CFO Seminar... what else?

[SennaBrigante 92]

So I just found out literally 10 minutes ago that everyone is required to have a CFO sticker before departing as an immigrant? Ughhhhh. Grrrrrrrr.

Is this really necessary? Would they block me from leaving if I don't have the CFO sticker and certificate? I'm guessing by the time my visa arrives (assuming I get approved), I would have given birth already (due date early April) and the last thing I want to do is be away from our daughter to fall in line at 6AM and wait hours upon hours for a seminar, counseling and interview when I could be at home taking care of our baby :'( I really don't want to leave her home alone with a nanny so my mom will probably have to miss work on that day too. My husband is in the US and can't fly here because he's still on probation.

But I guess there's no way around this CFO thingy?

Aside from the medical and interview for the visa and CFO for my passport, is there anything else I'm missing that I'll need to do before leaving?

[Greenbaum 12,260]

Yes CFO is necessary. Yes they WILL block you from leaving. Your almost there. Just think of all your blessings; a Husband, a beautiful child, extended family and opportunities galore ahead of you as your family comes together. Gods speed for the rest of the process.

Edited February 6, 2014 by Greenbaum

[SennaBrigante 92]

Thanks so much! I just want my daughter to meet her daddy ASAP and I know my husband is absolutely excited to hold and kiss his first-born. He's been wanting to be a dad all his life.

I just hate all these "required procedures" the Philippine government forces unto people. Can't we just leave and be done with it? Lol

And for 400 per person x how many countries x how many sessions per day x how many days per week, you'd think they'll be able to invest in a simple online appointment/registration system or more locations for the seminar, etc.

HATE HATE HATE all this red tape and bureaucratic bullllllllllllllllll.

[bendinlar 16]

If it's any consolation, you could take the seminar before you get your visa. Then you just have to go back for the sticker. The sticker is easy, no waiting at 5am. Just walk in and register, simple.

Or spice heard, we've not gotten there yet. :/

[Jeff @ Missy 9]

So I just found out literally 10 minutes ago that everyone is required to have a CFO sticker before departing as an immigrant? Ughhhhh. Grrrrrrrr.

Is this really necessary? Would they block me from leaving if I don't have the CFO sticker and certificate? I'm guessing by the time my visa arrives (assuming I get approved), I would have given birth already (due date early April) and the last thing I want to do is be away from our daughter to fall in line at 6AM and wait hours upon hours for a seminar, counseling and interview when I could be at home taking care of our baby :'( I really don't want to leave her home alone with a nanny so my mom will probably have to miss work on that day too. My husband is in the US and can't fly here because he's still on probation.

But I guess there's no way around this CFO thingy?

Aside from the medical and interview for the visa and CFO for my passport, is there anything else I'm missing that I'll need to do before leaving?

6am, hahaha. try 4am or earlier.

and your baby you were going to process the CRBA right? as in the other post you saw is the exit clearance at BI Intramuros. when i was there last week it was sooo hot inside and sooo many people. as i have noticed that if you wait in line at the DFA (my only time we were given a number 800 further from the serving number) and get the baby a philippine passport you don't need this,not sure about the DWSD then, maybe need clearance from them. everyone of these agencies websites are outdated or incorrect and wrong phone numbers yada yada.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Thanks so much! I just want my daughter to meet her daddy ASAP and I know my husband is absolutely excited to hold and kiss his first-born. He's been wanting to be a dad all his life.

I just hate all these "required procedures" the Philippine government forces unto people. Can't we just leave and be done with it? Lol

And for 400 per person x how many countries x how many sessions per day x how many days per week, you'd think they'll be able to invest in a simple online appointment/registration system or more locations for the seminar, etc.

HATE HATE HATE all this red tape and bureaucratic bullllllllllllllllll.

There is CFO info in my link below (CFO is the same for IR/CR-1 and K-1)

[sweet cakes 326]

So I just found out literally 10 minutes ago that everyone is required to have a CFO sticker before departing as an immigrant? Ughhhhh. Grrrrrrrr.

Is this really necessary? Would they block me from leaving if I don't have the CFO sticker and certificate? I'm guessing by the time my visa arrives (assuming I get approved), I would have given birth already (due date early April) and the last thing I want to do is be away from our daughter to fall in line at 6AM and wait hours upon hours for a seminar, counseling and interview when I could be at home taking care of our baby :'( I really don't want to leave her home alone with a nanny so my mom will probably have to miss work on that day too. My husband is in the US and can't fly here because he's still on probation.

But I guess there's no way around this CFO thingy?

Aside from the medical and interview for the visa and CFO for my passport, is there anything else I'm missing that I'll need to do before leaving?

Count yourself lucky, sis! There are people complaining here that they were barred to board the plane "at the airport", because nobody informed them about the CFO.

As mentioned, 6am is a little too late for the AM session. The safe time to arrive is 5am (the latest) to secure an AM slot. Don't forget to check out Hank's link for CFO. Good luck!

Edited February 6, 2014 by sweet cakes

[Darnell 8,479]

what else? you need CEMAR/ CENMAR? [not CenoMar]

medical exam, but that's a Manila IV requirement.

[Darnell 8,479]

I just hate all these "required procedures" the Philippine government forces unto people. Can't we just leave and be done with it? Lol

No. Why?

1. Misuse of OFW prior and

2. Misuse/torture of wives/fiancees prior.

3. CFO likes money, you're a new revenue stream for them that'll flip into something resembling the OFW revenue stream for the Islands, later.

[apologies if I sound harsh, but that's the way it is]

[SennaBrigante 92]

6am, hahaha. try 4am or earlier.

and your baby you were going to process the CRBA right? as in the other post you saw is the exit clearance at BI Intramuros. when i was there last week it was sooo hot inside and sooo many people. as i have noticed that if you wait in line at the DFA (my only time we were given a number 800 further from the serving number) and get the baby a philippine passport you don't need this,not sure about the DWSD then, maybe need clearance from them. everyone of these agencies websites are outdated or incorrect and wrong phone numbers yada yada.

Ughhhh even worse. I'm so not a morning person.

Yes we'll do the CRBA but I'm also getting her a PI passport. I still have to research that but I know that I don't necessarily have to do it in DFA. There are satellite offices in malls so I'm doing one nearest to our house.

Is the exit clearance really necessary? I saw on their website that it's not needed if one of the parents is traveling with the minor. Now I'm not sure if it's recent information or outdated rules. But I guess that's another thing to worry about.

I should really make a list of these things as early as now.

what else? you need CEMAR/ CENMAR? [not CenoMar]

medical exam, but that's a Manila IV requirement.

I know I'm going to get a lot of scolding but CEMAR is out of the question. I'm stubborn in my insistence to not report the marriage with the Phil Embassy. My husband and I are planning a legit, official wedding in 2016 in front of my family - something that I promised my grandparents. Since my husband and his family aren't Catholic, no church wedding so we can only do a civil wedding. Renewal or a simple exchange of vows isn't the same. I know it's going to make my life 10x harder but it's something that will mean the world the grandparents who raised me so I'm sticking to my guns.

Edited February 7, 2014 by SennaBrigante

[SennaBrigante 92]

Another question...

I'm 32 weeks pregnant now and I'm leaning more towards doing the seminar now rather than later when I'm recovering from giving birth. Do they have comfortable chairs and accessible restaurants there? I should be on light bed rest but what can I do... gotta get as much things accomplished now while I'm still relatively mobile lol.

[Jeff @ Missy 9]

Another question...

I'm 32 weeks pregnant now and I'm leaning more towards doing the seminar now rather than later when I'm recovering from giving birth. Do they have comfortable chairs and accessible restaurants there? I should be on light bed rest but what can I do... gotta get as much things accomplished now while I'm still relatively mobile lol.

Comfortable chairs? You will need to stand in line for about 3 1/2 hrs, guess you could bring one. I did not notice any special circumstances for pregnant women posted there, the DFA will give you priority but in my belief the CFO is a total waste of time for those traveling to a first world country as in the case of the USA they do a background check on the petitioner first, probably not so in an Arab country. Also...as we found out today gettingour sticker from the CFO is they want to see the package from the embassy, the one that cannot be opened, #######? She did not bring it so had to go back for it. They also wanted a copy of the piece of paper inside the packet that can be seen through the cellophane, it says on it "sensitive but unclassified information"., again #######? I was ready to pull a Manny Pacquaio on them

[SennaBrigante 92]

WTFFFFF I would absolutely throw a fit!!!! If they break that seal and cause problems for me at the POE I don't know what I'll end up doing to them.

I guess it's safer to go there after giving birth. I should be on light bed rest now so standing 3 1/2 hours is really not ideal.

I also think CFO is unnecessary. Isn't it the immigrant's responsibility to educate themselves on steps and procedures abroad? But then again I understand how resources may not be immediately available to them. Maybe sell a packet or materials with all the information they need they can read on their own time.

[Darnell 8,479]

you can bring lightweight, carry-able, folding chair for the queues. <EOM>

[SennaBrigante 92]

That means I have to buy one. :'(

I'll just do this after I give birth. We don't even have a case number yet.