Commission on filipinos overseas

[jacabatic 5]

Hello all,

My case has been completed in NVC and now is being forwarded to the U.S Embassy in Manila, PH

I just need some details about CFO. Can my wife take the class anytime now or does she need to wait until after her interview.?

Anyone who experienced this, i need some info and also if it is required. thanks in advance VJ !!

[pinatubo1 0]

Hello all,

My case has been completed in NVC and now is being forwarded to the U.S Embassy in Manila, PH

I just need some details about CFO. Can my wife take the class anytime now or does she need to wait until after her interview.?

Anyone who experienced this, i need some info and also if it is required. thanks in advance VJ !!

[Rob n Tess 5]

You can do if fist, however you will have to return with the K-1 visa inorder to receive the CFO sticker that is placed in the Visa/passport. I suggest waiting for the K-1 visa and go to St. Mary's for the seminar because they can issue the sticker at the same location! it will take about 4 hours.

[pinatubo1 0]

CFO is required by the Philippine Government, not the U.S. Embassy. You do this after interview. If it is not done she will be denied exit from Philippines. This is something the Philippines started several years ago to make some money off of its people who were going abroad. Many many years ago, they tried to make its citizens pay philippine taxes on all income generated abroad to include include of the foreign spouse. I have close to 40 years experience dealing with the Philippines. Use to live there. CFO is simple and painless (they just want some money from you). They will give you form or sticker inside your passport, this is your proof that you attended. Once you leave the country, you can burn it, frame or whatever. Remember this is a Philippine requirement only. This process is not new to me so if you need to know anything else, please ask. I have done K1 and K3. I have helped many others bring their loved ones to the U.S.

[jacabatic 5]

You can do if fist, however you will have to return with the K-1 visa inorder to receive the CFO sticker that is placed in the Visa/passport. I suggest waiting for the K-1 visa and go to St. Mary's for the seminar because they can issue the sticker at the same location! it will take about 4 hours.

K-1 visa? I am currently under CR-1 visa.

[Wally G! 58]

K-1 visa? I am currently under CR-1 visa.

CFO is required for all Filipinos emigrating to another country with a immigrant VISA (K-1, IR-1/CR-1 Visa, Immigrant Workers (OFW) etc..).

" As Filipinos going abroad as fiancé(e)s, spouses or other partners of foreign nationals, you are required to attend the CFO's guidance and counseling session in order to secure the Guidance and Counseling Certificate (GCC) and the CFO sticker. "

CFO Link - Fiancee, Spouses and Other Partners of Foreign Nationals

Edited August 2, 2012 by Wally G!

[Penguin_ie 5,992]

** Moving from CR-1 to Philippines regional forum as country specific ****

[ginomirelle 0]

you can attend the CFO seminar without visa however you have to be back when you get your visa and passport for them to put the cfo sticker.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hello all,

My case has been completed in NVC and now is being forwarded to the U.S Embassy in Manila, PH

I just need some details about CFO. Can my wife take the class anytime now or does she need to wait until after her interview.?

Anyone who experienced this, i need some info and also if it is required. thanks in advance VJ !!

She can do CFO anytime, don't need to wait until the embassy interview. CFO is required of all leaving the Philippines.

CFO:

ALL exiting required to attend. There are been changed with CFO so for sure read through their website.

http://www.philembassy.no/sites/default/files/downloads/new_gcp_flyer.pdf

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348:fiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140

Required documents & "OTHER DOCUMENTS" they ask for at CFO: copies of; CENOMAR, certified birth certificate, bio page of passport, visa page from passport, pictures together, from USC - bio page of passport, birth certificate, divorce decree (if been married before) are the most common. The "other documents" clause can be ANYTHING with those nit-wits at CFO.

** From the Family Code of the Philippines: it's 21-25 years old for advice and 18-21 years old for consent.

Art. 14. In case either or both of the contracting parties, not having been emancipated by a previous marriage, are between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one, they shall, in addition to the requirements of the preceding articles, exhibit to the local civil registrar, the consent to their marriage of their father, mother, surviving parent or guardian, or persons having legal charge of them, in the order mentioned. Such consent shall be manifested in writing by the interested party, who personally appears before the proper local civil registrar, or in the form of an affidavit made in the presence of two witnesses and attested before any official authorized by law to administer oaths. The personal manifestation shall be recorded in both applications for marriage license, and the affidavit, if one is executed instead, shall be attached to said applications. (61a)

Art. 15. Any contracting party between the age of twenty-one and twenty-five shall be obliged to ask their parents or guardian for advice upon the intended marriage. If they do not obtain such advice, or if it be unfavorable, the marriage license shall not be issued till after three months following the completion of the publication of the application therefor.A sworn statement by the contracting parties to the effect that such advice has been sought,together with the written advice given, if any, shall be attached to the application for marriage license. Should the parents or guardian refuse to give any advice, this fact shall be stated in the sworn statement.

[jacabatic 5]

She can do CFO anytime, don't need to wait until the embassy interview. CFO is required of all leaving the Philippines.

CFO:

ALL exiting required to attend. There are been changed with CFO so for sure read through their website.

http://www.philembassy.no/sites/default/files/downloads/new_gcp_flyer.pdf

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348:fiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140

Required documents & "OTHER DOCUMENTS" they ask for at CFO: copies of; CENOMAR, certified birth certificate, bio page of passport, visa page from passport, pictures together, from USC - bio page of passport, birth certificate, divorce decree (if been married before) are the most common. The "other documents" clause can be ANYTHING with those nit-wits at CFO.

** From the Family Code of the Philippines: it's 21-25 years old for advice and 18-21 years old for consent.

Art. 14. In case either or both of the contracting parties, not having been emancipated by a previous marriage, are between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one, they shall, in addition to the requirements of the preceding articles, exhibit to the local civil registrar, the consent to their marriage of their father, mother, surviving parent or guardian, or persons having legal charge of them, in the order mentioned. Such consent shall be manifested in writing by the interested party, who personally appears before the proper local civil registrar, or in the form of an affidavit made in the presence of two witnesses and attested before any official authorized by law to administer oaths. The personal manifestation shall be recorded in both applications for marriage license, and the affidavit, if one is executed instead, shall be attached to said applications. (61a)

Art. 15. Any contracting party between the age of twenty-one and twenty-five shall be obliged to ask their parents or guardian for advice upon the intended marriage. If they do not obtain such advice, or if it be unfavorable, the marriage license shall not be issued till after three months following the completion of the publication of the application therefor.A sworn statement by the contracting parties to the effect that such advice has been sought,together with the written advice given, if any, shall be attached to the application for marriage license. Should the parents or guardian refuse to give any advice, this fact shall be stated in the sworn statement.

Just to be sure, My wife does not need a CENOMAR (certificate of No Marriage) since we are already married., correct?

[VirtualLee 12]

she needs a CEMAR(certificate of marriage) as a proof of marriage

besides from MC and it will show how many times a person is married,

if just once then GOOD. don't worry everything will be fine..

all she needs to do is go to NSO fill up a CENOMAR pink form and pay

corresponding amount, then it will be release in a couple of days.

better to have one than none to avoid delays

[Mogambi 96]

Just a note about the CFO.

I think it's not ONLY a money making thing. If it was, they wouldn't be such a pain in the ####. I think it's a good thing. Now my fiancé teases me that if i'm not nice to her, she knows who to contact here in the US. All kidding aside, trying to educate Filipino women leaving their home for a new life here isn't a bad thing, especially arming them with knowledge of what to do should they find themselves in an abusive relationship. In as must as the CFO tries to do at least that, I think it's not a horrible thing.

But to the person saying it's a breeze and they just want your money, as if! The CFO can be intense. They asked my fiancé TONS of questions, wanted to know all sorts of things about me, my work address, my mother's maiden name, she had two interviews there, was there most of the day. By far it was more intense than our interview at the embassy which lasted all of 5 minutes. And my fiancé had her visa in hand!

So for whatever reason, that day, they took it all very seriously. It wasn't just 'pay your money and get a sticker'. Far from it.

I would suggest if you're going after your interview, just bring all the paperwork you brought to the interview, with you to the CFO. That way, you'll have it if they want to see anything.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Just to be sure, My wife does not need a CENOMAR (certificate of No Marriage) since we are already married., correct?

You will still need the NSO certificate, only I believe it a CEMAR for married folk. You just fill out the form at NSO they will issue the document that reflects your marital status.

Just a note about the CFO.

I think it's not ONLY a money making thing. If it was, they wouldn't be such a pain in the ####. I think it's a good thing. Now my fiancé teases me that if i'm not nice to her, she knows who to contact here in the US. All kidding aside, trying to educate Filipino women leaving their home for a new life here isn't a bad thing, especially arming them with knowledge of what to do should they find themselves in an abusive relationship. In as must as the CFO tries to do at least that, I think it's not a horrible thing.

But to the person saying it's a breeze and they just want your money, as if! The CFO can be intense. They asked my fiancé TONS of questions, wanted to know all sorts of things about me, my work address, my mother's maiden name, she had two interviews there, was there most of the day. By far it was more intense than our interview at the embassy which lasted all of 5 minutes. And my fiancé had her visa in hand!

So for whatever reason, that day, they took it all very seriously. It wasn't just 'pay your money and get a sticker'. Far from it.

I would suggest if you're going after your interview, just bring all the paperwork you brought to the interview, with you to the CFO. That way, you'll have it if they want to see anything.

Its money and being a total annoying pain in the butt.... last grasp at control before ya leave.

[Psoas10 17]

I think she will have an easy time at the CFO. My wife had an easy time.

[newbster 4]

Just a note about the CFO.

I think it's not ONLY a money making thing. If it was, they wouldn't be such a pain in the ####. I think it's a good thing. Now my fiancé teases me that if i'm not nice to her, she knows who to contact here in the US. All kidding aside, trying to educate Filipino women leaving their home for a new life here isn't a bad thing, especially arming them with knowledge of what to do should they find themselves in an abusive relationship. In as must as the CFO tries to do at least that, I think it's not a horrible thing.

But to the person saying it's a breeze and they just want your money, as if! The CFO can be intense. They asked my fiancé TONS of questions, wanted to know all sorts of things about me, my work address, my mother's maiden name, she had two interviews there, was there most of the day. By far it was more intense than our interview at the embassy which lasted all of 5 minutes. And my fiancé had her visa in hand!

So for whatever reason, that day, they took it all very seriously. It wasn't just 'pay your money and get a sticker'. Far from it.

The idea is good. I agree - it's great to educate Filipinas going abroad about possible dangers and ways to handle situations (who to contact etc) - great idea.

But I think there are 2 other things going on that are just ugly.

The first is the grasping for money - it seems clear to me that money is an objective of the program (although the basic premise as as I said is a good thing).

The second is that the people (nuns I think) who run the seminars have various beliefs and viewpoints that cause them to twist the intent - which is education - into something else. Why should my fiance need to know my mother's maiden name in order to be educated about the dangers of going abroad or how to react if she faces some abuse? This is just one of many questions that I think has no answer if the purpose is just education (and money) - it's the execution of the classes by prejudiced people that is the problem I think. Nuns can be great - everyone loves mother Theresa - but they are human and some have a very narrow view of things as well as severe prejudices.

Just my opinion - it's really too bad that this has to be such a negative experience for people from Phils and their intended spouses. The whole CFO process seems very disorganized, aggressive, unpredictable, and erratic. It should be a positive thing - an educational experience - not a barrier.

Edited August 2, 2012 by newbster