pesos.

The first part of the seminar discusses Domestic Violence at length and how spouses can seek protection if (heaven forbid) one of us fall into the hand of an abusive partner. This lasts from 8:30am - 10am.

The second part comes right after. It's a group and one-on-one counselling where you will be advised on how to proceed with the immigration processing once you land in America. If you have other concerns, may it be personal or document-related this is the right time to ask. Counselling session for the 8:30 batch ends at 12 noon and the counselors will issue you a CFO Certificate of Attendance, which you need to photocopy after.

After lunch, I went to the CFO Office at the 2nd floor and submitted the photocopy of my attendance certificate and the duly-accomplished CFO form (which you can download at the CFO website: www.cfo.gov.ph). You will have to pay 400 pesos for them to issue you with another certificate and a sticker which they attach to your passport. Without the sticker and the certificate, you will be stopped by the Immigration Officer at NAIA and will not be allowed to fly out.

You would also be provided with pamphlets and reading materials about the Philippine Consulate and Embassies in the United States, as well as the contact details of CFO Offices. Make sure you read them because they are very, very useful!

If you have other questions, let me know.

[dirtsquirter 7]

thanks for the info!

[RenCor 2]

:star: Thanks

[SJG 30]

no prob.. to everyone sending me private messages re: this topic, pls bear if i cannot respond quickly enough. kindly click the link and check the CFO website for their location and contact numbers. (www.cfo.gov.ph)

[reginakrys 33]

I don't think this is posted anywhere on the NVC site. Glad to have come across this here. Anyway, is the certificate of attendance good for a certain period of time? Can I attend the seminar even if we're still waiting for the NOA2?

[iwuvcheshert 6]

I don't think this is posted anywhere on the NVC site. Glad to have come across this here. Anyway, is the certificate of attendance good for a certain period of time? Can I attend the seminar even if we're still waiting for the NOA2?

the CFO exit emigrant seminar is country specific, you may attend the seminar even if ur waiting for ur NOA2. I had to, since i renewed my passport with my married name, and since my husband is naturalized USC, the DFA needs it for their record...please refer tocfo website for more info