Got approved (Manila), now we have a big problem

[tipaklongkano 13]

My wife's CR-1 visa was delivered to her yesterday. Along with it came a list of requirements that must be completed before she can leave the Philippines. One of the requirements is that she has to attend the CFO seminar and get her passport stamped. We just found out that in order to attend this seminar, she has to submit a certified copy of her report of marriage overseas. When we got married in Bangkok 1.5 years ago, we were told we didn't need to report the marriage at the Philippine embassy or in the Philippines unless she wanted to change her last name to mine, so we skipped that step. We never knew it would be required by the CFO. So, now we're being told that we need to file a report of late registration at the Department of Foreign Affairs. Fine. But, the DFA said it will take at LEAST four months. Her visa expires in 5 months, 11 days! Are we potentially screwed? Do any of you have any idea how we should proceed?

 

TO RECAP:

My wife can't leave the Philippines until she obtains a stamp in her passport showing that she attended a seminar. She cannot attend this seminar until she receives a document that she may not receive until her cr-1 expires. HELP. Please. 

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Philippines regional forum.

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

Not sure how long that takes honestly; but can confirm that she will not be allowed into the terminal in Manila to fly unless she has the stamp/certificate from CFO.

[tipaklongkano 13]

Can't leave the country as in, can't fly to the U.S., or can't fly anywhere? What if, say, we wanted to go on vacation in, oh i don't know...Kuala Lumpur? And then what if our plans change and we decide to fly directly from there to the states? 

[Sagot 1,548]

52 minutes ago, tipaklongkano said:

My wife's CR-1 visa was delivered to her yesterday. Along with it came a list of requirements that must be completed before she can leave the Philippines. One of the requirements is that she has to attend the CFO seminar and get her passport stamped. We just found out that in order to attend this seminar, she has to submit a certified copy of her report of marriage overseas. When we got married in Bangkok 1.5 years ago, we were told we didn't need to report the marriage at the Philippine embassy or in the Philippines unless she wanted to change her last name to mine, so we skipped that step. We never knew it would be required by the CFO. So, now we're being told that we need to file a report of late registration at the Department of Foreign Affairs. Fine. But, the DFA said it will take at LEAST four months. Her visa expires in 5 months, 11 days! Are we potentially screwed? Do any of you have any idea how we should proceed?

 

TO RECAP:

My wife can't leave the Philippines until she obtains a stamp in her passport showing that she attended a seminar. She cannot attend this seminar until she receives a document that she may not receive until her cr-1 expires. HELP. Please. 

Don't stress on the PSA registered marriage certificate.  What CFO requires is a copy of the CENOMAR/CEMAR from PSA... you are reading too much into this.  What she will need is a copy of her marriage certificate and the CENOMAR from PSA (she provided one to the embassy).

 

Your "flying somewhere else" idea.. .won't fly.   Once there is a visa in the passport, a person does NOT leave the Philippines without the CFO sticker.

 

Here is a link with some CFO info.   Bring the CENOMAR, and your marriage certificate, all will be fine.  

 

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

Edited February 8, 2017 by Sagot

[Shauneg 762]

6 minutes ago, Sagot said:

Don't stress on the PSA registered marriage certificate.  What CFO requires is a copy of the CENOMAR/CEMAR from PSA... you are reading too much into this.  What she will need is a copy of her marriage certificate and the CENOMAR from PSA (she provided one to the embassy).

 

Your "flying somewhere else" idea.. .won't fly.   Once there is a visa in the passport, a person does NOT leave the Philippines without the CFO sticker.

 

Here is a link with some CFO info.   Bring the CENOMAR, and your marriage certificate, all will be fine.  

 

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

Truth!

[Hank_ 9,174]

I agree your "flying on vacation" idea has been beat to death ... won't happen.

 

You have a visa in the passport, you need the CFO sticker.  With that said you are stressing too much about getting the marriage certificate registered in the Philippines  (the rules for that is - it is registered through the consulate representing where you were married).  

 

Relax, bring a CENOMAR and copies, along with your marriage certificate, follow the guide in the link Sagot gave you.  You should be out of there with the sticker in 4 hours or so.

 

Save travels

[Hank_ 9,174]

2 minutes ago, Shauneg said:

Truth!

 

How y'all doin' ?   Good I hope!

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hate typos - 

 

SAFE TRAVELS! 

[tipaklongkano 13]

50 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

I agree your "flying on vacation" idea has been beat to death ... won't happen.

 

You have a visa in the passport, you need the CFO sticker.  With that said you are stressing too much about getting the marriage certificate registered in the Philippines  (the rules for that is - it is registered through the consulate representing where you were married).  

 

Relax, bring a CENOMAR and copies, along with your marriage certificate, follow the guide in the link Sagot gave you.  You should be out of there with the sticker in 4 hours or so.

 

Save travels

Thank you for replying. The problem is, we after getting married in Bangkok, we did NOT report it to the Philippine embassy there. We skipped the step because we were told that for purposes of US immigration, it was unnecessary.  

 

The CFO instruction page, item number 4: "If married overseas, original Report of Marriage duly registered by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate or the Department of Foreign Affairs"

[Hank_ 9,174]

10 minutes ago, tipaklongkano said:

Thank you for replying. The problem is, we after getting married in Bangkok, we did NOT report it to the Philippine embassy there. We skipped the step because we were told that for purposes of US immigration, it was unnecessary.  

 

The CFO instruction page, item number 4: "If married overseas, original Report of Marriage duly registered by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate or the Department of Foreign Affairs"

Yes I understand your issue, I'm just saying that you take a run at it with what you have; the CENOMAR from PSA and your marriage certificate (and copies) ...  along with the other items listed in.  You burn 4 hours.. and most likely walk out with the sticker.

 

Is your wife a confident, self assured person, not meek or timid ... that is a big plus also.

[SennaBrigante 92]

We were married in the US, didn't have a report of marriage with me to the CFO and the counselor just told me to get it asap when I get to the US. I just told them that I was planning to do the ROM thing when I we'll be in LA for a vacation. 

[tipaklongkano 13]

6 hours ago, SennaBrigante said:

We were married in the US, didn't have a report of marriage with me to the CFO and the counselor just told me to get it asap when I get to the US. I just told them that I was planning to do the ROM thing when I we'll be in LA for a vacation. 

Oh man, that's encouraging news. She made an appointment for next Wednesday. She's gonna give it a shot. Fingers and toes crossed. 

[Sagot 1,548]

1 hour ago, tipaklongkano said:

Oh man, that's encouraging news. She made an appointment for next Wednesday. She's gonna give it a shot. Fingers and toes crossed. 

People go through CFO with a K-1 and a CEMAR showing they are married in the Philippines, then a copy of a divorce decree from another country.  <<  And this is why I said to - Git er dun!!

[Terin 0]

No more problem, baby! Yeah!