Current CFO Process in Philippines?

[bolero_pa 34]

CFO likely less inclined to place as many demands on K1 visas, as those couples have already been well scrutinized and the title includes “fiancé“ rather than “tourist.”

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

2 hours ago, bolero_pa said:

CFO likely less inclined to place as many demands on K1 visas, as those couples have already been well scrutinized and the title includes “fiancé“ rather than “tourist.”

If only you knew sir. We have seen some horror stories in regards to the CFO

[flicks1998 1,044]

4 hours ago, bolero_pa said:

CFO likely less inclined to place as many demands on K1 visas, as those couples have already been well scrutinized and the title includes “fiancé“ rather than “tourist.”

The best thing you can do is have your fiance schedule the session asap.  As others have mentioned, there are some true horror stories concerning the CFO.  However, those are in the minority but there is still a risk as with anything there and there is no rhyme or reason for certain things as well.

 

When my fiance did the CFO, I was sitting next to her and was able to listen in on the conversation.  It was done with a mix of Tagalog and English but the whole CFO seminar was only about me.  Many of the questions were just ridiculous.  Since the CFO counselor did not know I was there listening, I wrote my fiance a note to start emphasizing that I had been in the country for the last 10 years, I was working there managing a team of Filipinos, that I had an 8 year old son there.  My fiance even emphasized I knew Filipino culture more than she did.  I doubt that was true, but since she had spent the majority of her life outside of the Philippines, it was all said and done to appease the counselor that she was entering into a safe relationship, that I wasnt going to be a threat to her once she was in the US, etc etc etc.  Your fiance needs to focus on this when she does the CFO as well.  Strongly emphasizing how well you know each other, your character, etc etc.  This whole CFO process is very similar to a mother/father talking to their child.  However this is how so many aspects are run in the country.  Its how I had to manage the team I had there, almost as if I was their parental figure and not their manager.

 

There are a few horror stories on this board of some members having to get the USC's police certificate which can take awhile to get and drastically slows down the process.  This CFO process is better now since its only a phone call, when it was an actual in-person seminar it could be worse.  I have many first hand stories of the belittling of applicants who did this seminar in person, including many applicants who went through the process for immigrant visas for other countries.  And these were spouses and not necessarily fiances as the US is one of only a few countries that even offers a fiance visa, many other countries do not give their citizens this option.  

 

Just try to get the process started now while your waiting the few weeks to receive the visa.  You shouldnt have issues on this, but its completely unpredictable as is everything there. 

[bolero_pa 34]

Trying to keep this updated.

 

K1 Visa Interview was Thursday, July 8.

CFO online "office" only open from Mon-Thurs.

Monday July 12, contact made via online form to start CFO process, despite no in-hand visa.
CFO replied (same day I believe) saying they needed copy of visa prior to call.

Visa arrived in CDO Mindanao on morning of Thursday July 15.
Copy of K1 Visa sent to CFO at 12:20pm on July 15. 

10 minutes later they replied and scheduled a call for 1pm July 15.

CFO phone call lasted 40 minutes, in stark contrast to the K1 visa interview which literally lasted 2 minutes.

Told that they needed a copy of my drivers license along with copies of bills with my mailing address. 

 

Still yet to hear back after all these documents sent. Will see, but at least it appears to be moving quickly. Fingers crossed.

 

 

Edited July 15, 2021 by bolero_pa
timeline adjustment

[RO_AH 1,659]

11 hours ago, bolero_pa said:

CFO phone call lasted 40 minutes, in stark contrast to the K1 visa interview which literally lasted 2 minutes.

Told that they needed a copy of my drivers license along with copies of bills with my mailing address. 

Honestly that's just crazy. So if you didn't have a drivers license or bills in your name she would not be allowed to come? It's like the whole security guard/mall cop thing. Give someone a little power and....

My wife will be doing hers soon and I hope that they would be a little easier on a wife than a fiance. We have been in a relationship for 10 years, married almost 4 years, 2 children. I don't think we need someone that knows nothing about either of us sitting behind a desk asking for more proof of who I am and where I live.

[flicks1998 1,044]

28 minutes ago, RO_AH said:

Honestly that's just crazy. So if you didn't have a drivers license or bills in your name she would not be allowed to come? It's like the whole security guard/mall cop thing. Give someone a little power and....

My wife will be doing hers soon and I hope that they would be a little easier on a wife than a fiance. We have been in a relationship for 10 years, married almost 4 years, 2 children. I don't think we need someone that knows nothing about either of us sitting behind a desk asking for more proof of who I am and where I live.

They should be easier. Your wife just needs to bring it up on the call and the “counselling” will move along. I told my fiancé to stress that I had an 8 year old son, been working in Manila for 10+ years and the questions pretty much stopped then. Although for whatever reason the counselor wanted to know about my past relationships in ungodly detail. 
 

The asking for drivers license etc are the small qwerks that come up during this process. As I mentioned in other threads, some are even asked for a police clearance back in the US. The early questions of the seminar will be things such as where did you meet, how long together etc. I think it’s important for her to stress your knowledge on Filipino culture as well and have her give some examples.  Having the children as well will create no issues. Have your wife say they are missing their dad and any Filipino will typically do what they can to finalise any processes for you to be together. 

[bolero_pa 34]

Following up on the above follow-up. I'll repost the entire timeline as the certificate was emailed.

 

 - K1 Visa Interview was Thursday, July 8.

 - CFO online "office" only open from Mon-Thurs.

 - Monday July 12, contact made via online form to start CFO process, despite no in-hand visa.
 - CFO replied (same day I believe) saying they needed copy of visa prior to call.

 - Visa arrived in CDO Mindanao on morning of Thursday July 15.
 - Copy of K1 Visa sent to CFO at 12:20pm on July 15. 

 - 10 minutes later they replied and scheduled a call for 1pm July 15.

 - CFO phone call lasted 40 minutes, in stark contrast to the K1 visa interview which literally lasted 2 minutes. During call told that they needed a copy of my drivers license along with copies of bills with my mailing address. 

 - I sent copies of bills of mine with my name and address. Also sent a photo of my Drivers License.
 - Once the email with the other documents was sent, the certificate was emailed about three hours later at about 5:30pm on July 15.

 

It's worth noting that my fiancé also has an 11yo son coming here on a K2. His certificate had to be dealt with separately. His also arrived at 5:30pm July 15. What's kind of nutty is CFO says children under 12 need not be interviewed, but they do need a certificate. Unsure why - seems very bureaucratic. The certificates thus were both obtained about 1 week after the interview. I don't know if this is normal or not. I've heard horror stories taking months, but from what I gathered it might take 2-3 weeks on average. Hopefully a 1 week turnaround is the normal. My fiancé felt she had a good interviewer, so perhaps it's also somewhat luck of the draw.

 

The CFO process is uncertain and unclear to navigate. It's not very transparent, especially regarding timelines. Hopefully this post helps others. For sure gather all the documents they require and have them ready to email. That will certainly help.

Edited July 15, 2021 by bolero_pa
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[EdwardSnowden 13]

On 7/9/2021 at 12:33 PM, top_secret said:

 She made it out again last time but she is probably going to get a CFO before the next tourist visit to avoid being hassled about it.

 

 

Which CFO program/seminar would she apply for as a married tourist? (seeing that you're only SUPPOSED to have CFO if you're a engaged/married immigrant, and not SUPPOSED to need a CFO cert as a tourist...)

 

I'll probably have my lady do the CFO for our future tourist plans.

[Carpe Vinum 2,327]

Other threads in the Philippine forum may suggest that a comprehensive CFO seminar/interview might not be a bad thing after all.

[flicks1998 1,044]

8 hours ago, EdwardSnowden said:

 

Which CFO program/seminar would she apply for as a married tourist? (seeing that you're only SUPPOSED to have CFO if you're a engaged/married immigrant, and not SUPPOSED to need a CFO cert as a tourist...)

 

I'll probably have my lady do the CFO for our future tourist plans.

You may need to write them and ask.  However, be careful because the requirements they throw back at you may be impossible to obtain.  I had a friend try this earlier this year who lives in the PI on a SRRV visa but he had been out of the country for 8+ months and was going to have his long-term girlfriend meet him overseas.  Long-term meaning, 5+ years, lived at the same address and had drivers licenses with the same address, etc etc etc.  In short, he was asked for:

• Proof of residence in the US (he lived in the PI on a SRRV and hasnt had a residence in the US in many years
• Affidavit of financial support and invitation letter to Colombia
• An official Cenomar (or some kind of proof he wasnt married)
• Copies of his visas, passport, and all entries in the last 4 years
• Pictures of him with family 
• Travel itinerary
• Then he had to get all of this notarized and apostilled at the closest Philippine embassy to his US address (he does not have a US address), plus this process can take 3-5 months
• She would have to make her own Affidavit of Understanding where she explains reasons for her trip, where she is going, how long she will be gone, etc

In addition, questions asked were:

• How was her boyfriend able to retire at 41 as that is not possible
• How can he manage his income if he lives in the Philippines
• What is an SRRV visa
• Why are they not married if they are living together
• What are their romantic plans
• She was also told that he may be using her so he can stay in the Philippines.  (He already has an SRRV visa, and was able to retire early.)

Just more examples of people being treated like kids.  They decided to not pursue the CFO since it was impossible to get all of their crazy requirements.  Essentially, it comes down to the luck of the draw, do you get a sane counselor or one of the many insane ones.

 

 

[EdwardSnowden 13]

10 hours ago, flicks1998 said:

You may need to write them and ask.  However, be careful because the requirements they throw back at you may be impossible to obtain.  I had a friend try this earlier this year who lives in the PI on a SRRV visa but he had been out of the country for 8+ months and was going to have his long-term girlfriend meet him overseas.  Long-term meaning, 5+ years, lived at the same address and had drivers licenses with the same address, etc etc etc.  In short, he was asked for:

• Proof of residence in the US (he lived in the PI on a SRRV and hasnt had a residence in the US in many years
• Affidavit of financial support and invitation letter to Colombia
• An official Cenomar (or some kind of proof he wasnt married)
• Copies of his visas, passport, and all entries in the last 4 years
• Pictures of him with family 
• Travel itinerary
• Then he had to get all of this notarized and apostilled at the closest Philippine embassy to his US address (he does not have a US address), plus this process can take 3-5 months
• She would have to make her own Affidavit of Understanding where she explains reasons for her trip, where she is going, how long she will be gone, etc

In addition, questions asked were:

• How was her boyfriend able to retire at 41 as that is not possible
• How can he manage his income if he lives in the Philippines
• What is an SRRV visa
• Why are they not married if they are living together
• What are their romantic plans
• She was also told that he may be using her so he can stay in the Philippines.  (He already has an SRRV visa, and was able to retire early.)

Just more examples of people being treated like kids.  They decided to not pursue the CFO since it was impossible to get all of their crazy requirements.  Essentially, it comes down to the luck of the draw, do you get a sane counselor or one of the many insane ones.

 

 

These "rules" are absolutely insane. It's no wonder this country is so rife with corruption.  If it's impossible to comply with requirements, a person finds alternate means. And most bizarre is that these aren't even rules, having CFO do BI's job for them, requiring processes designed for immigrants and using them for tourists. 

[top_secret 2,414]

As far as CFO being asked of tourists, I've been seeing a number of anecdotal accounts over the last month or so that Philippine Immigration at Cebu City has moderated a bit and has been being somewhat more reasonable lately.  Manila continues to be ridiculous.   If someone fits a profile that might be higher risk of getting offloaded, speculation on the street is that they may have a better chance of success departing from Cebu rather than Manila.

 

[geezerpl 1]

On 7/8/2021 at 7:47 PM, flicks1998 said:

A few things to note though is you dont get to pick a CFO counselor.  One will reach out to you once you have asked for the counseling.  Some people have received a counselor who was not very responsive and communication took awhile.  Others have received a counselor who wanted even more additional information, some even asking for police certificates etc on the USC which can take awhile to get.  

 

It is possible though to replace an unfriendly counselor through an official complaint or by re-registering using a different email.

Saw this info in a few groups on Facebook (one group is CFO SEMINAR) and confirmed with a lawyer in Manila.

 

One can also message a particular counselor knowing his/her email and ask to be processed (subject to a bit longer wait time)

 

[geezerpl 1]

On 7/9/2021 at 12:52 PM, bolero_pa said:

CFO likely less inclined to place as many demands on K1 visas, as those couples have already been well scrutinized and the title includes “fiancé“ rather than “tourist.”

Yes and no.

 

Heard of about 20 cases. Each time diiferent requirements and interview experience.

Important factors apparently:

• AGE GAP
• LENGTH OF RELATIONSHIP
• DESTINATION COUNTRY 

 

[geezerpl 1]

On 8/24/2021 at 6:35 AM, top_secret said:

As far as CFO being asked of tourists, I've been seeing a number of anecdotal accounts over the last month or so that Philippine Immigration at Cebu City has moderated a bit and has been being somewhat more reasonable lately.  Manila continues to be ridiculous.   If someone fits a profile that might be higher risk of getting offloaded, speculation on the street is that they may have a better chance of success departing from Cebu rather than Manila.

 

 

Apparently it is not worth trying.

IO's have a chat group and exchange intel on offloaded Filipinas. Waste of time and money to try different airports. Only way is to hire an immigration attorney and ask him to assist at the airport for the 2nd attempt