CFO - Seminar in Manila, Sticker in Cebu...possible?

[JNC 1]

Hi everyone,

With all the upcoming issues with the CFO in mid-September, I'm getting a little worried and would like to make every day a productive one.

My Fiancee will be doing her Medical at St. Luke's on Monday, August 20th and our Interview at the Embassy is scheduled for that Friday, August 24th.

Assuming all goes well on Monday & Tuesday at the Medical, could she go do the CFO Seminar in Manila on Wednesday or Thursday and then do her Interview on Friday......returning to Cebu that weekend, wait two weeks for her Visa and then go get her "magical sticker" at the CFO office in Cebu?

Does anyone think this will work or see any problems with it?

Thanks for the input.

J

[TnJ 131]

According to the CFO website, it will NOT be a problem.

Important Notes:

The CFO and SMEF-COW have offices in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. Visit the offices where it is most convenient.

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

[Thomas&Cleofe 358]

I don't see why it would be a problem as long as you have the receipt of attendance.

[JNC 1]

A light bulb just went off in my tiny brain....

We've got a few weeks before she departs for Manila, so she should just do the CFO Seminar NOW in Cebu and return to their office once she has her Visa, approximately 30 days from now; right?

Duh.....lol.

Any concerns of the CFO Seminar Certificate "expiring" while waiting for the Medical, Interview and 2GO to deliver the Visa???

J

[Thomas&Cleofe 358]

I certainly hope it won't expire....My wife took her CFO councelling 6 months ago and she wont get her visa for about another 4 months.

[Rob&Ema 12]

A light bulb just went off in my tiny brain....

We've got a few weeks before she departs for Manila, so she should just do the CFO Seminar NOW in Cebu and return to their office once she has her Visa, approximately 30 days from now; right?

Duh.....lol.

Any concerns of the CFO Seminar Certificate "expiring" while waiting for the Medical, Interview and 2GO to deliver the Visa???

J

Ema just took her seminar on the 1st, her med is the 6th and interview the 16th. You should be fine doing it. I posted about what was asked of her.

[TnJ 131]

A light bulb just went off in my tiny brain....

We've got a few weeks before she departs for Manila, so she should just do the CFO Seminar NOW in Cebu and return to their office once she has her Visa, approximately 30 days from now; right?

Duh.....lol.

Any concerns of the CFO Seminar Certificate "expiring" while waiting for the Medical, Interview and 2GO to deliver the Visa???

J

There is no mention of expiration. However, I have read conflicting responses from other here and elsewhere. Some say that it doesn't expire. Some say 6 or 12 months. My guess is that it does not because CFO does not claim it, nor is there any indication of an expiration on the certificate that I know of. In your time frame, you wouldn't have anything to worry about. I don't know what to trust 100% regarding this, but I wouldn't wait more than a year to receive the sticker if that was the case just to be sure. Still, more people say with certainty that it doesn't have an expiration than those who say it does. I think some people are confusing the sticker with the certificate too. Now, it might very well be true that they issue the sticker with an expiration in compliance with the K-1 visa (which is 6 months validity from date of issue).

Edited August 1, 2012 by ToddnJessa

[JNC 1]

There is no mention of expiration. However, I have read conflicting responses from other here and elsewhere. Some say that it doesn't expire. Some say 6 or 12 months. My guess is that it does not because CFO does not claim it, nor is there any indication of an expiration on the certificate that I know of. In your time frame, you wouldn't have anything to worry about. I don't know what to trust 100% regarding this, but I wouldn't wait more than a year to receive the sticker if that was the case just to be sure. Still, more people say with certainty that it doesn't have an expiration than those who say it does. I think some people are confusing the sticker with the certificate too. Now, it might very well be true that they issue the sticker with an expiration in compliance with the K-1 visa (which is 6 months validity from date of issue).

Yep....makes sense to me. Thanks for the insight.

Also....on the CFO website, it lists the following requirements:

Requirements for Registration

1.Original and photocopy of Passport;

2.Original and photocopy of visa;

3.Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary for US bound/ Confirmation of Permanent Residence for Canada bound/ Certification of Eligibility (for Japan-bound);

4.Original CFO guidance and counseling certificate;

5.Duly completed emigrant registration form; and

6.Payment of the authorized registration fee.

-AND-

Requirements for Attendance to Guidance and Counseling Program

1.Two (2) valid identification cards (IDs) with photograph;

2.Duly completed guidance and counseling form;

3.If married, certified true copy and photocopy of marriage contract on security paper from the National Statistics Office, or Local Civil Registry Offices; or original and photocopy of marriage contract duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/ Consulate (if married abroad)

4.Other documents as may be required by the counselors; and

5.Payment of P250.00 counseling fee.

Does anybody know what #3 is in the top section? "Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary for US bound"???????

Thanks,

J

[thinkerlove0212 158]

Hi everyone,

With all the upcoming issues with the CFO in mid-September, I'm getting a little worried and would like to make every day a productive one.

My Fiancee will be doing her Medical at St. Luke's on Monday, August 20th and our Interview at the Embassy is scheduled for that Friday, August 24th.

Assuming all goes well on Monday & Tuesday at the Medical, could she go do the CFO Seminar in Manila on Wednesday or Thursday and then do her Interview on Friday......returning to Cebu that weekend, wait two weeks for her Visa and then go get her "magical sticker" at the CFO office in Cebu?

Does anyone think this will work or see any problems with it?

Thanks for the input.

J

No it will be a problem if she will do that, if she is going to have a seminar in manila then she should get her sticker in manila too. It wont give her the sticker if she is planning to get her sticker in CEBU, that is my plan before, then i won't take the risk. I called the office where i had my seminar, i asked if i can get my sticker in CEBU. He told me NO since my seminar is in manila..

I am just saying this from my experience..

[Thomas&Cleofe 358]

No it will be a problem if she will do that, if she is going to have a seminar in manila then she should get her sticker in manila too. It wont give her the sticker if she is planning to get her sticker in CEBU, that is my plan before, then i won't take the risk. I called the office where i had my seminar, i asked if i can get my sticker in CEBU. He told me NO since my seminar is in manila..

I am just saying this from my experience..

Thanks for correcting....we all learn now.

[TnJ 131]

No it will be a problem if she will do that, if she is going to have a seminar in manila then she should get her sticker in manila too. It wont give her the sticker if she is planning to get her sticker in CEBU, that is my plan before, then i won't take the risk. I called the office where i had my seminar, i asked if i can get my sticker in CEBU. He told me NO since my seminar is in manila..

I am just saying this from my experience..

That is good to know. I guess when in doubt, call their offices. As for number 3) Immigration Data Sheet, I found this: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/378992-cfo/ and this: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/359142-cfo-requirements/

Apparently, this comes with your visa.

Edited August 2, 2012 by ToddnJessa

[newbster 4]

Just a warning. I hear horror stories about the SMEF-COW CFO class in Cebu, so taking it in Manila might be preferred if you can swing it. But either way we'd all be grateful if you'd write about your experience. I think it's harder at CFO if the lady going is less than 25 or her fiance has a prior divorce or any sort of criminal record.

[Thomas&Cleofe 358]

That is good to know. I guess when in doubt, call their offices. As for number 3) Immigration Data Sheet, I found this: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/378992-cfo/ and this: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/359142-cfo-requirements/

Apparently, this comes with your visa.

Yes.....I hear it is attached to the "Do Not Open" package.

[TnJ 131]

Just a warning. I hear horror stories about the SMEF-COW CFO class in Cebu, so taking it in Manila might be preferred if you can swing it. But either way we'd all be grateful if you'd write about your experience. I think it's harder at CFO if the lady going is less than 25 or her fiance has a prior divorce or any sort of criminal record.

Yes, these horror stories actually come out of both Cebu and Manila. I think you are on track. There are certainly the extra things needed such as parental consent or advice for filipinos under 25. I would assume that a criminal record would come into questioning as well if CFO was aware of it. I have read that people needed to know some things about the USC that they would need to know anyway for the K-1 interview. Mother's maiden name seems to be one that always gets asked. Place of work, work title, home address etc. are others. Also, a copy of the USC's birth certificate and passport will more than likely be needed.

Yes.....I hear it is attached to the "Do Not Open" package.

Ah yes, the mysterious brown envelope. That makes sense.

[reginakrys 33]

There is no immigrant data summary for K1 visas, as it is a non-immigrant visa. For the IR/CR visas, it's pasted onto the mysterious brown envelope. To get a photocopy of it, simply place the entire package over the machine. DO NOT attempt to remove it from the package.