Bypass CFO? (split topic)

[Jeff @ Missy 9]

I do not think that someone traveling say to Thailand needs a CFO sticker, is this correct? I had thought about doing an end around the CFO thing with my wife and flying out of another country, it would be easier than the hassle of the 'dreaded CFO' experience.. My wifes passport is still in maiden name and will go to a consulate to renew and change the name when the time comes. We will probably travel back to the Philippines before this anyways but I would rather deal with a consulate here than any gov entity there.

[Ryan H 3,812]

***Post split from old thread; reply to post in old thread quoted below.***

I do not think that someone traveling say to Thailand needs a CFO sticker, is this correct? I had thought about doing an end around the CFO thing with my wife and flying out of another country, it would be easier than the hassle of the 'dreaded CFO' experience.. My wifes passport is still in maiden name and will go to a consulate to renew and change the name when the time comes. We will probably travel back to the Philippines before this anyways but I would rather deal with a consulate here than any gov entity there.

Nope that isn't correct. Once the visa is in the passport, that person is not exiting the Philippines without the CFO sticker, no matter where they are flying to.

[Vic20r 14]

I don't think it's a good idea especially she when she has the visa stamp in her passport..

The only scary part of attending the CFO is when you hear "stories" from people...Lucky i did my CFO 2010 and don't have the slightest idea what was going to happen there. I saw few ladies calling their husbands/fiances inside the office in a loud voice asking for his mother's maiden name or his complete address and phone number and i was thinking like, what? "you marry this guy without knowing his parents?...his address? or phone number?

[Tahoma 2,292]

There's nothing to dread about the CFO seminar if you are prepared and confident.

Since your wife will have her U.S. visa affixed to passport, there's little chance that she would be allowed to board a flight out of the Philippines without a CFO sticker.

[Jeff @ Missy 9]

I don't think it's a good idea especially she when she has the visa stamp in her passport..

The only scary part of attending the CFO is when you hear "stories" from people...Lucky i did my CFO 2010 and don't have the slightest idea what was going to happen there. I saw few ladies calling their husbands/fiances inside the office in a loud voice asking for his mother's maiden name or his complete address and phone number and i was thinking like, what? "you marry this guy without knowing his parents?...his address? or phone number?

In my case there is no reason my wife would know my phone number, I even had to look it up and my mother had been dead for almost 20 years, no way she would know the maiden name. Luckily for her I was in the room filling out the paperwork with her and the 'seminar interrogator's' knew this but to bad for them. The CFO experience was 12 hr plus, then the return for the stamp where more of the same paperwork was filled out.

[bendinlar 16]

And if I'm right, getting caught trying to bypass CFO by going to another country first could get you caught up in some anti human trafficking stuff. They don't mess around with that stuff. Not worth the risk if you ask me.

CFO can't be that bad, seen more positive than negative experiences. Just be confident.

[Jeff @ Missy 9]

And if I'm right, getting caught trying to bypass CFO by going to another country first could get you caught up in some anti human trafficking stuff. They don't mess around with that stuff. Not worth the risk if you ask me.

CFO can't be that bad, seen more positive than negative experiences. Just be confident.

That would be a Philippine only issue. The CFO experience was the worst thing for me the petitioner as I had to wait, it's so much BS I was cussing at them, not my style but I was angrier than I have been in years....it's all about control of the Filipino citizen.

[Hank_ 9,174]

In my case there is no reason my wife would know my phone number, I even had to look it up and my mother had been dead for almost 20 years, no way she would know the maiden name. Luckily for her I was in the room filling out the paperwork with her and the 'seminar interrogator's' knew this but to bad for them. The CFO experience was 12 hr plus, then the return for the stamp where more of the same paperwork was filled out.

Same with me, my mother died about 20 years ago, but I had read of CFO asking for the mother's maiden name so my wife was prepared. They weren't asking for the phone number when she went through so we didn't bother with that one.

[Steve&Ema 25]

It sounds like she already went through the CFO process. What happen? Did they deny her the sticker? Ema will be going through it in 2 weeks.

[Jeff @ Missy 9]

Same with me, my mother died about 20 years ago, but I had read of CFO asking for the mother's maiden name so my wife was prepared. They weren't asking for the phone number when she went through so we didn't bother with that one.

Yes i also prepared her with my mothers full name, maybe it was you that had mentioned it. The CFO online form was not even used, the night before I went to the internet cafe to have it printed out and all, waste of time again. I am just glad it is all over now, day 3 at the house...and the wife wants to go back cause her skin is drying out and her lips are cracked and the jetlag is making her sick, hehe. I should have filled a suitcase full of dried fish, did not know that is not a problem in customs and that would have been a winner to have for the Filipino community she will meet. Even myself when coming back to the USA have a hard time the first month adjusting. Spending a small fortune on winter clothes and other stuff but needs to be done. I was able to buy her some real nice outdoor clothing, not knockoffs in Manila. A place I was staying had a nice market (Cartimar) but would have been better to go to Baclaran or Divisoria.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Yes i also prepared her with my mothers full name, maybe it was you that had mentioned it. The CFO online form was not even used, the night before I went to the internet cafe to have it printed out and all, waste of time again. I am just glad it is all over now, day 3 at the house...and the wife wants to go back cause her skin is drying out and her lips are cracked and the jetlag is making her sick, hehe. I should have filled a suitcase full of dried fish, did not know that is not a problem in customs and that would have been a winner to have for the Filipino community she will meet. Even myself when coming back to the USA have a hard time the first month adjusting. Spending a small fortune on winter clothes and other stuff but needs to be done. I was able to buy her some real nice outdoor clothing, not knockoffs in Manila. A place I was staying had a nice market (Cartimar) but would have been better to go to Baclaran or Divisoria.

Glad you all had safe travels.

Living in Arizona dry skin was and is a major issue. For the dry skin Burt's Bees Nourishing Body Lotion, we tried a ton of brands before finding the Burt's Bees... not the cheapest but is the best, hangs in for a couple days even with showering. And for dry lips Carmex I believe is the name of the stuff, might have the spelling wrong.

[Jeff @ Missy 9]

It sounds like she already went through the CFO process. What happen? Did they deny her the sticker? Ema will be going through it in 2 weeks.

No don't worry about the CFO denying her, it is advertised as a seminar...but the wait times and the hassles and taxis and then they do question her about many things that she knows or does not about her sponsor. For me I was with my wife for 3 yrs but they still asked many things which she knew. The Embassy interview was so simple I could not believe it, I was there with her for the whole thing, and also was with her for the CFO part in the 'waiting cell' and on the 3rd floor where the 'new improved forms' were filled out with barley enough room for the attendees to put their fresh ink on the forms...I'm just negative on the way they treat people there, not used to this even after living in the RP for 3 1/2 yrs. When she went back to get the sticker put in the passport after the visa was granted was also a hassle...I was at the Bureau of Immigration doing my part for my son and they wanted more info so I had to travel back to the CFO building bringing the "embassy package" to her. I am curious what the petitioners of the countries other than USA, NZ, AU, GB, and so on have to provide to a wife or fiance leaving the RP.

Good luck and tell her to get there by 4am at the latest

[Steve&Ema 25]

Good luck and tell her to get there by 4am at the latest

Thanks and I will. Actually I will probably be going to. Just out of curiosity.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Thanks and I will. Actually I will probably be going to. Just out of curiosity.

It will be a long wait ... outside I went with my wife to the CFO seminar, sat outside.

[SennaBrigante 92]

The CFO seminar is the only part of the whole process I'm dreading

Even if my husband was here, I wouldn't want him to come with me, he might start a riot or get arrested for disorderly conduct or something. He's patient with me but has zero patience for lines and procedures.

@Jeff, you shouldve brought a bunch of gourmet tuyo bottles for your wife. I am soooo planning to dedicate a suitcase to local food (candies, gourmet tuyo, sauce mixes, Filipino-style spaghetti sauce, Lucky Me pancit canton and a gallon of Mama Sita's hot sauce lol)