Manila's CFO Seminar

[dustonio 1]

What is the deal with this CFO Seminar for Filipino immigrants? If they have a visa in hand, can't they leave their country? It seems the CFO Seminar is another way for the Philippine government to fleece money from their citizens.

What are the repercussions if my wife attempts to leave for the US without having completed the CFO Seminar?

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Moving this to the Philippines sub-forum for replies -- you're likely to get a better response there than in the DCF forum.

[RonMay 1]

What is the deal with this CFO Seminar for Filipino immigrants? If they have a visa in hand, can't they leave their country? It seems the CFO Seminar is another way for the Philippine government to fleece money from their citizens.

What are the repercussions if my wife attempts to leave for the US without having completed the CFO Seminar?

then your wife i believe will not be allowed to get in to the plane and leave phil... i saw it happened (2 older women trying to check-in and since their visa required a CFO sticker/stamp on their passport, they get hold and cant leave)

the purpose of the CFO is to help women in case if such spousal abuse occur. of course it doesnt mean every foreign spouse abuses their partner, but if it does happen, they will tell you where to go (shelter) and how to report etc... CFO does this too i believe for those who wants to work abroad (so its a mandatory for migrant workers also as far as i know)... its a process... some would think its a waste of money (P600) but some think its helpful... its ok for me coz they're also trying to help you and guide what to do if its your first time leaving abroad and what not to bring at the airport etc

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

[spartan 2]

What is the deal with this CFO Seminar for Filipino immigrants? If they have a visa in hand, can't they leave their country? It seems the CFO Seminar is another way for the Philippine government to fleece money from their citizens.

What are the repercussions if my wife attempts to leave for the US without having completed the CFO Seminar?

She can't leave and the immigration in the International Airport in the Philippines will not allow her to pass through and definitely would now allow her to be on the plane. Without the CFO sticker in her passport, visa is useless. She can't fly and meet you. There's nothing we can do but follow the government rules. CFO seminar contains information for the trip, and for the new life that your wife will have with you here in U.S.

Edited May 21, 2009 by spartan

[BJZags 17]

I've only heard of one story where the tales of horror and "scary videos" they played shocked the young filipina enough to call off the engagement. Just tell her to be aware that they will attempt to portray the "worst" side of life abroad, and take it with a grain of salt!

[o0pink0o 3]

What is the deal with this CFO Seminar for Filipino immigrants? If they have a visa in hand, can't they leave their country? It seems the CFO Seminar is another way for the Philippine government to fleece money from their citizens.

What are the repercussions if my wife attempts to leave for the US without having completed the CFO Seminar?

then your wife i believe will not be allowed to get in to the plane and leave phil... i saw it happened (2 older women trying to check-in and since their visa required a CFO sticker/stamp on their passport, they get hold and cant leave)

the purpose of the CFO is to help women in case if such spousal abuse occur. of course it doesnt mean every foreign spouse abuses their partner, but if it does happen, they will tell you where to go (shelter) and how to report etc... CFO does this too i believe for those who wants to work abroad (so its a mandatory for migrant workers also as far as i know)... its a process... some would think its a waste of money (P600) but some think its helpful... its ok for me coz they're also trying to help you and guide what to do if its your first time leaving abroad and what not to bring at the airport etc

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

[sasha414 0]

no cfo sticker, no boarding

[chinese_mutt 11]

What is the deal with this CFO Seminar for Filipino immigrants? If they have a visa in hand, can't they leave their country? It seems the CFO Seminar is another way for the Philippine government to fleece money from their citizens.

What are the repercussions if my wife attempts to leave for the US without having completed the CFO Seminar?

It is not much of a money compared to the hassle of not being able to board.

You've gone this far... why stop at the CFO seminar?

This is a good way to help Filipino immigrants (and workers abroad) to get a glimpse of life abroad and know what to do when they get into trouble.

Not everybody is knowledgeable about these things. To you it may sound silly and just another goverment BS, to the rest of the Filipinos who do suffer abuse and maltreatment it is a life saver. So really.. who are you to say this is just another way to fleece money from their citizens?

I believe that the fee might be a bit high but frankly to those who suffered abuse and was able to obtain help because of the CFO seminar won't think so. They'd think it is a damn good program and everybody should attend it even if the fee is ten times as much. Don't underestimate the power of knowledge... it might be nothing to you... but it can be a lifesaver in some instances.

[Dakine 26]

What is the deal with this CFO Seminar for Filipino immigrants? If they have a visa in hand, can't they leave their country? It seems the CFO Seminar is another way for the Philippine government to fleece money from their citizens.

What are the repercussions if my wife attempts to leave for the US without having completed the CFO Seminar?

CFO is a good thing. Mainly the peeps attending get information on what they can do if their new mate turns out to be a abuser or worse.

Happening more and more in the computer age.

P650 isn't that much to help protect your mate!

[Zuiko 0]

What is the deal with this CFO Seminar for Filipino immigrants? If they have a visa in hand, can't they leave their country? It seems the CFO Seminar is another way for the Philippine government to fleece money from their citizens.

What are the repercussions if my wife attempts to leave for the US without having completed the CFO Seminar?

Safety 1st

[maritoni 3]

Pre-Departure Registration and Orientation Seminar is a requirement prior to departure. Pre-Departure Registration

Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad are required to register with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). Part of its registration requirements is attendance in the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) to prepare them for settlement overseas. Counseling Program to help facilitate their adjustment to a new environment.

program development.

Country-specific pre-departure orientation seminars are conducted for departing Filipino emigrants to address their adjustment concerns in their destination countries. In these seminars, various topics are discussed such as:

Travel regulations;

Immigration procedures;

Cultural differences;

Settlement concerns;

Employment and social security concerns; and

Rights and obligations of Filipino migrants.

So your SO needs to know her rights when she landed in the US...Good luck!

[Jose Rizal 1]

What is the deal with this CFO Seminar for Filipino immigrants? If they have a visa in hand, can't they leave their country? It seems the CFO Seminar is another way for the Philippine government to fleece money from their citizens.

What are the repercussions if my wife attempts to leave for the US without having completed the CFO Seminar?

What's the deal for the US gov't charging hundreds of dollars for immigration compared to the $12 (PHP600)?

[Dakine 26]

What is the deal with this CFO Seminar for Filipino immigrants? If they have a visa in hand, can't they leave their country? It seems the CFO Seminar is another way for the Philippine government to fleece money from their citizens.

What are the repercussions if my wife attempts to leave for the US without having completed the CFO Seminar?

OOOPS! Wait until you/she have to pay the P1620 travel tax plus the P750 terminal fee. I'll agree on them both being a ripoff!

[Joan >3 Bob 20]

What is the deal with this CFO Seminar for Filipino immigrants? If they have a visa in hand, can't they leave their country? It seems the CFO Seminar is another way for the Philippine government to fleece money from their citizens.

What are the repercussions if my wife attempts to leave for the US without having completed the CFO Seminar?

OOOPS! Wait until you/she have to pay the P1620 travel tax plus the P750 terminal fee. I'll agree on them both being a ripoff!

I agree the seminar is appropriate to a point but they go too far... like wanting copies of the USA fiance's divorce decree.. That has already been given at the I-129 Petition and interview at the Embassy. CFO has no right demanding these things and denying the CFO stamp if you do not provide. In some cases the CFO seminar is like another embassy interview. Especially of you go to Taft Avenue PRISM. It is an all day very frustrating experience and the USA Fiance is not allowed in because they do not want him to hear then telling the women how the fiancee will beat them and turn them into prostitutes! It scares a lot of women. But we have to go through it or your fiancee can not board the plane to depart the Philippines.

[Rocky_nBullwinkle 6]

What is the deal with this CFO Seminar for Filipino immigrants? If they have a visa in hand, can't they leave their country? It seems the CFO Seminar is another way for the Philippine government to fleece money from their citizens.

What are the repercussions if my wife attempts to leave for the US without having completed the CFO Seminar?

Your wife will not be allowed to leave the Philippines if she won't have a CFO sticker on her passport. Better be done with the CFO or else suffer the consequences of flight delay

Edited May 22, 2009 by Rocky_nBullwinkle