One Week in Manila

[Kris & Liezl 3]

Thats what my Fiance is going to do.Get her CFO in Cebu cause she is in the province there.

Great! Cebu is closer! She is in the province of Negros Oriental. So that's "next door"! How can I find where in Cebu?

[analou scott 8]

my wife says its on mango ave. she googled it and it even has the phone no.

[Richie Rich 70]

We've run into a hiccup with her birth certificate. Hopefully if we can get that cleared up this month, and her passport, then we'll schedule an interview for probably June or July. Everything is depending on this birth certificate issue right now...

Wow so you're sending close to $1000 just for expenses? Hmmm, so I guess Manila is more expensive.

Kris --I am just covering all my bases if any additional expenses comes up . And yes --manila is more expensive --they charge you more for everything . Besides my fiancee will use the extra money to prepare for the trip to the USA later.

[amerisian 5]

From those who have been there and done that, I would greatly appreciate some scheduling advice...

I plan to send my fiance to Manila for about a week (her father may accompany her, as she has never been out of the Visayas or even her island for the most part). So in 1 week, she needs to get her Medical exam done, go do the CFO thing, and an Interview. Is it even possible?

How long is the medical exam? I cant tell if it is 2 or 3 days.

How long is the CFO thing?

How long is the interview process? A half day, a full day?

I was thinking: Mon-Tues (Medical), Wed (CFO), and Thurs or Fri (Interview), with 1 day or so to explore Manila.

Or did another schedule work better for you?

Also...

How much money should I budget for this? Her father has a little money, but not much. And she did not sign a contract to teach another year, so her budget is drying up. They're actually very conservative with money, which is good. I just don't know what cost of living is in Manila...

(Please don't include fees for medical, CFO, and interview in your estimates - I think I know those already).

Very sweet.

I am from Mindanao too. I did my CFO in Cebu. I booked for a cheap hotel near DFA, Cebu. I preferred Cebu because people speak Bisaya and less crowded (compare to Manila).

My husband sent me $200. It includes my plane ticket back and forth, hotel stay, CFO seminar, food, misc fee, etc.

The seminar held at SMEF-COW, 1 ride on a jeepney from DFA, CFO Cebu and from the hotel where I stayed. The seminar registration started at 8:00 am. I supposedly finished with my CFO transaction about 3:00 pm but I waited for a friend that I met in the seminar to go together at CFO Cebu to pick up our certificate.

But, if she already have an interview schedule and want everything to be done accordingly (Medical, CFO, interview), I guess, better to get it all in Manila. I am planning to have my medical a week before my interview. Not just sure about the budget for Manila.

God bless you both.

[amerisian 5]

Great! Cebu is closer! She is in the province of Negros Oriental. So that's "next door"! How can I find where in Cebu?

The time I attended CFO, I traveled from Mindanao but now I stay in Iloilo, so we are neighbors. As for the fare, she can travel from Dumaguete if she is from Negros Oriental to Cebu in a ferry (http://oceanjet.net/ - check this link for ferry schedule and fare ) and the pier that the ferry will dock from Dumaguete is nearer to CFO Cebu compare from the airport and it's cheaper( Taxis from airport will cost you another hundred of pesos). But if you prefer to have her on the plane, try to check Cebu Pacific as they have promos (www.cebupacificair.com).

Check this link for more info about CFO Cebu - CFO Cebu guidelines and requirements also step by step procedure for CFO Seminar in Cebu

Hope it helps. God bless

[Mizzou_82 0]

when im doing my medical it takes only 1 day, she can go there around 1pm so she cannot wait in a long lane, and only few people go there in the afternoon, but hope your fiancee dont have menstrual period when she go for medical so that it takes only 1 day and give her vaccine in same day also. and if you are in k1 visa wait until she will be approved for interview at US embassy in manila before she get her CFO seminar and sticker. that is the last thing to do before she fly here in the US. she can do her cfo seminar to get certificate but she cannot get stiker until she's approve and the best day to go at the CFO is tuesday because there's only few people and its takes only 3 hours in there. dont go there monday because there's too many people:) really crowded inside in one room. i been there tuesday and we are only 5 people going to US so its easy really easy for us that day not really crowded and it takes only few hours there. and the best thing to do to get her interview thru online appointment its takes aminute compare by calling phone at the embassy.

[new1 2]

Very sweet.

I am from Mindanao too. I did my CFO in Cebu. I booked for a cheap hotel near DFA, Cebu. I preferred Cebu because people speak Bisaya and less crowded (compare to Manila).

My husband sent me $200. It includes my plane ticket back and forth, hotel stay, CFO seminar, food, misc fee, etc.

The seminar held at SMEF-COW, 1 ride on a jeepney from DFA, CFO Cebu and from the hotel where I stayed. The seminar registration started at 8:00 am. I supposedly finished with my CFO transaction about 3:00 pm but I waited for a friend that I met in the seminar to go together at CFO Cebu to pick up our certificate.

But, if she already have an interview schedule and want everything to be done accordingly (Medical, CFO, interview), I guess, better to get it all in Manila. I am planning to have my medical a week before my interview. Not just sure about the budget for Manila.

God bless you both.

hi! which hotel did you stay in? was it nice ba? might stay there for my CFO..thanks..

[gretchen_darren 67]

great discussion. I know my noa2 is just around the corner in another couple of weeks. Been looking at studying everything.

I have taken the time while waiting for NOA2 for my fiance to get her TB/HepB and other shots as needed. this way in going to the St Lukes medical, she should pass with no problems. The TB shot is 800php ($18US plus the checkup) The cost of the TB shot far outweighs any issues at St. Lukes.

I am budgeting $7,000 US for the Manila trip. this inlcudes: my trip to Mindinao. flying 4 people to manila. (me, my fiance, and her parents.), two rooms in the ermita district with breakfast buffet, pan pacific and sofitel are the most expensive, $300 transportation, food, shopping each day, the most expensive buffet meal is $45 per person at spiral restaurant.) Please note the baywalk area is more "americanized/EU" impacted then the rest of manila. A cheap hotel room there is around $50 US and the taxes are around $300 US. there are cheaper hotels the further you get from ermita district but then the taxi fares go up per kilometer. (taxis in manila charge by Kilometer, they are not flat rate.) Please note, I am spending money x 4 people which means 2 couples, 2 hotel rooms. I hope to save $1800 -$2500 on the trip (hotel and food but I am budgeting high)

Please note the whole reason I am going is because none of the family has been to a major city like Cebu or Manila. Also, I am taking her parents because it is required at the CFO, and at the embassy. Please note the age requirements apply to fiance visas as if you were marrying in the Philippines. Normally, under 23 one of the parents must attend the CFO guidance and counseling session plus be in attendance at the embassy.

Please note St. Luke's gives you the option to hold onto your passport so you can complete the CFO course in case you do not have two valid photo id's. However, at the embassy you must turn in your passport for the visa process.

Please note the CFO guidance and counseling session CAN be done without a passport. The person needs two valid photo id's (voter, postal, school, driver's license all work.) Information is updated on website. The classes according to CFO are now first come first served. Also, please note you CAN register at the CFO NAIA desk in manila PROVIDED you have already COMPLETED the guidance and counseling session with certificate of completion of the course. The Filipino/Filipina must also show the certificate of course completion at Customs in NAIA-manila with the CFO sticker, Valid passport, and Visa when embarking to the departure area after check-in.

See this link: http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348%3Afiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140&Itemid=833

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1301:registration-and-pre-departure-services&catid=110:frequently-asked-questions&Itemid=858

the schedule I have is: cost: $5,000 to $7,000 (depends on hotel, food, shopping, I could save $3,000 by not going. In taking them via plane, I get to know if she gets airsick, before a long flight. they do not get carsick or seasick so am hoping.)

Wednesday: Fly to Mindanao

Friday: arrive in Mindanao/ spend evening in village, go over forms finish final checks

Saturday: finish issues, stay in hotel near airport.

Sunday: afternoon fly from Mindanao arrive in Manila, lunch @ jollibee in airport, check into hotel, Shop @ Robinson Mall - Dinner @TGI Friday's

Monday: morning medical/ Lunch @ mcdonalds/ afternoon CFO/ evening relax @ Robinson mall - Roasters

Tuesday: morning medical/ Lunch @ burger King / afternoon @ Rizal Park/ evening dinner @ Sanbashi Japanese Restaurant / relax - Ocean Park Musical fountain

Wednesday: morning /relax/ Lunch @ hooters, afternoon-evening shopping @ SM Mall - dinner @ Aristocrat

Thursday: morning - interview? / lunch@chowking, afternoon-evening - shopping@ SM Mall - celebrate @ advocafe or spiral

Friday: checkout - fly to village

Saturday: relax at village

Sunday: leave village, Fly home, wait for visa to come to fiance.

then when visa comes: cost for two people: $5,500 US (flights: $3,500, hotel: $300, food: $500, transport: $500, shopping:$1,000)

Wednesday: fly to Mindanao

Friday: arrive in Village, stay in village

Saturday - Tuesday: packing, shopping. final chance at clothes for her.

Wednesday: Fly home with fiance from Mindanao.

[sunandmoon 450]

I am taking her parents because it is required at the CFO, and at the embassy. Please note the age requirements apply to fiance visas as if you were marrying in the Philippines. Normally, under 23 one of the parents must attend the CFO guidance and counseling session plus be in attendance at the embassy.

not true. also for CFO I believe only a letter ...applicants aged 18 to 21 must have written parental consent. Applicants aged 22 to 24 must have received parental advice. they are not required to attend the seminar.

Edited May 16, 2011 by sunandmoon

[gretchen_darren 67]

There was a write up I read on the CFO. The personnel can ask for additional documents as they see fit. Also, the guidance counselor can withhold the certificate of completion if they want the parent to show up and confirm assent. there are basic rules. but this is the Philippines, they can add to the requirements if they want to. Just expect them to make changes. My fiance is petite and very tiny. When they find out she is from Mindanao, I expect problems. I am planning for the worst, but hoping for the best. somewhere in the middle is where things will happen. There are many, many girls wanting foreign husbands in the village. Her parents attending will help in giving information to the rest of the village.

Also, because of her age, the embassy can require her parents there as well. It is not something to tread lightly when it is the last steps before coming to the USA. this one week makes a lifetime difference.

[hope.andsun 7]

Wow! I didn't know that they would take your passport after the medical, and you will get it when they issue the visa? That's new news to me. So, it is best to take the seminar before the medical and interview?

[sunandmoon 450]

Wow! I didn't know that they would take your passport after the medical, and you will get it when they issue the visa? That's new news to me. So, it is best to take the seminar before the medical and interview?

your passport is delivered to you after the interview with visa in your passport. you can take the seminar before the interview, but they will not but the sticker in it until you have your visa. after you have you passport with visa, you'll need to go back to CFO for the sticker.

Edited May 17, 2011 by sunandmoon

[hope.andsun 7]

your passport is delivered to you after the interview with visa in your passport. you can take the seminar before the interview, but they will not but the sticker in it until you have your visa. after you have you passport with visa, you'll need to go back to CFO for the sticker.

Okay! Is it wise to take the CFO seminar already even before the medical and interview? Is that allowed?

[sunandmoon 450]

Okay! Is it wise to take the CFO seminar already even before the medical and interview? Is that allowed?

yes, you can take the seminar before medical. just depends on what is most convenient for you.

[gretchen_darren 67]

you can take the CFO at any time. It seems to work much better IF you take it BEFORE the medical and embassy interview. The counselors feel better that you are more informed on things. At least that is what I am hearing from those who are traveling to US. the family I am involved in:I am bringing a niece of the family. One girl has her parents traveling in a few weeks, and the aunt has two brothers traveling in a month, plus the daughter hopefully in a year or two. I am involved in a while new section of the family in the village. But it is like a section of the village is already here in my town.

Once you take the CFO guidance session, when you leave the Philippines, you can stop at the CFO desk in NAIA and get your sticker showing the certificate (looks like a green check). You do not have to go to the CFO office unless you want to. the key is to have two valid id's for the guidance class. If you want the certificate and the sticker at the same time, that is only at cebu. In manila, you go to the center, then to the CFO main office.

from the CFO face book site: CFO's extension desk is located in all 3 terminals of NAIA.

(the last I heard the extensions desk hours at 6 am to 11 pm - airport hours - but not confirmed recently.)

Just know the CFO is ONLY part where the Philippine government really can exercise control. EXPECT additional requirements at times. Sometimes it goes smoothly. But in my case where my fiance IS significantly younger then me, I expect massive problems.