Pre-Departure Seminar (PDOS) Experience

[Arnold_and_Joan 0]

Joan just went through her PDOS and got her CFO sticker. Here are just some tips and observations:

- Get there early. They have limited slots for the session times they have. She got there 9:45 and got the last slot for the 10AM session

- No need to bring your brown envelope, you know - the DO NOT OPEN envelope you get from the Embassy after your interview. Some people had them in hand.

- Bring Passport, make sure you photocopy the passport and visa. Photocopy also the following: NBI clearance, Birth Certificate and CENOMAR. Bring some pictures of you and your fiance together. I read here that some people were asked to show these. Joan was never asked for any of the above except for her passport and visa photocopies.

- No need to bring passport pictures. They take your pictures before the seminar

- We went to PRISM which was close to CFO building so it was easy to get from one to the other to get the sticker after the seminar. Joan noticed there were some who came from St Mary's in QC to get their sticker at CFO. So we're not sure that they were giving stickers at St Mary's too or you still need to get it at CFO. If that's the case then PRISM is a lot closer.

- Bring valid picture ID. They need one in exchange for a visitor's ID at CFO

- Be sure your fiance knows your Address, phone number, Educational background, Year of Migration (if Naturalized), Mother's maiden name of USC,

- One on one counseling wasn't too harsh or bad as I've read. They asked the following questions:

> How, When and Where we met

> USC's Educational Background

> Do we have kids?

> Do you really love him?

> Are you ready for life in the U.S.

Then she was just given advice on what to do if problems arise in the marriage.

The PDOS took 2 hours and 15 minutes. There's a film showing, then you're grouped by destination and given advice and instructions as a group. The one on one counseling followed.

The CFO sticker took another 2 hours. It may be because we went straight there after the 10AM PDOS and it was lunch hour and CFO. I'm still baffled why it takes 2 hours to put a sticker on her passport but oh well... we're done. I suggest you download the PDF application online and fill it up before going to CFO. That way you're ready and don't waste time when you're there.

Well, we've crossed the finish line here finally - whew!

[Arnold_and_Joan 0]

Somehow this got entered twice --- HOW DO I DELETE THIS???? Anyone??

[CountryBoy 0]

Thanks Arnold .. I added that to my interview questions / embassy advice web page for Mylene to study .. HERE .. if you look at that page and can give any more good advice for her pertaining to the Manila experience, please let me know

[Jasman0717 8]

Good post, thanks for sharing