Successful CFO in Manila!

[Stevephoto 230]

Joan had her CFO seminar this morning and had no problem! She met a lady from a Facebook group that we all belong to and they both passed with no issues! Note though that they were both K-1. Joan got there at about 4:45 in the morning and Eky was already there. Joan was already number 7 in line that early! There were 16 people in the class and 10 were held for 1-1 sessions. Joan thinks that all 10 who were held were going for a spouse visa and the issues were mostly about paperwork like divorce decrees. Joan was asked for only her two IDs. Passport and postal worked. She was NOT asked for her cenomar nor her parental advice (after all that drama a month ago to get it)! They only asked Joan to see my birth certificate and only kept copies of her ID. They did not even ask for photos! BUT Joan said that it seemed to be a case by case basis for what applicants were asked for. All in all Joan seems to have had an easier time that I did sweating it out in the hotel with intermittent wifi to check Facebook updates!

[Memphis 26]

Great news.. Congrats.. Where did she attend the CFO, in Cebu or Manila?

[Stevephoto 230]

Great news.. Congrats.. Where did she attend the CFO, in Cebu or Manila?

Manila!

[Mrs.Presson 16]

Hi! Eky here! I posted a walkthrough/review here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/433264-cfo-seminar-in-manila-may-30-2013/

[Robb&Ann 101]

wow!!! congratulations steve and joan!

i hope it will also be a smooth CFO "journey" for me too.. and to other beneficiaries when the time comes...

i agree. it must be a case to case basis at cfo too..

all the preparations were paid off!!! congrats!!!

[Mrs Carrot 89]

ConGrats

[Louis and Aya 17]

I think it depends on who's doing the interviewing. If they are having a power trip or a bad day it could have been much worse.

They asked Aya all kinds of things (we are K1 also) like my mother's maiden name, my salary, for the Cenomar, my Divorce Decree and all kinds of fun things. This was in Cebu though.

[Natsukiii 35]

Congrats on your successful CFO Seminar! I have a question- does the beneficiary need to have their passport? My wife doesn't have her passport yet... we were planning on applying for that after her CFO Seminar. We are applying for a CR-1 and just received NOA1. We have plenty of time but wanted to get things done early.

Edited May 30, 2013 by Ema ♥ Jin

[Hank_ 9,174]

You need to do CFO to get a passport if I remember correctly.

[Bayareaguy 156]

AFAIK, my fiance never did a CFO before getting her passport.

[Natsukiii 35]

You need to do CFO to get a passport if I remember correctly.

Thanks Hank, I hope this is the case. She's planning on heading to CFO as soon as she wakes up in about 3 hours.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Have you checked the DFA website? Best to make sure of what is needed.

For spouse of foreign national:

• Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of MC issued by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) and duly authenticated by NSO. Transcribed Marriage Contract from the LCR is required when entries in NSO Marriage Contract are blurred or unreadable.
• Report of Marriage duly authenticated by NSO if married abroad
• Original and photocopy of Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO) Guidance and Counseling Certificate of Attendance (required for first time applicants or renewal of passport to be used for the first time the surname of the husband)

Edited May 30, 2013 by Hank_

[Natsukiii 35]

Have you checked the DFA website? Best to make sure of what is needed.

For spouse of foreign national:

• Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of MC issued by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) and duly authenticated by NSO. Transcribed Marriage Contract from the LCR is required when entries in NSO Marriage Contract are blurred or unreadable.
• Report of Marriage duly authenticated by NSO if married abroad
• Original and photocopy of Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO) Guidance and Counseling Certificate of Attendance (required for first time applicants or renewal of passport to be used for the first time the surname of the husband)

Thanks Hank. Those are the requirements for passport I think. I was hoping that a passport is not required to take the CFO Seminar.

I found this on the CFO website:

Requirements for Attendance to Guidance and Counseling Program

1. Two (2) valid identification cards (IDs) with photograph;
2. Duly completed guidance and counseling form;
3. If married, original and photocopy of marriage contract on security paper from the National Statistics Office, or Local Civil Registry Offices; or original and photocopy of marriage contract duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/ Consulate (if married abroad)
4. Other documents as may be required by the counselors; and
5. Payment of P400.00 counseling fee.

But then it says this right below:

Requirements for Registration

1. Original and photocopy of Passport;
2. Original and photocopy of visa
3. Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary for US-bound emigrants (except for K visa holders);
4. Original and photocopy of Confirmation of Permanent Residence for Canada-bound emigrants;
5. Original and photocopy of Certification of Eligibility for Japan-bound emigrants;
6. Original CFO guidance and counseling certificate;
7. Duly completed emigrant registration form; and
8. Payment of the authorized registration fee.

So I'm a little confused. Does this mean she does need her passport?

Justin

[Hank_ 9,174]

Yes you need a passport for CFO for immigrants, but you also need CFO to acquire a passport, which is why I posted that info.

[Natsukiii 35]

Yes you need a passport for CFO for immigrants, but you also need CFO to acquire a passport, which is why I posted that info.

Thanks Hank! That helps a lot! Also, I sent you a PM. Please take a look when you get a chance. I appreciate your help.