We got her Visa! But I have a couple of questions. Please Help.

[JL204 0]

Hi Everyone,

Please help. My Fiance got her visa package/packet already but we have been wondering if we can take the passport out of the package. We do understand that the envelop can only be opened at the port of entry but what about her passport? We need her passport and her visa for issuance of her plane ticket.

Also, another question. Which office is she suppose to go for her counseling? CFO office or St. Mary's /SMEF-COW office? My fiance lives in Cebu, Philippines. I just checked out the CFO office website and it says that they have a location in Cebu, so can she go to their Cebu office instead?

thanks in advance.

[dasaleph 0]

The mailing-envelope you got contains the visa-envelope and the passport.

The visa-envelope usually has some kind of warning on it, that it only can be opened at the port of entry.

The passport is inside the mailing-envelope, not inside the visa-envelope so of course you can take it out.

[dasaleph 0]

Congratulations, btw!

[gary9891 10]

Hi Everyone,

Please help. My Fiance got her visa package/packet already but we have been wondering if we can take the passport out of the package. We do understand that the envelop can only be opened at the port of entry but what about her passport? We need her passport and her visa for issuance of her plane ticket.

Also, another question. Which office is she suppose to go for her counseling? CFO office or St. Mary's /SMEF-COW office? My fiance lives in Cebu, Philippines. I just checked out the CFO office website and it says that they have a location in Cebu, so can she go to their Cebu office instead?

thanks in advance.

The passport is inside a different envelope than the official stuff. Our passport envelope was clear and glued to the official envelope. The official documents envelope was yellow so it is hard to mix up the two. Yes you need get your passport out of the small clear bag when departing. I recommend your open your passport now and make sure your name is correct, it is rare but the embassy has made mistakes in the past. Best to find it now so it can be corrected instead of discovering the error at the departure gate!

Yes, you can take the CFO briefing anywhere. Cebu has 1 office and manila has at least 2. The CFO has several briefings, just make sure you get the correct one for immigrants marrying Americans. Read the websites info carefully and take what it asks for (passport pic, CENOMAR etc). I had to get a letter from her parents (notarized) approving of our marriage even though we we were engaged only (she was 22). CFO rules can "change" depending on who is at the counter.

Congrats!

[JL204 0]

Many many thanks, dasaleph and gary9891. We feel much better now!! I really appreciate it...