CFO Experience - November 2016

[snowcat 58]

Sharing my experience as others have, to shed more light on this requirement by the Philippine Government to all migrants.

I had scheduled my appointment online, and chose the 2-5PM slot. I got there very early at 11:30AM because I had to photocopy some documents and decided to allot 30 mins to search for a photocopier. Turns out, there is a small photocopy (+ snacks) place right next to the CFO building (seems like the family whose house is situated next door just bought a xerox machine + snacks and started offering services outside their house - pretty smart of them to take advantage of CFO being right next to them lol). So for those who need to photocopy things last minute, no worries, you can do so right outside.

So I made my way to the entrance and thought I had to line up at the ramp, as many threads here have stated, but turns out you don't do that anymore, probably because we now schedule appointments online and no longer need to adhere to the first-come, first-served rule. Seeing as no one was at the ramp and people were just heading straight to the door, I made my way to the door instead and asked kuya guard how to start the process. He asked if I had an appointment and I said yes, and he asked for my registration/appointment confirmation page (which I'd printed after scheduling online). Then he told me to proceed to the counter where I left my valid I.D. (I had a driver's license) and got the pink F card which I put around my neck.

I went to the 3rd floor, using the stairs as many had recommended, and entered the only room there. There was a lady to the left upon entering who took the registration/appointment confirmation page, asked if I already had a K-1 visa (I didn't), and stapled an information form thing to fill out. I sat down and filled my form out in around 10 minutes - helps that I memorize my fiance's number, birthday, and mother's full name. Oh, you also need to know your fiance's schooling information, including course/major in college, FYI.

After I was done, I submitted my papers and I was asked to show another valid ID (I used my passport). She wrote my passport number down and noted that the other ID that I left with the people downstairs was my driver's license. Then she let me sit so I can have my picture taken. She asked me what my fiance's birthday was before taking my picture, then showed my the picture for my approval after she took it. She then asked me to proceed to the cashier and pay P400 (I thought this would be the last step, but I guess they were trying to save time?), and to come back at 1:30PM for the seminar and interview.

It was only a little past 12PM after I paid, due to my incredibly early arrival, so I went to this carinderia type place beside the CFO to have over-priced, watered down instant coffee. I wasn't hungry as I ate before arriving, so didn't eat. There wasn't much to do, so I decided to FaceTime with my fiance for around an hour - pampalipas oras!

At 1:15PM, I went back to the room and waited the last 15 mins out (I needed the A/C really badly and couldn't wait til 1:30 lol). I went inside the USA room once 1:30PM struck, and waited some more with other applicants who were all being called one by one to be interviewed. I was called after around 5-6 people went.

My interview was freakishly easy. I had so many documents with me - my birth cert, CENOMAR, photocopies of my passport, my fiance's passport and my fiance's birth cert (which I had to scramble to get from him, because I didn't know I needed it until the night before - good thing I got to FaceTime him right when he woke up - which was 12AM for me!), and an entire scrapbook of our pictures together and with our families. I DIDN'T USE OR NEED ANY OF THAT. Basically, here's how the conversation went:

Interviewer: *Confirms my name*

Me: Yes, that's me.

I: When is your fiance's birthday?

M: *says date*

I: Ok... *takes time to check my form* and what is his mother's first name?

M: *says first name*

I: Ok... *checks form again* you met through this Meetup.com?

M: Yes, but it's not a dating website or anything. It's a website for people with common interests to meet up in person. I joined when I went to San Francisco to study back in 2012 - I studied there for 3 years. So I actually met him in person when I "met" him, but the event was organized by the website. (I think this pretty much sealed the deal - I was already in the U.S. for 3 years and was with him physically the entire time, so.)

I: Ah, okay... and he is... 31.

M: Yes. And I'm 28.

I: Well, you are of legal age to marry, so this is okay. *signs form*

M: Great. Would that be all?

I: Yes, please call *next person's name*

LITERALLY TOOK A MINUTE I THINK. I was happy it was so easy, but at the same time, kinda annoyed that I prepared so much only for them not to be even seen by the interviewer haha. Long story short, if your circumstances are not sketchy at all, you won't really need documents. But it's good to have them anyway, just in case.

Then I had the ~2 hour seminar with everyone else in the room. Basic stuff like how to keep a relationship a happy one, having children, managing finances, what to expect in the U.S., dealing with homesickness/being away for a long time, adjusting to a new culture, things to anticipate when at the airport, etc. etc. These are things that I already know, especially since I've lived there already, and so deem pretty useless, but for those who have never left the country and haven't discussed financials and other important issues with their fiance, I would say it's beneficial.

After the seminar we were asked to go back downstairs (same area where we paid) to get our certificate.

Basically the whole thing was 3-4 hours, but for me it was more like 5 because I arrived too early haha. So yes, very easy stuff and not much needed from you, as long as your relationship is 100% legit and you know your fiance well!

Now on to the next requirement (which for me is my medical exam)! Can't wait to have all these things out of the way!!

Edited November 19, 2016 by snowcat

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

Good information to share.

[Sagot 1,548]

Glad it went smoothly for you.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Thanks for sharing for others to learn and experience what CFO is like before they attend. Safe travels and good luck.

[gtewks 1]

Do you have any insight from the experience as to HOW you will get your "sticker" once you have completed the interview and received your VISA.

As I understand it you must return again to get that... Do you need an appointment,, can you just walk in anytime with the visa and get your sticker?

[Sagot 1,548]

Do you have any insight from the experience as to HOW you will get your "sticker" once you have completed the interview and received your VISA.

As I understand it you must return again to get that... Do you need an appointment,, can you just walk in anytime with the visa and get your sticker?

No you do not need an appointment, just walk-in.

[MarkPerry 488]

Do you have any insight from the experience as to HOW you will get your "sticker" once you have completed the interview and received your VISA.

As I understand it you must return again to get that... Do you need an appointment,, can you just walk in anytime with the visa and get your sticker?

We got our at the NAIA airport, I don't know if that option is still available

[MarkPerry 488]

Sharing my experience as others have, to shed more light on this requirement by the Philippine Government to all migrants.

I don't believe this is a requirement for all migrants going to USA, I don't think Tourist or Business Visa need CFO

[snowcat 58]

I don't believe this is a requirement for all migrants going to USA, I don't think Tourist or Business Visa need CFO

Migrants mean people who plan on migrating (aka settle down in another country for good), no? That does not include tourists or those going for business purposes.

mi·grate

ˈmīˌɡrāt/

verb

(of a person) move from one area or country to settle in another, especially in search of work.

Edited November 20, 2016 by snowcat

[snowcat 58]

We got our at the NAIA airport, I don't know if that option is still available

Wow, that would have been so convenient! Unfortunately, though, I don't think that option is available anymore, as the lady giving us the seminar specifically said that we could get our stickers only from the Manila CFO, Clark CFO, or Cebu CFO.

[MarkPerry 488]

Migrants mean people who plan on migrating (aka settle down in another country for good), no? That does not include tourists or those going for business purposes.

mi·grate

ˈmīˌɡrāt/

verb

(of a person) move from one area or country to settle in another, especially in search of work.

Per CFO website I thought it was from people marrying or intending to marry. I also thought under age 12 and over age 60 was not required.

[MarkPerry 488]

I see the CFO as just another way to suck money out of your back pocket, just like the paying like 1650 peos travel tax to travel outside of Philippines.

[snowcat 58]

Per CFO website I thought it was from people marrying or intending to marry. I also thought under age 12 and over age 60 was not required.

It's primarily for married and engaged people, but at my seminar there was an applicant who had a J1 visa, so I think it's required for all those wanting to live in another country. Also, there was a child (who looked around 8) present with her mother during the seminar as well, so I dunno if it's not required for underage kids.

I see the CFO as just another way to suck money out of your back pocket, just like the paying like 1650 peos travel tax to travel outside of Philippines.

Honestly I feel the same way. I would have done fine without the seminar. I 100% knew all the information given during the seminar and it was truly a waste of 4 hours of my life. But honestly for those who have never traveled and don't have internet to research all that info, it would be beneficial. Also, those in a relationship that's obviously just for the citizenship or with a person whom the applicant doesn't know at all would be weeded out and saved from future trouble/pain (if it turns out to be human trafficking)... So I also think it depends on your situation.

[Sagot 1,548]

CFO has two different seminars, GCP is for spouses and fiancees, PDOS is for other immigrants and OFW. And as noted 12 and under or 60 and over do not need to attend, but still must get their sticker.

The option to obtain the CFO sticker is available for NAIA, but it requires calling to schedule this.

[snowcat 58]

CFO has two different seminars, GCP is for spouses and fiancees, PDOS is for other immigrants and OFW. And as noted 12 and under or 60 and over do not need to attend, but still must get their sticker.

The option to obtain the CFO sticker is available for NAIA, but it requires calling to schedule this.

Woah, really?! That would be most convenient. Can I just get the sticker at NAIA on the day of my departure, provided that I call ahead of time?