Do I need to attend CFO - Pre Departure Seminar in the Philippines

[charmingangel 1]

Just an update regarding my predicament concerning the CFO sticker and Pre- Departure Seminar. I emailed the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines regarding the matter. After almost 3 weeks, I received and email from their agency informing me that we don't need to attend the said seminar and we don't need the certificate nor the CFO Stickers since we are just mere " transit" passengers. But we were reminded that we need to stay inside the airport and not go out anymore during the 8 hour lay-over in Manila, otherwise when we go out and enter again and pass through the Immigration, we will be subject to Philippine policies and regulations and the PH IO will ask for the certicate and stickers that are required from first time immigrants to the USA. I have a hard copy of the email just in case if anyone ask us about it, we will be ready to show the email. Well that was really a big relief for me. Now I can have peace of mind while waiting for our connecting flight to LA, CA. Praying and hoping that my kids and I will have a "trouble-free" trip to the USA.

[rtvt 0]

I already have my k1 visa on hand and our wedding is already on set but I can't fly to the US because My counselor in Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO - Cebu) is giving me hard time to get sticker from them for me to leave the country.

I just want to ask if is there a way that I can skip the CFO? Because I have read online that the cfo is only required in Manila airport for those Filipino with immigrant visa.

Me and my fiance discuss about buying a round trip ticket to the visa free country, then I will stay to that country for a couple of days. But instead of going back to Philippines, I will fly from that country to the US. I won't use my round trip ticket to go back to Philippines, I will just buy round trip ticket so that if the immigration sees my visa, I will just tell them that Im gonna have a short vacation to that visa free country and my round trip ticket will be the proof..

how's that idea?

[Brassballs 47]

Sounds like it would work. Unless they have seen that before. Don't know how they will view the US visa without cfo stamp. I would think that saying you want to visit Thailand or ??? before going to US and you have cfo interview scheduled after you return from Thailand would be ok.

The cfo session really is beneficial although a pain in the a** and most of the counselors are truly looking out for the well being of the immigrant. What problem does he/she see preventing issuing a stamp?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

It won't work. Youll be stopped at immigration as they will see the us visa in your passport and turn you away for not having completed CFO.

If your getting a bad time at CFO Manila then try Cebu where most past with no problems whereas Manila can be a pain.

Edited May 12, 2016 by Greenbaum

[rtvt 0]

It won't work. Youll be stopped at immigration as they will see the us visa in your passport and turn you away for not having completed CFO.

If your getting a bad time at CFO Manila then try Cebu where most past with no problems whereas Manila can be a pain.

I went to cfo Cebu twice and the counselor still giving me hard time.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I already have my k1 visa on hand and our wedding is already on set but I can't fly to the US because My counselor in Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO - Cebu) is giving me hard time to get sticker from them for me to leave the country.

I just want to ask if is there a way that I can skip the CFO? Because I have read online that the cfo is only required in Manila airport for those Filipino with immigrant visa.

Me and my fiance discuss about buying a round trip ticket to the visa free country, then I will stay to that country for a couple of days. But instead of going back to Philippines, I will fly from that country to the US. I won't use my round trip ticket to go back to Philippines, I will just buy round trip ticket so that if the immigration sees my visa, I will just tell them that Im gonna have a short vacation to that visa free country and my round trip ticket will be the proof..

how's that idea?

NO! You can not skip or bypass CFO, you need the sticker to exit the country. You have a visa in your passport, once that is noted at the airport you will NOT be allowed to exit no matter what country you are trying to fly to, plus it doesn't matter what airport you try to fly out of... you WILL NOT be allowed to exit.

What issue are you having with CFO? There is a link to CFO in the link below in my signature, follow the flashing arrow.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I went to cfo Cebu twice and the counselor still giving me hard time.

Why is the counselor giving you a hard time? Are you meek, timid, shy? Does you fiance have multiple divorces? Are you very young and there is a large age gap? Give us some details so we may help.

Sounds like it would work. Unless they have seen that before. Don't know how they will view the US visa without cfo stamp. I would think that saying you want to visit Thailand or ??? before going to US and you have cfo interview scheduled after you return from Thailand would be ok.

The cfo session really is beneficial although a pain in the a** and most of the counselors are truly looking out for the well being of the immigrant. What problem does he/she see preventing issuing a stamp?

It will never work ... others have tried and failed

[Delsour 0]

Hello,Wanted to ask if you are working abroad like Macau or Thailand do you still need the CFO.You apply your K1visa abroad.? Thank you for the reply.It is highly appreciated.

[Hank_ 9,174]

1 hour ago, Delsour said:

Hello,Wanted to ask if you are working abroad like Macau or Thailand do you still need the CFO.You apply your K1visa abroad.? Thank you for the reply.It is highly appreciated.

 

If you are completing the visa processing in Macau or Thailand. flying directly to the USA then you do not need CFO.   

 

CFO is a requirement for exiting emigrates (from within the Philippines)