MY CFO SEMINAR EXPERIENCE JULY 4, 2016 MANILA

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Don't post your question more then once. No appointment is necessary for your sticker from CFO.

[barbie.ness 15]

you can just walk in just present your certificate to tge guard and he will guide you

[snowcat 58]

Hi,

I just checked the Reservation Online System for CFO and it seems you NEED an immigrant visa to be able to register online?

"(You need an immigrant visa to secure an appointment for your attendance to the country specific CFO Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar.)"

https://cfo.ph/PDOS_Reservation/

Did you also see this message and registered anyway (i.e., clicked the "I already have my immigrant visa and wish to register with the CFO" button)? Or is this a recent rule?

Thanks

[xmaricrisx 25]

Hi,

I just checked the Reservation Online System for CFO and it seems you NEED an immigrant visa to be able to register online?

"(You need an immigrant visa to secure an appointment for your attendance to the country specific CFO Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar.)"

https://cfo.ph/PDOS_Reservation/

Did you also see this message and registered anyway (i.e., clicked the "I already have my immigrant visa and wish to register with the CFO" button)? Or is this a recent rule?

Thanks

If you are applying for a K-1 or CR-1/IR-1 visa, you will attend the GCP seminar and not the PDOS. You do not need your visa to register for the GCP, which you can do here: https://cfo.ph/GCP_Manila/

[snowcat 58]

If you are applying for a K-1 or CR-1/IR-1 visa, you will attend the GCP seminar and not the PDOS. You do not need your visa to register for the GCP, which you can do here: https://cfo.ph/GCP_Manila/

I see. Thank you! Just scheduled my appointment.

[chwolff11 1]

Thank you so much for posting this. It helps a lot and we have been confused about this seminar and a little frustrated too because my fiancee has worked overseas for 5 years so she feels she has a good idea about being an ex-pat. I like that this seminar is an opportunity for someone in a bad situation to get help!

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

Thank you so much for posting this. It helps a lot and we have been confused about this seminar and a little frustrated too because my fiancee has worked overseas for 5 years so she feels she has a good idea about being an ex-pat. I like that this seminar is an opportunity for someone in a bad situation to get help!

It is overall a good seminar for people going abroad into a unknown situation. But the problem that most people have are the "requirements" that are suddenly thrown on to to attendee about their fiance/spouse. These requirements that are needed are not the ones that are on the website or anywhere else, sometimes they are just on the spot. So if that attendee does not have what they want then that person has to come back. There are many examples on here where the attendee is suddenly asked for some arbitrary requirement and that person is forced to jump through hoops for it.

The other thing that is good about the new seminars are that they have seem to have done away with the corruption part of it.

Edited November 7, 2016 by cyberfx1024

[chwolff11 1]

I'm going there right now and her seminar is this Friday. Maybe I'll be waiting for her and they can ask me the questions. ???

[Sagot 1,548]

I'm going there right now and her seminar is this Friday. Maybe I'll be waiting for her and they can ask me the questions. ???

Some helpful info here: http://visaconnection-philippines.com/index.php/2-visa-process/5-cfo-gcp-seminar

[chwolff11 1]

As I'm reading this I find I'm getting more confused on the subject. Can you clarify two things:

1) Can my fiancee just show up and walk in anytime to do the seminar needed for a K1 visa holder?

2) Once she completes the seminar is she required to return to the US embassy with proof for a passport stamp, does someone do it right at the seminar or is it something else?

Thank you,

Christian

[Greenbaum 12,259]

As I'm reading this I find I'm getting more confused on the subject. Can you clarify two things:

1) Can my fiancee just show up and walk in anytime to do the seminar needed for a K1 visa holder?

2) Once she completes the seminar is she required to return to the US embassy with proof for a passport stamp, does someone do it right at the seminar or is it something else?

Thank you,

Christian

Appointments are necessary and required.

If she has her passport at the CFO seminar then she can get her sticker then otherwise if she doesn't have here passport she will be given a completion certificate and must return for the sticker at the CFO location in Manila, Cebu or NAIA.

[MarkPerry 488]

Let me start by saying that the CFO Seminar is mandated by law. Therefore, we cannot escape it. Without the CFO sticker and certificate earned after attending the Seminar, one cannot successfully go out of the Philippines.

You can easily escape it, just do your interview outside of Philippines. CFO has been an on going joke for almost 20 years now.

[Jenn2000 0]

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a great day

When I was researching about what CFO is and its importance in this K1 visa process, I had a hard time because of few information available. Since I am done with it, I would like to share my experience.

Let me start by saying that the CFO Seminar is mandated by law. Therefore, we cannot escape it. Without the CFO sticker and certificate earned after attending the Seminar, one cannot successfully go out of the Philippines.

Lets start with the ULTIMATE FACTS:

WHAT is the CFO Seminar?

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2341:what-is-cfo-guidance-and-counseling-program&catid=110:frequently-asked-questions&Itemid=858

WHERE can we have the Seminar?

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2344:schedule-of-cfos-guidance-and-counseling-program-with-images&catid=110:frequently-asked-questions&Itemid=858

WHERE is the CFO building located?

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1345&Itemid=843

Suggestion: Use UBER to get there (whether in Manila or Cebu)

HOW much is the payment?

Php 400.00 as of July 04, 2016. Please check the CFOs website http://www.cfo.gov.ph/ for the updated fee

WHAT are the steps to have an online appointment?

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2390:gcis-faq-no-1&catid=110:frequently-asked-questions&Itemid=858

Now a narration of my very wonderful experience attending the CFO Seminar.

I scheduled by CFO Seminar 3 weeks in advance and without having my medical and interview yet. I wanted to make sure that I make the best out of the time I am waiting for the NVC phase to be done J. And oh yes, excited! I stayed in Josies (my super friend) condo located at Mandaluyong the night before July 4, 2016.

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This is what the CFO appointment letter looks like. Print two copies.

I woke up 4:40am on the day of my interview. I brought with me all the documents I think I will need.My fiancée told me I am more than ready! Lol. But again, the burden of proof to prove that the relationship is real rests in us (in ME actually since I am the one who will be interviewed hahaha). Being in the legal field, I know its a game of documentary evidences plus how convincing are you in answering the questions. I left the condo 6:15am by taking advantage of the Uber service. (Uber is really my bestfriend whenever I am in Manila- saves your time, money and health- no air pollution exposure lols). I only paid Php 190.00 and arrived 6:40am.

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The sign that I am in the right place.

Exactly 7:30am, the guard opened the office door. Those with appointment were asked to line up with the appointment letter and 1 valid id on hand. Those who did not have appointment and were NOT for k1 or spouse visa, they were asked to line up in the other door. The guard checked our documents one by one. He handed me an F id J He instructed me to proceed to third floor using the elevator.

There are two ladies in the third floor office. They will ask you if you have a visa or not. If you have a visa, they will give you two forms to fill out. If you do not have your visa yet, they will give you one form to answer.

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This is the form and the ID i got.

No need to worry where to write because there are sufficient tables and chairs where you can write. Look at my tableJ. The room is nice and clean and cold. On top of that, the two ladies are very nice and accommodating.

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Thats the desk where I filed up the form. And oh yes, I got two plastic envelopes full of documents

So I was done answering the forms. I submitted it to the lady who gave me the form together with the necessary attachments. Please remember to submit the form together with your passport (if you already have the visa), a photocopy of your birth certificate, CENOMAR (for k1), Certificate of Marriage (if married) and two photocopies of valid IDs. After the lady is done checking my form and attachments, she advised me that my room number for the seminar is room number one USA. It is just inside the room. There is a label in the door.

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This is the label - USA!

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This is the Seminar Room

After, she will ask you to go to the lady in her right to take a picture of you. The lady verified the birth date of my fiancées before taking the picture. (So I highly suggest memorize by heart the birth date of your love and other basic information!)After, she will ask you if you like the picture. If you say no, she will take it again. I said the first take is perfect. Lols. It was after the seminar that I learned that the picture will be used for the Certificate. (The Certificates validity is FOREVER. If you lost it, you will pay php800 and you have to wait 5 working days to get it. AND oh, NO RUSH request allowed. Strictly 5 working days!) So it was still 8am when I finished the forms and picture taking. I was advised to take my breakfast since the seminar is from 9-12noon.

There is a small canteen next to the building. The food is not so yummy but pricey. I paid php160 for a noodles, fish & rice. The chopusey in the picture is not mine. Its Imees.

At 8:45am we went back the building and took the elevator to the 3^rd floor. We waited inside the seminar room. The lady to whom I submitted the form and attachments is our facilitator. She gave us a very good background of what the seminar is all about. Basically, it is for our protection. She gave details and even gave her email so we can reach her. She talked about the different faces of Domestic Violence and real life stories she encountered from fiancées and spouses. (It was not to scare us but to inform us that things happen and how to deal with them).

At around 9:30am, we had a group activity. We were asked to count of to determine who belongs in group 1 and group 2. She flashed four questions in the projector screen. The questions were all about marriage- your goals, your anticipated challenges, your preparation in dealing with challenges and your plans. Each individual will discuss his or her opinion in the group. The group will select a reported who will discuss the answers in front. While the group activity is ongoing, the facilitator will call each individual for a one on one interview. I was called second.

Good news - there is nothing to fear with the one on one interview. As long as you know your spouse, your relationship is legitimate, you answer her questions responsively, clearly and honestly, everything will be perfect. My interview only took around 3minutes. Her questions were:

A. What is the complete name of your fiancée?

B. Where did you first meet?

C. How many times he visited in the Philippines and when?

D. What do you like most about your fiancée?

E. Do your parents personally know your fiancée?

I just answered all the questions straight forward. No follow up questions. She said she do not have any further questions and asked me to call the next person in the room.

TIP: If you satisfactorily answered the questions, she will not ask for any further proof or documentation. Some failed to do so. They were asked to provide pictures and other documents. Also, she takes notes while you answer J and she will ask again the same question in the middle of the interview for verification. Also, according to the interviewer, even if they sense that you are lying, they will proceed with the interview but will not release your certificate and have you under investigation. Therefore, if you do not really know the person you will be marrying or you are paid or forced by your parents or somebody to do it or you falsified or you know that the documents are falsified- tell the interviewer. She can greatly help and give you protection.

At 9:45 am we had the group discussion. It was a simple yet fruitful one. After the two groups presented, she talked about the papers you need to bring for your flight. She also discussed quickly about the K1 process and the spouse visa process. The Seminar ended at around 11:20am in the morning. I took a picture of the facilitator J

When we left the seminar room, a lady distributed a brochure. This includes some of the topics discussed and some additional relevant information.

After receiving the brochure, she will tell you to proceed to the ground floor Cashier 1 to pay the fee of php400.00. No need to rush. The cashier will call you one by one and get the payment in exchange of the receipt. After such, she will ask you to wait for your name to be called for your certificate. It only took 5 minutes from payment to getting the certificate.

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This is the receipt, certificate and a little note I got from them!

I left the CFO office 11:53am in the morning.

Thanks and I hope this will be of help.

Hi there. Did they take a photo of you at the cfo office for the certificate? Or they used the photo you uploaded in the online appointment form? The photo I uploaded was too blurry. I couldn't even tell it's me

Thanks

[Sagot 1,548]

You can easily escape it, just do your interview outside of Philippines. CFO has been an on going joke for almost 20 years now.

Say what???? To complete the interview in another country, they would have to acquire a visa for that "other country" giving them legal residency before the embassy would allow that "IDEA" to happen

Where do you get these ideas from ?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

You can easily escape it, just do your interview outside of Philippines. CFO has been an on going joke for almost 20 years now.

You have just joined VJ some 5 days ago and you are an expert on all things dealing with the visa processing through the Philippines. I would be glad to listen to what your credentials are, if you would liked to share them.