CFO experience

[raf.luv.leah 5]

I got there at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, expecting I would be the 2nd or 3rd person there, but lo and behold, a line was already formed with over a dozen people! We stood waiting for two hours (I felt sorry for the pregnant woman in line with me) until the doors were opened. We were ushered in and the guard checked my papers (he looked for a photocopy of my passport, visa, one valid ID, NSO, and NBI). He took one valid ID and gave me a pink "CFO ID" to wear around my neck.

We sat down in front of some counters for two more hours until he announced that people with pink CFO ID's go to the 9th floor. We took the elevator to the 8th floor and then the stairs to the 9th floor. A nice old woman with glasses gave us forms to fill out (this is different from the online form) which asked for basic personal information about me and my fiance (birthdate, contact details, mother's maiden name, etc.) and a few ones like "What are your some of your concerns about living abroad" which had multiple choice answers like "Different culture", "Isolation/boredom/homesickness", etc. I was the first to pass my form, and the woman took my passport, my online registration form, and the papers that the guard downstairs checked for. She told me to wait and took other people's papers. After a while she called my name, took my picture, and told me to wait again.

After an hour, our counselor showed up holding our passports with the papers and called us one by one for the one-on-one interview. This is the tricky part because she can ask basically anything she wants from you. I was armed with everything - I already had the visa in my passport, all of my documents (NSO, NBI, CENOMAR, parent's advice - she didn't ask for this, which was weird because I am only 24), even my fiance's passport bio page! What she asked for was pictures of me and my fiance. Now this was the one thing I didn't bring because I was of the understanding that this was a SEMINAR, not an INTERVIEW. I could understand if this was required for those without the visa yet, but for Pete's sake, I had already passed my real interview with the US embassy proving our bona fide relationship and the visa was in my passport to prove it! I showed her photos on my iPhone, but she wanted hard copies (3 to be exact).

The seminar finished around 11:30 a.m. but I had to take a cab to Robinson's, have the photos printed at Netopia, and take a cab back to the CFO office. I finished around 2 p.m., dying from sleepiness and hunger (drama!). All in all, it was a bad experience, but I'm just glad it's over.

[wilfon 30]

I got there at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, expecting I would be the 2nd or 3rd person there, but lo and behold, a line was already formed with over a dozen people! We stood waiting for two hours (I felt sorry for the pregnant woman in line with me) until the doors were opened. We were ushered in and the guard checked my papers (he looked for a photocopy of my passport, visa, one valid ID, NSO, and NBI). He took one valid ID and gave me a pink "CFO ID" to wear around my neck.

We sat down in front of some counters for two more hours until he announced that people with pink CFO ID's go to the 9th floor. We took the elevator to the 8th floor and then the stairs to the 9th floor. A nice old woman with glasses gave us forms to fill out (this is different from the online form) which asked for basic personal information about me and my fiance (birthdate, contact details, mother's maiden name, etc.) and a few ones like "What are your some of your concerns about living abroad" which had multiple choice answers like "Different culture", "Isolation/boredom/homesickness", etc. I was the first to pass my form, and the woman took my passport, my online registration form, and the papers that the guard downstairs checked for. She told me to wait and took other people's papers. After a while she called my name, took my picture, and told me to wait again.

After an hour, our counselor showed up holding our passports with the papers and called us one by one for the one-on-one interview. This is the tricky part because she can ask basically anything she wants from you. I was armed with everything - I already had the visa in my passport, all of my documents (NSO, NBI, CENOMAR, parent's advice - she didn't ask for this, which was weird because I am only 24), even my fiance's passport bio page! What she asked for was pictures of me and my fiance. Now this was the one thing I didn't bring because I was of the understanding that this was a SEMINAR, not an INTERVIEW. I could understand if this was required for those without the visa yet, but for Pete's sake, I had already passed my real interview with the US embassy proving our bona fide relationship and the visa was in my passport to prove it! I showed her photos on my iPhone, but she wanted hard copies (3 to be exact).

The seminar finished around 11:30 a.m. but I had to take a cab to Robinson's, have the photos printed at Netopia, and take a cab back to the CFO office. I finished around 2 p.m., dying from sleepiness and hunger (drama!). All in all, it was a bad experience, but I'm just glad it's over.

Thank you for your review, I will let my fiance know to bring everything just in case they ask for it. Congratulations on getting everything done, sorry to hear about the drama they put you through. Best of Luck to you guys

[KrystelKyle 16]

Sorry to hear that I've heard lot of CFO people make it Ben tougher compare to the US interview.

But yeah cheer up and congrats;-)

[Hank_ 9,174]

CFO is very much like an interview now.

In the list that I post I have pictures together, along with anything that I have read about that my wife was not asked.

Required documents & "OTHER DOCUMENTS" they ask for at CFO: copies of; CENOMAR, certified birth certificate, bio page of passport, visa page from passport, pictures together. From USC (copies of) - bio page of passport, birth certificate, divorce decree (if been married before) are the most common requests. The "other documents" clause can be ANYTHING with those nit-wits at CFO.

[raf.luv.leah 5]

Yes, that list is very helpful. I did have pictures together, but I thought that pictures on my phone were enough. Didn't know they needed hard copies.

[Hank_ 9,174]

... opps!

[lierre 224]

I don't understand this CFO thing.

It's only required when you're based in the Philippines. If they realy wanted human trafficking or abuse to be averted, they should have these seminars required in Philippine embassies/consulates too.

And your story sounds a lot like government worker bullying to me. Geez. If photos are actually needed, they should have put it up on their website.

I just so wish our government agencies would be more consistent and more efficient with their services!

But, I'm happy your day turned out well regardless Just a flight away now!

Edited January 29, 2013 by ivyanddan

[raf.luv.leah 5]

Hahaha one of the women I met there had returned THRICE already! The first time, she didn't get into the 30 slots. The second time, she didn't have her NSO and was stopped at the "initial screening" (i.e. the guard downstairs). The third time, the "final interview", she was asked for the pictures!! She was so happy and relieved when she finally got her passport issued this time!

I hope the CFO revamps its whole process soon. 1. Set up an appointment system online/by phone, with exceptions for emergency cases. 2. Make the requirements clear cut and definite. I don't think anyone will have any problem bringing requirements as long as they are defined.

Imagine if I HAD a photo in my wallet of me and my fiance, but still had to go to the mall because it wasn't the 3 copies she required! I would probably have done something terrible like threaten to blow up the entire CFO office! (Who would blame me, I was hungry!!!)

The most important requirement, actually, is to bring a good attitude. This applies to all the steps of the visa process, from I-29F to citizenship. Yeah it's cheesy, but it helps to keep a sense of humor and optimism about the whole thing.

For example, if you're reading this and you're still waiing for your NOA2 and want to kill a puppy, don't do it. Just wait, you'll get approved soon.

Edited January 29, 2013 by raf.luv.leah

[lierre 224]

Hahaha one of the women I met there had returned THRICE already! The first time, she didn't get into the 30 slots. The second time, she didn't have her NSO and was stopped at the "initial screening" (i.e. the guard downstairs). The third time, the "final interview", she was asked for the pictures!! She was so happy and relieved when she finally got her passport issued this time!

I hope the CFO revamps its whole process soon. 1. Set up an appointment system online/by phone, with exceptions for emergency cases. 2. Make the requirements clear cut and definite. I don't think anyone will have any problem bringing requirements as long as they are defined.

Imagine if I HAD a photo in my wallet of me and my fiance, but still had to go to the mall because it wasn't the 3 copies she required! I would probably have done something terrible like threaten to blow up the entire CFO office! (Who would blame me, I was hungry!!!)

The most important requirement, actually, is to bring a good attitude. This applies to all the steps of the visa process, from I-29F to citizenship. Yeah it's cheesy, but it helps to keep a sense of humor and optimism about the whole thing.

For example, if you're reading this and you're still waiing for your NOA2 and want to kill a puppy, don't do it. Just wait, you'll get approved soon.

Nah. The whole visa process is tolerable... At least we all know what to expect.

Philippine government agencies on the other hand... You have to always expect the worst, sigh and just let it be. Hahaha

[madison925 2]

I am also 24 and I am seeking for tips about parent's advice. Is it okay, if I'll just make my own template, bring it to a notary public and have it notarized? How did you do yours? Did you have to go to the local registrar's?

[Hank_ 9,174]

Here are some samples to use as a guide:

Examples (from Quezon City):

Advice of Parents: http://www.quezoncity.gov.ph/images/stories/downloadables/forms/parentadvice.pdf

Consent to Marry: http://www.quezoncity.gov.ph/images/stories/downloadables/forms/consenttomarriage.pdf

[madison925 2]

Do I have to have the registrar officer sign it or the lawyer from the notary public is just right?

[Hank_ 9,174]

From what I understand you can use any notary.

[raf.luv.leah 5]

I am also 24 and I am seeking for tips about parent's advice. Is it okay, if I'll just make my own template, bring it to a notary public and have it notarized? How did you do yours? Did you have to go to the local registrar's?

Hi Madison! I used the PDF that Hank provided and had it notarized by a family friend. They didn't take mine during the CFO seminar, though, so I will never know if what I did was correct.

[TnJ 131]

Glad it worked out for you! It could have been worse apparently from some of the stories on here. Like you, we were fully prepared because of good folks at VJ, and thankfully, no complications. They DID ask for my (USC) passport bio page and my mother's maiden name. Nothing more off the wall though. CFO serves a just purpose, but it seriously is vague in preparing attendees, and it is a complete waste of a good day. There is no good reason why people have to show up at 3AM to get a slot, and then stay there for close to 12 straight hours. No efficiency whatsoever. In our case, it was a little over 11. Ridiculous! It was such a beautiful day too, but all I could think of was getting it over with.