Counseling requirement

[gtewks 1]

I hear that there is some kinds of Counseling requirement for K1 visa recipients before they can leave the Philippines.

Can someone tell me how difficult it is to sign up for that class, price and WHEN in the k1 process my fiance would need to get this done?

Also, are there many locations to do this, or only in Manila?

thanks

[Hank_ 9,174]

I hear that there is some kinds of Counseling requirement for K1 visa recipients before they can leave the Philippines.

Can someone tell me how difficult it is to sign up for that class, price and WHEN in the k1 process my fiance would need to get this done?

Also, are there many locations to do this, or only in Manila?

thanks

That is CFO you are asking about. There are details from the link below in my signature.

In case you are on a phone I will post the link here: http://visaconnection-philippines.com/index.php/2-visa-process/5-cfo-gcp-seminar

[jannapalmer 10]

Not difficult. It's by appointment. So check their website to schedule one.

Fee is Php400.

You need to bring orig and photocopy of your passport.

Orig and photocopy of 2 valid IDs.

Visa (if you already have it)

You can attend it before, during or after the visa process.

Before you get your visa: you attend the seminar and get the certificate after, but you come back later once you already have your visa to register and get the CFO sticker for your passport

When you already have your visa: Just show them your passport with visa, register, attend the seminar and get certificate and sticker after.

Locations: CFO Manila, CFO Cebu

Flow:

1. Fill-up form

2. Take your photos

3. Individual interviews

4. Seminar proper

5. Payment and release of certificates

You can't leave Philippines without the sticker as they will look for it.

Edited May 12, 2016 by jannapalmer

[jjmarfzie 0]

Not difficult. It's by appointment. So check their website to schedule one.

Fee is Php400.

You need to bring orig and photocopy of your passport.

Orig and photocopy of 2 valid IDs.

Visa (if you already have it)

You can attend it before, during or after the visa process.

Before you get your visa: you attend the seminar and get the certificate after, but you come back later once you already have your visa to register and get the CFO sticker for your passport

When you already have your visa: Just show them your passport with visa, register, attend the seminar and get certificate and sticker after.

Locations: CFO Manila, CFO Cebu

Flow:

1. Fill-up form

2. Take your photos

3. Individual interviews

4. Seminar proper

5. Payment and release of certificates

You can't leave Philippines without the sticker as they will look for it.

This is only for a half day seminar right? You can take this seminar even you haven't gotten your visa approval yet?

[jannapalmer 10]

Yup. It's half a day. But with my experience it took longer than expected coz in the CFO form that you fill up online to get a sched they emphasize being there 1 1/2 hour before session starts. I was there at 7:30 coz my session is supposed to start at 9am but ended up starting at 11am... coz the counselor came late and the individual interviews (which she also does prior) took too long. I was sooo upset. And after the seminar is done, you have to wait another hour or so for them to release your certificate.

I don't have my visa yet when I attended it and they would just consider your attendance to the seminar for the purpose of renewing/updating your passport. Coz it's also a requirement to attend the CFO seminar if you're married to a USC and wants to update your passport to use your married name.

Regardless, you still get a certificate. Once you get your visa, just go back to CFO office, show your certificate to get your sticker. And don't worry coz CFO certificate is valid a lifetime, you don't have to do this ever again.

[Hank_ 9,174]

This is only for a half day seminar right? You can take this seminar even you haven't gotten your visa approval yet?

Yes a half day seminar, plan to arrive about an hour early as they want the form completed before the seminar/one on one interview,

Yes you can attend the GCP seminar before receiving your visa. You will have to make a 2nd trip to CFO to get your sticker after you get your visa.

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2342:steps-with-images&catid=110:frequently-asked-questions&Itemid=858