We were wondering what to expect at CFO, how long will it take and also....what is this?

#3 Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary for US bound/Confirmation of Permanent Residence for Canada bound/ Embassy Certification of Eligibility (for Spain bound C visa holders);

Thanks....david

From Sheriff Uling's thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=68967

The CFO requirement consists of two parts:

Part 1, Guidance and Counseling Seminar (a certificate of completion is given at the conclusion); and
Part 2, a CFO Sticker placed inside of the passport/visa (requires the Guidance and Counseling Certificate).

The beneficiary is NOT required to have the visa in-hand in order to attend the Guidance and Counceling Seminar. However, the Guidance and Counseling Certificate along with the visa are required in order to have the CFO Sticker placed inside the K1 Visa for both the Cebu and Manila CFO locations. If the beneficiary is going to take the Guidance and Counceling Seminar before the visa is in-hand, consider calling the CFO beforehand to avoid any potential problems. In Cebu, the Guidance and Counseling Seminar is adminstered by St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation-Center for Overseas Workers (SMEF-COW) located at 3F Aya-ay Arcade, 60 Mango Avenue, Cebu City (near San Carlos Boys High). Conversely, in Manila, the Guidance and Counseling Seminar is administered at People's Reform Initiative for Social Mobilization Inc. (PRISM). For both the CFO in Cebu located at Causing-Lozada Bldg., Osmeña Blvd. corner M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City (near DFA Cebu) and the CFO in Manila location, the CFO Sticker will be applied to the visa despite the location where the Guidance and Counseling Certificate was issued.

CFO NOTE: The CFO Guidance and Counseling Seminar is not stated as a requirement within the Packet 4 instructions. However, after the visa is approved, instructions on attending the CFO Guidance and Counseling seminar are included in the visa and Port of Entry (POE) package delivered by DELBROS to the beneficiary. Travel abroad is prohibited without the CFO sticker within the beneficiary's visa (the visa is within the passport, as stated in Section 6.1). Attending the CFO Guidance and Counseling Seminar is a Philippine government requirement which states, "Per Republic Act 8239 and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Order 28-94, Filipinos proceeding abroad as fiancé(e)s and spouses of foreign nationals are required to attend the CFO's guidance and counseling programs... " For more info [CLICK HERE].

Just to add:


This is based from my own experience. I took the CFO guidance and counseling at PRISM. Make sure your fiancee brings all the pertinent documents i.e. divorce decree/death certificate (if previously married), pictures, etc. They might also ask her questions that will prove if you two know each other well. Make sure she knows your mother's maiden name (they asked me that). Just expect that they will try to make sure your fiancee knows what she's doing and what she's getting herself into...

Good luck!

--Mae

IMMIGRANT DATA SUMMARY (IDS): is the page attached to the visa packet for those with Immigrant Visa like CR-1/IR-1. K-visas don't have this page. IDS have the following data:
A-number, Case ID, Family Name, First Name, Gender, Marital Status, City and Country of Birth, Birth Date, City and Country of Last Residence, Nationality, Mother's First Name, Father's First Name, Final Address in the U.S., Occupation, Plase of Issuance, Issue Visa Clas, FSC Coe, Issue Date, Visa Expiration Date, Passport Number, Other Travel Document Info, and Annotation. It also bears the photo of the visa holder, barcode and a box for the Admission Stamp (at POE).

CFO can take only a day if you already have tour visa but you may have to attend the first session of the seminar. You cam attend the Counseling/Seminar if in Manila either at SMEF-COWS in Quezon City or at PRISM in Manila. A video will be shown then there will be a group discussion and a one-on-one discussion. After that they will give you a yellow certificate. You will need to photocopy that certificate then proceed to the CFO at Quririno Ave. There, you will be given a green certificate and they will place a "stamp" on your passport and then you're free to leave the Country any time.

hi david,

pls check on this website.. this is the website of the CFO.. this will help you a lot most especially in knowing the schedule of the seminar as well as the requirements.. if you are here in manila try calling the phone number shown in their website coz they will give you the exact location where they conduct CFO guidance and counselling.. i attended the CFO guidance and counselling 3 months ago in Good Shepherd Convent, Aurora Blvd katipunan Quezon City.

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/fs_manila.htm

gen

Only took one day....a little uncomfortable, but all in all Jenny was treated very nicely

We have only 5 more days and we will be back in eachothers arms again !

That's wonderful! I'm very happy for the two of you. I could still remember my anxiousness, nervousness, enthusiasm and excitement of being with my sweetheart again. It's heaven to finally be here with him.


--Mae