CFO Manila Review, September 2013

[Mike&Janssel 2]

The last stage of hardship here in the Philippines is the CFO GCP (for me, I think)

I was worried about getting this CFO seminar because of what I'm hearing/reading about the 'bad' experiences of some applicants. There are good reviews too but of course, you wanted to finish everything soon so you want it to end without any problems.

The early bird you are the better slot you have on the 'RAMP LINE'. I got there 3:23am and I was on 12 in line. Some applicants got there 2 or 1am I think? We were counting each head and asking where is the country so we know if we will be on the 15 slots in the morning session. The Ramp Line consist of Spouse and Fiancee in different country and some immigrant visa lined there but they went to PDOS line which is in the stairs and not on the ramp. So the waiting game of opening the gate was not so bad. You will have instant friends there and you will not be bored if you know how to mingle with other applicants. Hahaha I think all of us are like that. Anyway, we had a lot of time to talk about the seminar or remind each other of what needed and other information. Some are not prepared and they didn't bring any proofs. So I'm reminding everyone who will read this that bring all proofs you brought in the embassy interview because you never know what the counselor will ask you to show. Very important also you have pictures because they take some of it and keep it so better have a copy of those too.

6:30AM Ground floor Reception

the gate opened but it was about 7 when they start letting applicants inside.

Needed:

2 IDs (government IDS, NBI Clearance is acceptable) make sure to photocopy that.

To those with Visa in hand try to download the Registration Form and fill it up because it will save you time and it will help you to get inside the 15 applicants slot and I will tell you why later. But they give that form in the reception if you didnt bring any.

Passport

They will give you ID says F its a pink and white. They are color coded there so always wear that ID. They will ask you to come to the door next to the reception and you will see a lot of seats and table. You can fill up those form there while waiting for the announcement that those with F Pink and white ID holder will go to 3rd floor.

3rd floor.

Use the stairs and not the elevator. It will take you forever to get there. I'll give you hints. The early you get to the 3rd floor and get a CFO form (I dont know the name or title ) that you need to fill up again the big chance you will get in the 15 slots. That form is quite similar to the Registration Form but you have to remember and be careful on what you will answer on the CFO form because that's where the counselor will base all the questions she/he will ask you and write eligible. So here is the hint I told you. If you get the CFO form and answer them quickly but surely, you have to line up again at the reception where they gave you that form and the receptionist will line you up in the picture taking session that is just on her/his side. Hahaha its only one table. So goodluck with that. Because there are applicants got in the 15 slots that came about 6 or 7am so better secure your line.

The receptionist will ask you this:

The Registration Form

The CFO Form

Photocopy of your Visa

Photocopy of your Passport Bio page

Photocopy of your IDs

Passport

That receptionist will ask you some questions and check your form so in order not to miss your line make sure your answers and ask her right away if you are confuse. And oh better have 2x2 picture or 1x1 picture.

Next is the picture taking session. They will input your information in computer and get a picture of you that will be put on the CFO Certificate so SMILE!

After that, they will tell you to your designation room. THere is USA, CANADA, EUROPE, JAPAN, KOREA (I think ). For me its USA. I got 8 slot.

8:00 USA Room

The seminar always start on 9:00AM. So if you are hungry you can go out and find food outside or eat inside they will not see you anyway. But make sure you go back before 9 because they are punctual there.

9:00AM USA Room

The counselor counted us and called our name for attendance. She is a jolly and approachable counselor. First, her approach or counseling is with group session. So we grouped ourselves and tell to assign leader to justify our answers on the questions she will ask. I chose to be leader . Then after that group discussions and explanations we started our real informative seminar. She talks in English and Tagalog so its easy to open up in the room to put your opinions, answers and questions in the seminar. The topics on the slideshow she showed us are very informative and useful.

11AM 3rd floor ONE-ON-ONE Interview

So I was on 8 slot my name called about 11:45AM. The same counselor who conducted the seminar will be the same interviewer. In her table all my papers I passed are in there. Counselor take note of what you are answering and put that on the forms. Expect that she will ask many questions.

Questions:

How many of your siblings?(Its written and answered on the CFO Form)

Your fiance is single?No divorce?Children?

How you met him?When?Where?

How many times he visit? (I know right? LIke Embassy interview questions)

She was satisfied to all the answers and follow up questions regarding of what I answered then she asked for proof of relationship. I showed her the same pictures I showed in the Embassy and gave to her a book that contains all the evidences of relationship. She read my emails, chats,the certificate of engagement counseling and other stuff in there. She took time to read some details there. She looked at the pictures and asked who are the people in there. Then she picked 4 pictures of us and asked that she will keep it so I said ok. Then she was satisfied to all the information and asked nothing else and she said she was confident because I have nearest/relatives that live in US so I know who to contact and ask for help if needed. Yes, they are so particular of those and wanted the Filipinos knows where to call and who are the people in US. May I remind you that please memorize your fiance's mother's maiden name. Some applicant fail to answer there and needed to call their fiance right away and put them on waiting time. Haha. Educational Attainment too and course.

12:00PM Ground Floor (Payment and Releasing)

After the counselor tell you that you passed you will be ask to go to the room where you went first. Wait for the name to be call in Window 1. Pay 400 and gave you receipt. Wait for your name to be called on Window 2. That's the releasing of your CFO Sticker and CFO Certificate. For those who have no Visa yet, only CFO Certificate and needed to come back for the Sticker. No need to be in seminar or wake up early. The officer will tell you that the Certificate is life long use unless you will change petitioner. Don't give the original because you have to pay 800 for replacement and affidavit of lost. He explained also the use of the sticker at the airport. Gave feedback form to be send once I get in the US and booklet. I wrote my numbers in their records and ok to go. FINALLY!

1:15PM Reception/Guard

Surrender the ID and gave back my ID. And went home!

Just be confident on your answers, be firm but not too strict that you will show more attitude than you should have to. Smile and be polite. Be honest and don't be intimidate if they ask a lot of questions. Don't be too shy and answer all the questions and you will be good to go. And oh, show proofs she is asking so you wont be on temporary hold and have to come back. You can have time to call or text your partner to ask questions if needed.

I'm just so glad that its done and just waiting for my AIRPLANE. whahahha

Praise be to GOD.

Exhausting day! Goodluck to those who will get it soon.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K-1 Process to Phil. Regional Forum~

~Topic is Phil.-specific~

[babygirl28 4]

That is very informative! Thank you for sharing! Have a safe trip!

[Mike&Janssel 2]

That is very informative! Thank you for sharing! Have a safe trip!

Thank you very much.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Thanks for sharing your CFO experience. It was very informative and I enjoyed reading it.

Bookmarked!

[Tintin and Mike 127]

Awesome review, congrats and good luck!

[Mike&Janssel 2]

Thanks for sharing your CFO experience. It was very informative and I enjoyed reading it.

Bookmarked!

Hahahha <blush> Thank you. I'm very excited to share it because there are applicants who are not aware.

Awesome review, congrats and good luck!

Thank you. And yes I need Good luck to the next step! Flying!

[babygirl28 4]

By the way, if i may ask how do you get the certificate of engagement counseling? Just curious. Thanks!

[babeej 1]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! HOPE YOU'LL HAVE A SAFE TRIP AND GOD BLESS!!!!

[Mike&Janssel 2]

By the way, if i may ask how do you get the certificate of engagement counseling? Just curious. Thanks!

Before my fiance asked for my hand, he attended pre-engagement counseling in US. Then my fiance rely all the things they tackle and the counselor gives us questionnaires we have to answer and discuss and that my fiance will tell to the counselor on next meeting. We had roughly 6 sessions. We do that on skype chat so everything is online. Hahaha. But the certificate was issued to my fiance given by the counselor. We were lucky she let this kind of counseling (It was her first time to do this too).

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! HOPE YOU'LL HAVE A SAFE TRIP AND GOD BLESS!!!!

You're welcome and thank you too....

Edited September 3, 2013 by Mike&Janssel

[Hank_ 9,174]

Congrats! Last hurdle done!!

Next the long flight....

[Mike&Janssel 2]

Congrats! Last hurdle done!!

Next the long flight....

Oh yes Hank!!!!!

I would like to thank you for the support and comments. Thank you.

[Hank_ 9,174]

- Next!! North Carolina!

[Mike&Janssel 2]

- Next!! North Carolina!

Correct! So NC should be ready. Hahahah.

[Netsikai 20]

Congratulations....very very nice review...I am glad that you wrote your experience with CFO on line...thank you so much for the review....Good luck on your USA journey...God bless.