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Commission on Filipinos Overseas

By bowgirl in US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

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bowgirl Community Regular

bowgirl   8

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Is it really necessary to register with CFO after receipt of US VISA? When I renewed my passport using my foreign husband's name, they told me I had to attend the seminar (counseling program) because the Certificate of Attendance is needed for the passport renewal. It's just so silly because...what's the use of that program when you're already married..? It's just a waste of money..!

September 2007-- Met Online (FilipinaHeart.com)
March 12,2009-- Married at Quezon City Hall of Justice
USCIS/NVC STAGE
May 8,2009-- I-130 Sent
August 17,2009-- I-130 Approved
August 26, 2009--case received at NVC
November 5,2009--CASE COMPLETED
USEM MANILA STAGE/ U.S. SOIL
November 17-18,2009--Medical PASSED
December 10, 2009--Interview @ 8:30AM A-P-P-R-O-V-E-D
January 25, 2010--FLIGHT(Manila-Japan-Detroit,MI-Buffalo,NY)
February 22,2010-- 2-yr GREEN CARD received
February 26, 2010--SSN received
REMOVING of CONDITIONS
December 22, 2011-- I-751 mailed
February 28, 2012-- Biometrics done
October 10, 2012-- 10-yr GREEN CARD received
NATURALIZATION
January 09, 2013-- sent N-400
January 28, 2013-- Biometrics

May 22, 2013-- Interview Passed- Officially a US Citizen!

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happywifeymom Proficient

happywifeymom   4

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted
Is it really necessary to register with CFO after receipt of US VISA? When I renewed my passport using my foreign husband's name, they told me I had to attend the seminar (counseling program) because the Certificate of Attendance is needed for the passport renewal. It's just so silly because...what's the use of that program when you're already married..? It's just a waste of money..!

Yes it is not just necessary it is required. The certificate will be stamped in your passport.

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MikenKyhen Collaborator

MikenKyhen   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted
Is it really necessary to register with CFO after receipt of US VISA? When I renewed my passport using my foreign husband's name, they told me I had to attend the seminar (counseling program) because the Certificate of Attendance is needed for the passport renewal. It's just so silly because...what's the use of that program when you're already married..? It's just a waste of money..!

I'm not sure what the use of it is even if your not married yet. :whistle:

IT'S NOT THE DESTINATION ITS THE JOURNEY...AND WHAT A JOURNEY IT HAS BEEN

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meant4eachother Contributor

meant4eachother   0

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Hi! Speaking of which, how much is the fee for the seminar? Thanks!

K1

Interview Date: 07-24-09 PASSED!! Thank you Lord! :)

Visa In Hand: 07-30-09

POE-LAX: 08-07-09

Wedding: 09-09-09

AOS

Mailed AOS Packet: 10-22-09

Received Packet: 10-25-09

Check cashed: 11-02-09

NOA I-797: 11-02-09

Biometrics: 11-24-09

*Walked-In: 11-06-09(Biometrics) WEE! ;)

EAD Card Production: 12-16-09

AP: 12-17-09

Green Card notification: 12-24-09

Welcome Letter: 12-26-09

Green Card Mailed: 12-28-09

Green Card Received: 12-30-09

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bowgirl Community Regular

bowgirl   8

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Hi! Speaking of which, how much is the fee for the seminar? Thanks!

[/quot

Counseling fee is 250.00, 400.00 for CFO registration. They will issue 2 kinds of certificates ( blue for counseling and green for CFO). Once you have the VISA, you have to come back there and show the green certificate and they will stamp your passport as proof that you have been registered on CFO.

September 2007-- Met Online (FilipinaHeart.com)
March 12,2009-- Married at Quezon City Hall of Justice
USCIS/NVC STAGE
May 8,2009-- I-130 Sent
August 17,2009-- I-130 Approved
August 26, 2009--case received at NVC
November 5,2009--CASE COMPLETED
USEM MANILA STAGE/ U.S. SOIL
November 17-18,2009--Medical PASSED
December 10, 2009--Interview @ 8:30AM A-P-P-R-O-V-E-D
January 25, 2010--FLIGHT(Manila-Japan-Detroit,MI-Buffalo,NY)
February 22,2010-- 2-yr GREEN CARD received
February 26, 2010--SSN received
REMOVING of CONDITIONS
December 22, 2011-- I-751 mailed
February 28, 2012-- Biometrics done
October 10, 2012-- 10-yr GREEN CARD received
NATURALIZATION
January 09, 2013-- sent N-400
January 28, 2013-- Biometrics

May 22, 2013-- Interview Passed- Officially a US Citizen!

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vsmtghdy Proficient

vsmtghdy   2

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted
Is it really necessary to register with CFO after receipt of US VISA? When I renewed my passport using my foreign husband's name, they told me I had to attend the seminar (counseling program) because the Certificate of Attendance is needed for the passport renewal. It's just so silly because...what's the use of that program when you're already married..? It's just a waste of money..!

It is not really a matter of being a waste of money or being silly... it is a requirement and we just have to abide by it. And besides, you will need the certificate of counseling for the CFO stamp and without this stamp, you will not be allowed to travel and leave the Country, there is just no way around it.

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 as a pre-requisite to the issuance of passports.

The objective of this program is to help Filipino fiancé(e)s and spouses of foreign nationals make informed decisions regarding their marriage to foreign nationals and to prepare them for their adjustments in cross-cultural marriages.

Among others, Filipino fiancé(e)s and spouses are provided with the following information:

Migration laws affecting them;

Welfare and support services available abroad;

Rights of migrants overseas; and

Coping up with problematic or difficult domestic situations

HELEN

agif003.gif

22 February 2010 - mailed the N-400 packet

02 March 2010 - Check encashed/I-797C NOA

03 March 2010 - USCIS Acceptance Confirmation via e-mail and text message

06 March 2010 - received I-797C, Notice of Action/Receipt

01 April 2010 - Biometrics Appointment (Biometrics done 4/7/10)

27 April 2010 - received I-797C/ Request to Appear for Naturalization Interview

02 June 2010 - Interview schedule

17 June 2010 - Oath Taking (Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, CA)

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  • 1 month later...
osen74 Enthusiast

osen74   4

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

hello! :D .. i am planning to renew my passport and have it on my married name and i was told that i need to attend the CFO seminar before i can do so.. my question--do i need to contact CFO and request for reservation/schedule to attend the seminar or you can just walk in anyday from monday-friday?.. i'm planning to attend the seminar any day this week or nextweek at PRISM.. ok lang ba dun?.. mababait ba mga tao dun?hehe.. i've read from another thread kasi, parang consul din daw kung magtanong sila.. and also, what documents did they ask from you?

thanks!

N400 timeline:

04/17/2013 - sent N400
05/06/2013 - biometrics letter notice date
05/17/2013 - biometrics appointment

05/21/2013 - in line for interview

07/08/2013 - actual interview date

07/19/2013 - oath ceremony

Mom's IR5

10/15/2013 - sent I130

10/16/2013 - receipt date on NOA1 (Overland Park, Kansas)

11/22/2013 - received notice, case transferred to TSC

12/13/2013 - Email update, Petition approved!

01/23/2014 - case transferred to NVC

03/04/2014 - case number assigned

03/06/2014 - submitted DS-261

03/07/2014 - paid AOS Fee

03/19/2014 - sent AOS package

03/25/2014 - paid IV Fee

03/29/2014 - submitted DS260

03/31/2014 - sent DS-260(IV) civil documents

04/08/2014 - IV and AOS Checklist (I864A - incomplete information (place of residence))

04/09/2014 - sent AOS checklist

04/21/2014 - false AOS checklist

05/07/2014 - email notification for case complete

05/14/2014 - received appointment interview letter via email

05/15/2014 - CEAC status "In Transit" to consulate (US Embassy, Manila)

06/11/2014 - interview @ 6:15am (PASSED)

06/11/2014 - CEAC status "ISSUED" (visa is authorized for printing)

07/??/2014 - flight to US POE Detroit

it is all by the grace of God!

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thepizzadude Proficient

thepizzadude   26

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted
http://www.cfo.gov.ph/emig_manila.htm

Mailed n-400 : 4-3-14

USCIS Received : 4-4-14

NOA1 Sent : 4-8-14

Biometrics Appt Letter Sent : 4-14-14

Biometrics Appt : 5-5-14

usaflag.gifphilippinesflag.gif

Poverty Guidelines : http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf
VisaJourney Guides : http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=guides
K1 Flowchart : http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=k1flow
K1/K3 AOS Guide : http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1k3aos
ROC Guide : http://www.visajourney.com/content/751guide

DSC04023-1.jpg0906091800.jpg93dc3e19-1345-4995-9126-121c2d709290.jpg

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marriedtomrg Proficient

marriedtomrg   140

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Hi osen74.

I went to SMEF-COW for mine, No need for an appointment for the counselling, they're open at 8:00 a.m. Be prepared to be there for at least 3 hours. There is an orientation, film showing then individual counselling afterwards.

Bring your NSO marriage certificate and NSO birth certificate (photocopy them both, they just need to see the actual ones for verification). You will fill out a form and they will take your picture near the registration window.

They will give you both the blue certificate and the green certificate the same day. If you do not have your visa yet, they will ask you to return so you can get your CFO sticker. You need that to exit the Philippines.

hello! :D .. i am planning to renew my passport and have it on my married name and i was told that i need to attend the CFO seminar before i can do so.. my question--do i need to contact CFO and request for reservation/schedule to attend the seminar or you can just walk in anyday from monday-friday?.. i'm planning to attend the seminar any day this week or nextweek at PRISM.. ok lang ba dun?.. mababait ba mga tao dun?hehe.. i've read from another thread kasi, parang consul din daw kung magtanong sila.. and also, what documents did they ask from you?

thanks!

Be smart, have a plan, and hang on to the people you love. - Chris Gardner

 

N-400 Timeline

02-23-2018: Sent N-400 Application online

02-23-2018: Date on NOA, retrieved from online account

02-23-2018: Date on Biometrics Appointment Letter (Biometrics Appointment at Jacksonville ASC on March 13, 10:00 a.m.)

03-08-2018: Biometrics complete

04-05-2018: Case status updated - Interview Scheduled on May 10, 2018, 10:15 a.m. :D

05-10-2018: Citizenship Interview - Passed English and Civics Tests, Recommended for Approval! :D 

06-19-2018: Received email and text notification: Naturalization Ceremony Scheduled; waited for letter to be uploaded on online account - it has been set on Wednesday, July 25, 3:00 p.m.

07-25-2018: I am now a U.S. Citizen!

 

K3-K4 Journey.txt

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osen74 Enthusiast

osen74   4

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted
Hi osen74.

I went to SMEF-COW for mine, No need for an appointment for the counselling, they're open at 8:00 a.m. Be prepared to be there for at least 3 hours. There is an orientation, film showing then individual counselling afterwards.

Bring your NSO marriage certificate and NSO birth certificate (photocopy them both, they just need to see the actual ones for verification). You will fill out a form and they will take your picture near the registration window.

They will give you both the blue certificate and the green certificate the same day. If you do not have your visa yet, they will ask you to return so you can get your CFO sticker. You need that to exit the Philippines.

hello! :D .. i am planning to renew my passport and have it on my married name and i was told that i need to attend the CFO seminar before i can do so.. my question--do i need to contact CFO and request for reservation/schedule to attend the seminar or you can just walk in anyday from monday-friday?.. i'm planning to attend the seminar any day this week or nextweek at PRISM.. ok lang ba dun?.. mababait ba mga tao dun?hehe.. i've read from another thread kasi, parang consul din daw kung magtanong sila.. and also, what documents did they ask from you?

thanks!

hello marriedtomrg! :) .. thanks for the info.. i chose to attend at PRISM since its closest to my route.. God bless our visajourney! see you around vj! :D

N400 timeline:

04/17/2013 - sent N400
05/06/2013 - biometrics letter notice date
05/17/2013 - biometrics appointment

05/21/2013 - in line for interview

07/08/2013 - actual interview date

07/19/2013 - oath ceremony

Mom's IR5

10/15/2013 - sent I130

10/16/2013 - receipt date on NOA1 (Overland Park, Kansas)

11/22/2013 - received notice, case transferred to TSC

12/13/2013 - Email update, Petition approved!

01/23/2014 - case transferred to NVC

03/04/2014 - case number assigned

03/06/2014 - submitted DS-261

03/07/2014 - paid AOS Fee

03/19/2014 - sent AOS package

03/25/2014 - paid IV Fee

03/29/2014 - submitted DS260

03/31/2014 - sent DS-260(IV) civil documents

04/08/2014 - IV and AOS Checklist (I864A - incomplete information (place of residence))

04/09/2014 - sent AOS checklist

04/21/2014 - false AOS checklist

05/07/2014 - email notification for case complete

05/14/2014 - received appointment interview letter via email

05/15/2014 - CEAC status "In Transit" to consulate (US Embassy, Manila)

06/11/2014 - interview @ 6:15am (PASSED)

06/11/2014 - CEAC status "ISSUED" (visa is authorized for printing)

07/??/2014 - flight to US POE Detroit

it is all by the grace of God!

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