CFO Seminar in Manila (May 30, 2013)

[Mrs.Presson 16]

Hello Ericka. Thank you for this very informative post. I have a question,i only have an NBI. Dont have any other government ID. Will it be a problem? Thanks for your reply. God bless you.

You should probably get a postal ID. That would work too. They are pretty strict about the 2 valid government ID policy.

NBI Clearance + Postal ID works.

[ChaiLatte 1]

q

Edited May 31, 2013 by ChaiLatte

[Mrs.Presson 16]

Thank you very much Erika. By the way I just want to make sure that I got it correctly because I'm a bit confused, you mean I can take the CFO even if I'm not yet done with with USEM consulate interview? We already scheduled our interview this coming July 3. Is it possible to take CFO beforehand?

Thank you very much, you've been very helpful.

Yes you can. My interview date is on June 13th, actually. I already got my CFO Certificate. i wanted to get it out of the way so I did it before my interview.

All we have to do after we get our Visas approved is go there so that our passport would be "stamped" with the emigrant sticker.

Good luck with your interview!

[ChaiLatte 1]

What Hank_ said above. They just mention it in passing. And JUST stressing on validity of things not HOW to get it exactly. Research online. Read up on it here on VJ. Go to the USCIS Site for forms and instructions.

Basically, what CFO does, is taking care of immigrants. They explain that while we do have intent to leave the country for good, they are still there to help. You may call them for advice/repatriation. They're not the primary source for all processes. They just mention it briefly.

For me, I put his nearest relative in the US, his grandmother landline number in North Carolina. Why they are asking this, is because they want to be able to know where to look for you first is things go awry. As for verification, I wouldn't know how. LOL. But seriously though, that bit of information IS important for it could be one of your lifelines in the future.

With the educational attainment, no, the form doesn't ask for the years/date graduates. It's just a "check box" (But actually it says mark with X) of the educational attainment (High School Level, High School Graduate, College Level, College Graduate...etc.) then a blank with "degree/course/specialization/concentration" after. If he's not done with college, it should be "College Level" then state the degree after. Same information will be asked of you, too.

Honestly, I'm not too sure with the "date of marraige" for the previous wife. (I skipped that part, I should've paid attention to the other questions. Sorry!) But don't think they would be concerned about his previous marraige that much. They just want to know if the marraige is really null/void if Divorced, and if they're really allowed to re-marry because he/she is widowed. Divorce decrees should have those dates anyway.

If they have children from previous marraiges, make sure you know their info too, like name, birthdates and ages.

^THIS

Thank you very much Erika. By the way I just want to make sure that I got it correctly because I'm a bit confused, you mean I can take the CFO even if I'm not yet done with with USEM consulate interview? We already scheduled our interview this coming July 3. Is it possible to take CFO beforehand?

Thank you very much, you've been very helpful♥

[eloisa 0]

You should probably get a postal ID. That would work too. They are pretty strict about the 2 valid government ID policy.

NBI Clearance + Postal ID works.

Thank you very much.. Im happy to read your post. I am aware now.

[ChaiLatte 1]

Yes you can. My interview date is on June 13th, actually. I already got my CFO Certificate. i wanted to get it out of the way so I did it before my interview.

All we have to do after we get our Visas approved is go there so that our passport would be "stamped" with the emigrant sticker.

Good luck with your interview!

Thanks Erika, I might do the CFO 2nd week of June because I still need to deal with my medical exam this coming June 3&4. One last thing Erika, did they asked you about what to do next once you get to the US? did you put your parents or siblings under contact person in the Philippines, and did they ask you for their birth certificate? I'm concerned about the birth cert thing because my mom don't have her NSO BC and it's so hard to get a BC in the province it took a month before you'll get it.

Good luck with your interview too...

[Mrs.Presson 16]

Thanks Erika, I might do the CFO 2nd week of June because I still need to deal with my medical exam this coming June 3&4. One last thing Erika, did they asked you about what to do next once you get to the US? did you put your parents or siblings under contact person in the Philippines, and did they ask you for their birth certificate? I'm concerned about the birth cert thing because my mom don't have her NSO BC and it's so hard to get a BC in the province it took a month before you'll get it.

Good luck with your interview too...

In the form, you will be asked what you're going to do in the US. Like I said, the counselor "promotes" doing self-studies, working, being productive on top of being a housewife. Of course, it's just their opinion. Just mark the "box" on which situation applies to you.

I put my father as the contact person in the Philippines, and no I wasn't asked about his birth certificate.

Thank you very much.. Im happy to read your post. I am aware now.

You're welcome, Eloisa.

[ChaiLatte 1]

In the form, you will be asked what you're going to do in the US. Like I said, the counselor "promotes" doing self-studies, working, being productive on top of being a housewife. Of course, it's just their opinion. Just mark the "box" on which situation applies to you.

I put my father as the contact person in the Philippines, and no I wasn't asked about his birth certificate.

You're welcome, Eloisa.

Thanks a lot:) After reading that CFO horror story blog here in VJ I'm a bit concerned about attending CFO LOL!

[Mrs.Presson 16]

Thanks a lot:) After reading that CFO horror story blog here in VJ I'm a bit concerned about attending CFO LOL!

HAHA! Exactly what it did to me! I was really nervous about the whole thing. That's why I wanted to post this review to help, I guess, neutralize the anxiety of readers of that thread. I mean, I was searching for recent CFO reviews and all I found was the "horror story". Hehe.

But yeah, If you have complete documents, you know your fiance(e)/spouse well, answer the questions asked of you and you present documents that are requested, you will be fine.

Edited May 31, 2013 by Erika & Chris

[ChaiLatte 1]

HAHA! Exactly what it did to me! I was really nervous about the whole thing. That's why I wanted to post this review to help, I guess, neutralize the anxiety of readers of that thread. I mean, I was searching for recent CFO reviews and all I found was the "horror story". Hehe.

But yeah, If you have complete documents, you know your fiance(e)/spouse well, answer the questions asked of you and you present documents that are requested, you will be fine.

Exactly! Thanks again...I just realized that I need to wait for my fiance to arrive before I can go to CFO because he has all our documents, most probably I can take CFO after my USEM consulate interview. Please do update me after your interview so that I can also prepare.

Good luck to us:) Thank you very much.

[Mrs.Presson 16]

Hello Ericka. Thank you for this very informative post. I have a question,i only have an NBI. Dont have any other government ID. Will it be a problem? Thanks for your reply. God bless you.

UPDATE: You guys can use your Passport as one of the valid ID's required. It is after all a government issued identification. Check out this post. His fiancee is the "Joan" I mentioned on my topic/thread post. Apparently, she just used her Passport AND Postal ID.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/433243-successful-cfo-in-manila/

[julitathomas0810 30]

CFO Manila

Citigold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Avenue

corner Osmeña Highway (South Superhighway)

Manila, Philippines 1007

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I've been reading threads here on VJ.com saying that there are only 30 slots for Fiance(e)'s and Spouses everyday at the CFO HQ. I checked the website, it said 15 in the morning and 15 in the afternoon. Though it said it's country-specific and has "allocations" of 15 slots for each countries, I didn't want to risk it.

I got there at 4:15am. We were only 5 at the time, and we sat on the steps leading to the CFO entrance. I met Steve previously in a Facebook Group and learned from him that his fiancee, Joan, would be attending too. She got there at about 4:30am and immediately called her.

It was about 5am when people started to show up and one lady (I suppose she owns the "mini-store" outside CFO), told us to line up by the ramp instead. This is where fiance(e)'s and spouses line up. There would be separate lines for other types of immigrants. (So make sure you tell your fiance(e)'s to line up at the ramp.) It wasn't country-specific at all. Some people in line were fiancee's of European nationals.

CFO opened at about quarter to 7, but they only let the other immigrants in first. We were the last line to enter the building.

Also a REMINDER: Make sure to bring 2 valid GOVERNMENT ID's. Whether it's a Driver's License, Unified ID, SSS, PhilHealth, NBI Clearance. As long as it's a goverment issued ID, you won't get turned away. One lady was turned away because she only had one "valid" ID. They should've just stated that what they want are government ID's in the first place. Make sure you have at least 2 photocopies of it, just to be sure.

When I got inside, at the reception desk, I was only asked for my: Passport, 2 Valid ID's, Checked if I have my photocopy of those valid ID's, and I was given an ID with a Lanyard with a Pink "F" on it. For Fiancee, I guess? We were then told to go up the 3rd floor to fill up forms.

Word of advice: Take the stairs. It's faster than the so-called elevator. LOL

When you get to the 3rd floor, You'd be asked to fill up an Information Sheet. (Yes, you have to fill it up there, It's not the downloadable one on the CFO website.)

Make sure you answer ALL questions/fields. Rendering this incomplete will be one of their criterias for you to be "HELD/ON HOLD" for one on one counseling.

Information Needed on the Form:

- Basic Information about you, the fiance(e)/spouse (Name, Address, Birthday, etc.; Your Birthplace is important too, specify which city/town/area/province)

- Basic Information about your petitioner (Sometimes you are going to be asked for the Birth Certificate copy)

- FULL MAIDEN NAME of fiance(e)/spouse's MOTHER

- Contact person in the Philippines, specifically immediate family as in Father, Mother, Siblings. (I forgot what happened to the other one who listed her cousin. I think she was asked for her cousin's birth certificate. Which got her on "Hold" status.)

- Landline Number of Petitioner. (I know, I know, most of you guys don't use landlines now. That's what was running through my mind too.) If no landline is available, Landline of Petitioner's Nearest Relative or Petitioner's Neighbor. (IKR!? Neighbor?)

- Petitioner's Educational Attainment, Degree/Course, Occupation

- Information on Petitioner's Divorce/Annulment/Death of previous wife or husband. You must have a copy of the Divorce Decree. (One lady was asked to show the Death Certificate of the petitioner's previous wife.)

- ZIPCODES. Yes, people were given a few minutes to find out their Zipcodes. Both the petitioner and the beneficiary. Never forget to write those.

So far, these are the ones that stuck out from the tedious checking of individual forms by the counselor.

People were asked to show documents. It's not a specified list of documents. Just whatever the counselor wants to see. So better go there prepared! As for me, I was just asked for photos of me and my fiance, Christopher.

By that time, she was already saying, If you don't fill up your forms properly, I will put you on "hold". She already mentioned 3 names that were on hold. Then she said, those of us who are "OK'd" by her, can now go downstairs to the first floor to pay at the Cashier.

So we did. We paid PHP400. Roughly $10.

We then went back upstairs and the counselor was still checking forms. In the end, the room full of 16 people, 10 were put on hold. Meaning, one-on-one counseling with her.

Mind you, we're not all US fiance(e)'s/spouses in the seminar "Session" as prescribed in the CFO website info. At first I thought it would be 15 from US, 15 from Canada, and so on. NOPE. In the same session, some were fiance(e)s/spouses from other countries. So I HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting there very early in the morning to secure a spot.

So when everything was already checked, we started with the lectures. She, of course, started with the history of CFO (which is in the website). The CFO Certificate and stickers. The CFO Certificate is valid for life. It doesn't expire. So make sure you take care of it and make copies. Never hand in the original to anyone. You can show them the original, but they may not keep it. It's a HUGE hassle to get it replaced.

And then explained at length who their CLIENTELE are. Meaning, they serve those family-based petition immigrants, the fiance(e) and spouses, etc. etc. Honestly, she didn't have to explain those in detail, adding up stories. Most especially going into lengths about the Filipino Au Pair Visa. This part draaaaagggggeeeed for so long.

After that, Domestic Violence was discussed, which organizations to contact, who to call. (She gave her personal mobile number, she says she's the only one who does that.)

She then covered what documents to bring when traveling, baggage allowances, airport fees, travel tax, embarkation cards, customs forms, etc.

Showed a visa packet brought by one of the spouses, and that the IDS (for IR/CR1's) shouldn't be removed from the packet.

She then proceeded to explaining what you should do when you get to the US: getting married, filing for adjustment of status, stressed on the validity of green cards, report of marraiges, amendments to passports, etc.

By this time, we were done. And those "OK'd" people can claim their certificates downstairs on the First floor, and those who were "On hold" will have their one-on-one counseling with her.

We got our certificates and got out at 1:30pm. We will have to go back there after the Visa is issued so we can get our passport CFO sticker.

So there, good luck to everyone who are going to take the CFO Seminar. Just remember, be armed with documents. Be prepared.

And go there early!

This is done after the embassy approval ? Can we do this on the next day of the approval or do you need to wait for the packet to be mailed ? Trying to figure this part out since my fiancee will be in Manila and would be helpful to take care of this while she is there . Great info going to print this for sure Thanks so much !

[Hank_ 9,174]

You can do CFO before the interview at the embassy if you so choose.

She could complete CFO while waiting for the petition to be approved at USCIS even. Erika & Chris's post is good to follow as to what to know or documents to have. When done they will issue your fiancée a certificate that she brings back with the visa to get the CFO sticker affixed in the passport and your are ready to go.

Except for paying the Exit Fee.

And the airport fee.

And.... ok there isn't anything after that.

Phone card maybe~

[Natsukiii 35]

You can do CFO before the interview at the embassy if you so choose.

She could complete CFO while waiting for the petition to be approved at USCIS even. Erika & Chris's post is good to follow as to what to know or documents to have. When done they will issue your fiancée a certificate that she brings back with the visa to get the CFO sticker affixed in the passport and your are ready to go.

Except for paying the Exit Fee.

And the airport fee.

And.... ok there isn't anything after that.

Phone card maybe~

Hank is right. My wife and I received NOA1 on May 15. We decided to try and get as many requirements completed as early as possible. My wife was able to attend and complete the CFO Seminar yesterday. All she has to do is go to either the Manila or Cebu branch to pick up the sticker when she has her visa on hand.

Good luck!

Justin

[Stevephoto 230]

Hi, I'm assuming you're Janice?

Yes, you can take the CFO Seminar before the interview. You just have to go back there after you get your Visa and have them put the emigrant sticker on your passport.

Yes, a postal ID is accepted.

Joan is 23 and wasn't asked of any parental consent letter/form. But it won't hurt to bring one. Just bring all the docs you can bring, it's a case-to-case basis. It really depends on the counselor.

You're very much welcome. Glad to help out.

Yes Joan was not asked for the advice nor the cenomar, but better to have it...it really seems like a case by case basis...you want to have all your documents just in case.