bringing USC fiance' to CFO seminar

[tonylovesam 8]

Hello again ka-VJ! I want to have my CFO seminar done somewhere next month during my and my fiance's vacation. I will do it whether in Manila or Cebu. Is it too early yet to have it done? We will not make appointment yet for the K1 visa interview, will schedule interview appointment in due time.

And by the way, can I bring my fiance' to that seminar even if he will just be sitting beside me and wait for the session to be finished? I am also planning to bring our 9 months old baby in that seminar. Does the CFO people allow it? What other documents should I bring aside from those listed on the site?

[Kish.2328 9]

Hello! I dont know much about CFO seminar since I am still waiting for our NOA2 but I heard from friends experiences where they attended the seminar without any NOA2 but just brought along the necessary documents that are needed. They were just given this slip or whatever it is after the seminar and got their sticker when their visa finally arrived.

[yhang 20]

It is best to just attend the seminar when you have your visa in hand. You can attend now as well, however, you will still need to go back when you have your visa in your hand so they can put the sticker in your passport. So, to save time, energy, and money it's best to just go there when you have the actual visa.

They won't let you have your husband and child inside the seminar room. There is a waiting area and they can wait there. I dunno with PRISM but with the other one, the waiting area is outside the place itself - so hot.

Hope that helps.

[tonylovesam 8]

It is best to just attend the seminar when you have your visa in hand. You can attend now as well, however, you will still need to go back when you have your visa in your hand so they can put the sticker in your passport. So, to save time, energy, and money it's best to just go there when you have the actual visa.

They won't let you have your husband and child inside the seminar room. There is a waiting area and they can wait there. I dunno with PRISM but with the other one, the waiting area is outside the place itself - so hot.

Hope that helps.

Oh thank you for that suggestion, it helps!

[hope.andsun 7]

I was wondering this as well too because my fiance will be here next week and I was planning to have the CFO seminar. Also, I thought they would allow it because it would be enough proof for them that we are truly serious in the relationship because I heard that they ask for really weird documents and stuff. I wish they would allow my fiance, since he is a USC anyway, but oh well.

[Scott and Mhay 57]

From what I have read, they dont allow anyone but the individual needing the seminar in there. I would think it would help to show them (CFO) that the relationship is real and if there were any questions, they could ask your fiance directly. Like it has been stated before, the CFO is a racket...just another way to get more money.

My wife did her CFO right after her embassy interview and she told me that they asked more questions at the CFO seminar than at the visa interview. I would recommend to bring everything you are planning to take to the interview to the CFO seminar though. They wanted to see my divorce decree (USC's) there at the CFO (PRISM)...I dont feel that was any of their business. The embassy and USCIS can request that, but of what use was it to them other than to fill my wife's head with ideas and doubts?

Anyway, good luck with the seminar. It is up to you if you will do it before the visa, but my wife did it before she did her visa just to knock it out while she was in manila. Make sure that if you do it before you get your visa, you have a copy of your passport bio data page.

[gretchen_darren 67]

FOr the CFO, parents are expected if age requirements are met as if a philippine wedding. Please also note fiancee is not permitted in the building during this time. The fiancee can wait outside the building, but expect to be monitored by local authorities. (this is not only for your protection, but if the signal is given inside, the fiancee will be arrested.) And according to the accounts I have read, and people talked to recently going through the CFO, have ALL papers you will be using at the embassy with you. You do not know what documents they will wish to examine. Also, expect to have one on one time as well. I cannot say what or how they choose certain people to interview deeper then others. The CFO is inexpensive compared to other things, but the CFO is interested in protecting the Filipino citizens. The CFO approach is from the standpoint the "outsider may be a bad person". The CFO is not the approach of the embassy where is the relationship real, and genuine. The CFO is trying to talk you out of leaving the Philippines, the question they ask, are you absolutely sure you are ready to go live in another country? Are you absolutely sure your spouse will take care of you? How well do you know him? (there are rumors they do a background check on the foreign fiancee/spouse to see if they can find anything. )

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

Hello again ka-VJ! I want to have my CFO seminar done somewhere next month during my and my fiance's vacation. I will do it whether in Manila or Cebu. Is it too early yet to have it done? We will not make appointment yet for the K1 visa interview, will schedule interview appointment in due time.

And by the way, can I bring my fiance' to that seminar even if he will just be sitting beside me and wait for the session to be finished? I am also planning to bring our 9 months old baby in that seminar. Does the CFO people allow it? What other documents should I bring aside from those listed on the site?

You can have your CFO seminar done either before or after the the interview, your choice.

You can bring your faince with you but, he won't be allowed to get inside. Again, your choice...

Good Luck!

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

(there are rumors they do a background check on the foreign fiancee/spouse to see if they can find anything. )

That's crazy!

[George & Gina 29]

FOr the CFO, parents are expected if age requirements are met as if a philippine wedding. Please also note fiancee is not permitted in the building during this time. The fiancee can wait outside the building, but expect to be monitored by local authorities. (this is not only for your protection, but if the signal is given inside, the fiancee will be arrested.) And according to the accounts I have read, and people talked to recently going through the CFO, have ALL papers you will be using at the embassy with you. You do not know what documents they will wish to examine. Also, expect to have one on one time as well. I cannot say what or how they choose certain people to interview deeper then others. The CFO is inexpensive compared to other things, but the CFO is interested in protecting the Filipino citizens. The CFO approach is from the standpoint the "outsider may be a bad person". The CFO is not the approach of the embassy where is the relationship real, and genuine. The CFO is trying to talk you out of leaving the Philippines, the question they ask, are you absolutely sure you are ready to go live in another country? Are you absolutely sure your spouse will take care of you? How well do you know him? (there are rumors they do a background check on the foreign fiancee/spouse to see if they can find anything. )

Conspiracy theorist?

[m60man 5]

Hello again ka-VJ! I want to have my CFO seminar done somewhere next month during my and my fiance's vacation. I will do it whether in Manila or Cebu. Is it too early yet to have it done? We will not make appointment yet for the K1 visa interview, will schedule interview appointment in due time.

And by the way, can I bring my fiance' to that seminar even if he will just be sitting beside me and wait for the session to be finished? I am also planning to bring our 9 months old baby in that seminar. Does the CFO people allow it? What other documents should I bring aside from those listed on the site?

First of all, No he can not sit in with you. Second, why would you want to subject your man to that? Its an all day process and the whole idea is to find out what you know about him and establish a real relationship. Also they will inform you of your rights as well. You must know him and the answers to their questions. This seminar is required for travel abroad a well as application for a passport in your married name. You may take this seminar before you visa interview, I personally would recommend it. One less thing to do when your Visa is approved. Bare in mind you will have to go to DFA with your visa and CFO Certificate with your passport to get a stamp in it for travel abroard. Good Luck.

[m60man 5]

FOr the CFO, parents are expected if age requirements are met as if a philippine wedding. Please also note fiancee is not permitted in the building during this time. The fiancee can wait outside the building, but expect to be monitored by local authorities. (this is not only for your protection, but if the signal is given inside, the fiancee will be arrested.) And according to the accounts I have read, and people talked to recently going through the CFO, have ALL papers you will be using at the embassy with you. You do not know what documents they will wish to examine. Also, expect to have one on one time as well. I cannot say what or how they choose certain people to interview deeper then others. The CFO is inexpensive compared to other things, but the CFO is interested in protecting the Filipino citizens. The CFO approach is from the standpoint the "outsider may be a bad person". The CFO is not the approach of the embassy where is the relationship real, and genuine. The CFO is trying to talk you out of leaving the Philippines, the question they ask, are you absolutely sure you are ready to go live in another country? Are you absolutely sure your spouse will take care of you? How well do you know him? (there are rumors they do a background check on the foreign fiancee/spouse to see if they can find anything. )

Half of the above is BS.....they are only wanting to make sure you are aware of the rights you have and the rights you have in the country you are traveling to. They want to make sure you know the person you are in a relationship with. They will ask you questions about his previous marriages, childrens names, maybe ex's name, why they got a divorce and what he does for a living. They will want to see a original final divorce decree if he's been married before. There is no way in hell they can or will do a background check on him. This is the Philippines and they can not and do not have the technology to do that in one day. Your answers to their questions is what they base their asumptions on. If you really know him and his past then you have nothing to worry about.

[m60man 5]

FOr the CFO, parents are expected if age requirements are met as if a philippine wedding. Please also note fiancee is not permitted in the building during this time. The fiancee can wait outside the building, but expect to be monitored by local authorities. (this is not only for your protection, but if the signal is given inside, the fiancee will be arrested.) And according to the accounts I have read, and people talked to recently going through the CFO, have ALL papers you will be using at the embassy with you. You do not know what documents they will wish to examine. Also, expect to have one on one time as well. I cannot say what or how they choose certain people to interview deeper then others. The CFO is inexpensive compared to other things, but the CFO is interested in protecting the Filipino citizens. The CFO approach is from the standpoint the "outsider may be a bad person". The CFO is not the approach of the embassy where is the relationship real, and genuine. The CFO is trying to talk you out of leaving the Philippines, the question they ask, are you absolutely sure you are ready to go live in another country? Are you absolutely sure your spouse will take care of you? How well do you know him? (there are rumors they do a background check on the foreign fiancee/spouse to see if they can find anything. )

[m60man 5]

FOr the CFO, parents are expected if age requirements are met as if a philippine wedding. Please also note fiancee is not permitted in the building during this time. The fiancee can wait outside the building, but expect to be monitored by local authorities. (this is not only for your protection, but if the signal is given inside, the fiancee will be arrested.) And according to the accounts I have read, and people talked to recently going through the CFO, have ALL papers you will be using at the embassy with you. You do not know what documents they will wish to examine. Also, expect to have one on one time as well. I cannot say what or how they choose certain people to interview deeper then others. The CFO is inexpensive compared to other things, but the CFO is interested in protecting the Filipino citizens. The CFO approach is from the standpoint the "outsider may be a bad person". The CFO is not the approach of the embassy where is the relationship real, and genuine. The CFO is trying to talk you out of leaving the Philippines, the question they ask, are you absolutely sure you are ready to go live in another country? Are you absolutely sure your spouse will take care of you? How well do you know him? (there are rumors they do a background check on the foreign fiancee/spouse to see if they can find anything. )

I do not mean to rain on your parade. But I was just looking at your time line.......Lucky for you I'm not the one looking over your paper work. Let alone the eyes of the Philippine bureaucrats. I can see where you may run into some problems, either here or there. You may find that your relationship comes under some scrutiny because of the time line itself. Hopefully it will work out for you. But one thing I can tell you is that you really need to look a bit deeper into the culture and understand the people here. As one USC to another, and this one has lived here over 2 years, do your homework and alway think with the right head. Good Luck.

[JeWcHee 3]

I do not mean to rain on your parade. But I was just looking at your time line.......Lucky for you I'm not the one looking over your paper work. Let alone the eyes of the Philippine bureaucrats. I can see where you may run into some problems, either here or there. You may find that your relationship comes under some scrutiny because of the time line itself. Hopefully it will work out for you. But one thing I can tell you is that you really need to look a bit deeper into the culture and understand the people here. As one USC to another, and this one has lived here over 2 years, do your homework and alway think with the right head. Good Luck.

******

Very well said man!