CFO EXIT SEMINAR

[wizzard1663 0]

Maria just passed her interview, got the Pink Slip, and we took care of things at the Air 21 counter. I thought that was all we needed to do, but a friend I met on VJ who has been through the process emailed me today mentioning we needed to complete the CFO Exit Seminar. I emailed him back asking what in the world that is, but I might not hear from him again for a week or more. Can anyone help with information on what Tom was referring to. He said her Passport needs to be stamped after she attends this CFO Exit Inerview.

Thanks,

Carl and Maria

[gennyangel 3]

yes your fiance(e) need the CFO seminar and sticker to show in the airport. They wont allow her to board the plane without it. It is an SOP.

[wizzard1663 0]

Thanks for the reply, and also thanks to those who messaged us about it privately.

I hope many people end up reading this, because it is an absolute astonishment that I found out about this by accident; yet, my Fiance can't leave her country without it. So in other words we go through a long one year of agony with the I 129F in USCIS Vermont, NVC in New Hampshire, and Embassy Interview in Manila. We are lucky enough to get a Pink Slip and ultimate Visa. Then she would be blocked from joining me because of a procedure no one knows about except the few who somehow learn of it. I sent an email to a guy I met here on VJ telling him of our good fortune in the interview, and he luckily replied and mentioned the Exit Seminar. No one in the Embassy mentioned it, the USCIS info doesnt refer to it, nor does the NVC info. Just incredible, but at least I found out in time before we showed up at the gate for our flights.

Good luck to all as you plow through the process of approval.

Carl and Maria

yes your fiance(e) need the CFO seminar and sticker to show in the airport. They wont allow her to board the plane without it. It is an SOP.

[Nik+Heather 121]

I bet they talk about it in the Philippines forum... Yep, here it is mentioned in a handy stickied thread. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=129059

Googling "Philippines CFO" yields:

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/counseling.htm

Lots of links and an explanation of what it is.

Guidance and Counseling Services

Per Republic Act 8239 and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Order 28-94, Filipinos proceeding abroad as fiancé(e)s and spouses of foreign nationals are required to attend the CFO's guidance and counseling programs as a pre-requisite to the issuance of passports.

The objective of this program is to help Filipino fiancé(e)s and spouses of foreign nationals make informed decisions regarding their marriage to foreign nationals and to prepare them for their adjustments in cross-cultural marriages.

Among others, Filipino fiancé(e)s and spouses are provided with the following information:

* Migration laws affecting them;

* Welfare and support services available abroad;

* Rights of migrants overseas; and

* Coping up with problematic or difficult domestic situations.

Edited June 13, 2009 by Nik+Heather