silvertoes

She needs to wait until she has the visa on the passport to get the CFO sticker. They will not give it to her in advance even if she's exempt from attending the seminar.

Do I need to schedule online for her appointment or can she just walk-in? Also, do you have any idea how long it takes for CFO to give her the sticker? If everything goes well on the interview, I will try and book her flight. I guess she can do CFO before flying to the US, but then a connecting flight (which I originally planned) from the province to SFO will be out of the question....

Hi Everyone,

My 61 y/o Mom's interview is on 8/19/15. I read on the CFO website that 60 y/o and above are exempt from attending the seminar. I wonder, though, if she can go to CFO and get the sticker/stamp before the interview, or does it have to be after, when she has the Visa on hand. I just want her to get everything done while she's in Manila since she has to go back to Visayas and she travels by herself. I also wonder, if we have to make an online appointment on the CFO website since she is exempt from the seminar? I'd really appreciate all the helpful input.

Exactly my point to the OP. Please read the entire thread before commenting if you havent done so yet..Yes, I am upset, but I dont know why you would think that my post is tied to my ego.

Wow. Your so upset, and from what you have said, I question why. I don't think you are looking at the big picture. NVC, USICS, SLEC and USEM process thousands of applicant yearly. Without some kind of semblance to an orderly process they could not render the services they do. There isn't anyone of us that wouldn't want the process faster, cheaper and easier but with that many applicants, they are doing the best they can. If they allowed family and petitioners' in at every step it would be so chaotic. Sure, they will always have room to tweak their systems, but what you are describing is situation that is tied to your ego. Lighten up.

"MAJORITY OF THE TIME The US CITIZENS ARE PAYING ST. Lukes for the MEDICAL. THERE IS A PETITIONER AND A BENEFICIARY. The MEDICAL IS RARELY PAID BY THE FILIPINOS. I strongly recommend changing your policies to allow the petitioner and the beneficiary."

The Medical is RARELY paid by the Filipinos???? Dont forget, a lot of the US CITIZENS supposedly paying for their relative's medical are FILIPINOS! We are still FILIPINOS before, during and AFTER being Naturalized so dont make any assumptions that all FILIPINOS are starving, money-grabbing beggars. Remember, this is where your Fiancee is from. You may take her out of the Philippines but you can never take the FILIPINO out of her.

"REMEMBER WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM. I PAID FOR HER MEDICAL TODAY. It is HIGHLY OUTRAGEOUS TO DENY A PERSON PAYING - THE PETITIONER -- FOR A SERVICE FOR THE BENEFICIARY. WHAT IF I HAD CHOSEN NOT TO PAY SINCE I WAS NOT ALLOWED IN? What if I refused to hand her money in front of St. Lukes? I AM VERY VERY VERY VERY UPSET. YOUR POLICY PUT A US CITIZEN IN DANGER."

Did we miss THIS directive from St Luke's -- "Medical Fees are to be handed to the Beneficiary in front of the building ONLY, in plain sight of everybody present, to ensure where the money is coming from. Otherwise, service will be denied"

I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE HER TO THE EMBASSY? WHAT DO I TELL THE Counselor Officer? Her medical is not done because I WAS NOT ALLOWED IN TO PAY THE Fiancees MEDICAL?

Then you would have to go back to the US and maybe file a complaint to your Congressman, Senator, or even the President? Dont forget to tell them how harassed and threatened you felt, surrounded by wrinkly old beggars and bone-thin peddlers on the streets, mostly kids, who were most likely less than HALF YOUR SIZE