Luke417

btw, if you order tonight (Sun) and pay at BDO tomorrow, it is possible that your fiancee will receive the cenomar this Friday or Mon or Tue next week (depends on the circumstances too.. lucky if your fiancee will receive it 3 business days after payment).. As for my experience with e-census, it took me a week to receive my cenomar..(4business days) but, i ordered it a day before the independence day..that's y... and i lived in Rizal! (outside manila)

Hello again, Ann. Thanks for the info about e-census. This 1 week time frame seems sufficient for us, should we need it. I also found out that we can get CENOMAR and BC on the second floor of MOA at the SM Business Center. It is on the second level of MOA across from SM Department Store. They say here on the web site that they can have your documents if you come back "in a few days", and it is cheaper than the e-census method with about the same time frame. We will inquire about this tonight when we go to MOA, then tomorrow morning we will try to get the CENOMAR same day/next day at Pasay serbilis location. If they can't do this, we will go back to SM business center tomorrow and see if we can get them in 1 week. Regardless, I think Lea will attend the CFO on Thursday. If more docs are needed, hopefully we will just have to bring them to the CFO when we have them next week. That would be cutting it close FOR SURE, but it does seem like a decent possibility.

Here is the link to SM Business center info on attaining NSO documents: http://www.nsoncr3.ph/smmalls.html

I have not read of anyone ever being asked for an NBI at CFO.

And thank you again, Hank. I know you have to be one of the most well-read and knowledgeable members of VJ, especially with cases that concern the Philippines. This is a very comforting statement coming from you. I think we will still attempt to play it safe and try to get a new one (last time she got it in a week, even with a "hit" on her name). If it doesn't come, we always have the "personal copy" half of the original.

Wow this is great. I spent the whole day yesterday searching CFO related requirements. Government link about the requirement is a little bit frustrating.

They should include or update their link. As we all want to be prepared with all the required documents when we go to CFO offices. The additional documents being asked is case to case basis but what if you don't bring them.

Thanks everyone this is really helpful . Glad everyone is helping each other.

Now i'm quite relieved at the moment. I am planning to get CFO done before my interview. Will be doing CFO (day1), Medical (day2 & day3) to save time and cost of going to Manila.

Have a great day to all....

Hello, again Dahlia. Funny how people who go through this process with similar time frames seem to have similar concerns. This just confirms that the only stupid questions are the ones that are not asked. Most of the time, there are many with the same or similar questions. Thank God VJ members are just as eager to offer help as they are to ask for help! ...and the timing of the responses is amazing! Many people who already are done with much of the process could very easily ignore the rest of us from now on and go on with their lives, but they continue to come and check the posts regularly and help the rest of us along. Thanks again to all of you that help so much. Jeez I sound like a broken record with all the thank you's...but it is very well deserved.

Lessons to be learned here:

• Get multiple originals of as many documents as possible. Not sure if it is possible with NBI, but there is a personal copy attached to the original, which is still an original apparently, and the USEM will give this back to you.
• OR...Do the CFO before the interview and then come back once you have the visa to get the sticker. Apparently they don't keep your original documents, they just ask to see them. Then you can use the originals for the USEM interview, where they WILL keep them.
• Please post CFO experiences in this Philippines forum whenever possible. Tell us what documents they asked for, what they kept, and what they asked you, etc. Since the CFO website is so vague, and the experiences vary so much, it is extremely helpful to people like us that have not gone yet to have an idea of the chances we will need or be asked certain things.

I agree with you Luke!

Also, at CFO GCP it is a case to case basis.. so it is safe to be ready! they might have not asked me and the others to present a cenomar but who knows if ur fiancee will be asked since the others were asked too.. there's still time so it's good that you and your fiancee are doing some efforts to get these docs. It's better than going into a war without a gun. If your fiancee will lack some docs, the counselor will give her a few hours to get back to CFO. If she can't present it after the said time, then she will go back the next day or when she is available and wait until when the counselor will have time for her and might ask for more.. so just be ready

Thank you very much again, Ann. Very encouraging! We will still get as much as possible early this week, and based on what you said, I think I will suggest to my fiancee to go to the CFO on Thursday regardless. Sounds like if by chance they ask for something we don't have, we can bring it back when we do have it. Worst-case scenario, she has to go again on a different day once we get it. Also Hank said (if I interpret his advice correctly) that if she is confident, which I am sure she will be, things should go smoothly.

Good luck on your interview on Tuesday too, by the way! I bet we will be passing you near the Embassy on our way to the NBI main building (since we plan to go early). We will take a look over at the Embassy when we pass it and give a nod for good luck to you.

No, as far as I could remember, the other 14 applicants I am with did not present their NBI nor CENOMAR. They are not required for individual or group counseling. The only thing I discovered was that if applicant's petitioner had been divorced before, they would need to present a photocopy of his divorce decree or just know the divorce date. If you failed to do so, they will not release your certificate on that same day and will put it on hold till you get to submit the required pertinent documents. The only thing I submitted for registration was my 2 photocopies of my 2 valid ID with photos in it (bring the original IDs as well) and the registration form they provided. For the individual counseling, the facilitator only asked for my photos.

Great first-hand information again, especially since you recently attended. We will still try to get the documents just to be safe (based on some other stories on here I have read). I do feel much more at ease now that chances are even if we don't have one of these things in time, my fiancee has at least a decent chance of getting the sticker (and not having to come back the next week). Thank you so much!

Ann, your reply was EXTREMELY helpful! I do feel much better. Based on your responses, this is what I think we will do:

• Monday is out, unfortunately, because my fiancee has work obligations ALL DAY.
• Tuesday AM: Order CENOMAR and multiple birth certificates at the Pasay serbilis location (ask them if it is possible to attain them that day or by Wednesday).
• Tuesday AM: Also go to UN to visit NBI main to order new NBI clearance. Even if it takes a week (or slightly more), this is hopefully OK because we still have the "personal copy" original. Like you said it is a good safety precaution just in case (and also good to have to take to the US).
• Wednesday: make all needed photocopies and organize all of the possible documents they will ask for.
• Thursday: CFO (if we were able to attain a new CENOMAR in time). She can do the counseling and registration all on this day.

If it turns out that we can't get the CENOMAR same day or next day, we would probably just order one online to be here by the middle of next week and then attend CFO at the end of next week. Might order one tonight and pay at BDO tomorrow anyway, just in case. So what if we end up with two copies...better than the zero we have now!

Registration Fee is for Php 400. I just had my CFO seminar last Tuesday and received my visa last Friday. You can check my experience at this link: http://k1visaapplicant.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/cfo-guidance-and-counseling-part-1-and-visa-pick-up-at-2go-sm-mall-of-asia/

Thank you so much. Very helpful also!

Did they ask you for a CENOMAR or NBI clearance at your counseling session? Or do you know if you need either of them for the registration when you go back?

Thanks to everyone for the replies so far. Very much appreciated!

Leon & Mylen: Your guide was one of the CFO guides I originally read. Very helpful and thorough which is why I tried to prepare everything you listed as well. Thanks so much for it.

Hank: Your guide is legendary! I refer to it often, so I made sure to have multiple copies of MY documents (including passport, BC, financial records, etc.). Thank you very much for keeping it so up to date! EXTREMELY helpful!!

Robb & Ann: Thank you for the very helpful links! If we cannot get the NSO documents in person by Tuesday, we will probably use this to get them by next Tuesday.

My fiancee does have two forms of photo ID (passport and driver's license). She also has the "personal copy" of the NBI clearance (the bottom half of the original sheet), which is exactly the same as the top half, only it has a "personal copy" stamp on it. It is still green, has the photo, and all the pertinent information. Does anyone think this might be OK to show as an "original" if they ask? Of course we will make a copy as well.

I researched the NSO website, and the nearest one to us is the Pasay location. If we can get there very early on Tuesday, I'm hoping we can get the CENOMAR and copies of BC the same day. I've read about some cases where this is possible, particularly at this location.

We'll probably also order a CENOMAR online because they claim it can come in a few days. We definitely need one of these because it turns out we only had one original (which the USEM took for their records). The extra 10 dollars for this fee is really not an issue compared to piece of mind. Guess we should have done the CFO counseling BEFORE the interview.

One other question (sorry!). The CFO website says there is a "registration fee" for the registration process, but it does not list the fee amount. Is this the same as the "counseling fee"? I assume it is separate, but I am wondering what the amount is. Thanks again everyone!

Hello fellow VJ’ers. My fiancée is planning to attend the CFO seminar this coming week (if possible), and we have a few concerns. She already has her passport returned to her with the K-1 visa (woohoo!). All that is left is the CFO. We want to have this taken care of soon, though, mainly so she can return home with me on July 30 (I am currently with her in Metro Manila). I read the CFO web site (which is annoyingly vague) and some of the forums here (including Hank’s very helpful guide), and I prepared everything I could so far. Here are the concerns that remain.

1. NBI clearance. This is my main concern: The USEM took the only one she had (but left her with the receipt portion). Reading the forums on here, it seems that some people had to wait a long time to get the clearance. Last time, my fiancée placed the order and retrieved it in a provincial office. She ended up with a “hit” for the same name, but I think she got it back in about a week. Does anyone know of a way to get a new NBI clearance the quickest way possible?
2. The CENOMAR we used at the interview expired the very next day. At least I think so. It was dated January 2 and the interview was July 2. Should my fiancée get a new CENOMAR for the CFO session?
3. We just realized that we need to get more birth certificates to take back to the States, so that is on the agenda as well. Am I correct that these can be attained in the same place as a CENOMAR?
4. Is it still possible to get the above documents and complete the CFO session in sufficient time to depart for the States on July 30? (in your opinions of course)

I realize that we overlooked some of the details of the process which is why we are in this situation. There is just SO MUCH STUFF to think about throughout this whole process…as WE ALL SURELY know! I guess we were bound to trip up somewhere. Thanks so much for any feedback anyone can offer!

We were interviewed on Tuesday, July 2. Passport with visa in hand on Tuesday July 9. Considering the July 4th holiday, we got it in 4 business days...of course we selected to pick up the Passport at 2Go, Mall of Asia (which is suggested to be the fastest method).

As far as updates, I checked it constantly:

--CEAC updated to "Issued" in 2 business days, and that was it for that.

--ustraveldocs site passport tracking had "received from consular section" for a VERY brief time on the 3rd business day. All other times it said "no update available."

--2Go website never registered the case number as a valid number (maybe because we were picking up.

We did receive a text message from 2Go on the day it was ready (yesterday). We went right over and picked it up.

Shouldn't be too much longer for ya.

The DS-160 is not used. Toss it. Not sure where you got that from

Relax, read slowly, then read the instructions letter again. All the required forms and documents are listed in the letter.

Definitely read the letter. The link quoted is the most up to date and it is what we followed for the interview last week.

As far as FORMS are concerned:

• DS 156 (2 copies)
• DS 156 K
• DS 157 (2 copies)
• DS 230 (part 1 only)
• I-134 (Affidavit of Support) - this will not be submitted at first with the DS forms, but the Filipino pre-screener will likely ask for it at the window (along with supporting documents).

Also you might want to make sure that you write SOMETHING in every box or line, or at least most of them, even if it is obviously not applicable. Write "N/A", "NONE", or "SEE ATTACHMENT" if you need to. We were told last week at our interview that ANY lines or boxes that were incomplete or blank would require a reschedule.

There is SOME time to complete the forms inside the embassy walls before getting called to the windows, though. So if unsure, it can be done then. There are some Filipino workers in this area whom you can ask if you have a question or two. Just make sure you have a few black pens ready when you get there just in case.

Luke417 where exactly if 2Go office in Mall of Asia (So huge!!!). Please provide any stores close by. My fiancee can probably ask for any guards. Thanks

Actually, I just found this on MOA's own web site. Pretty useful tool to locate the stores. You can see exactly what I mean from the last post. Just select "2GO" grom the menu, and it will highlight the store location for you.

http://smmallofasia.com/moa/moamap/index.html?subcat=samsung+galazy

Turn

Luke417 where exactly if 2Go office in Mall of Asia (So huge!!!). Please provide any stores close by. My fiancee can probably ask for any guards. Thanks

It is on the extreme outer perimeter of the South end of the mall, facing outward on the street where MOA Arena is located, but not directly facing the arena. If you are in the "circle" with the big globe that lights up, exit the circle as if you are going to MOA Arena. Make the very first right (drive between MOA and MOA Arena). As soon as you pass the SM Department Store entrance on your right, look for 2GO - it is about 5 or 6 stores past that on street level.

Or - if you wait one more street to turn right (and drive AROUND MOA Arena instead of between it and the actual mall), when you come around the Arena like you are driving towards the mall, you can see the 2Go right in front of you. We just parked on the street right in front and used hazard lights. Of course I was in the car waiting while she went in. Not sure if you can do that without someone waiting in the car, but it seems like that would be ok.

Hopefully you get the word soon to pick it up there.

How long normaly it takes for her to get the visa at 2go??? And where I can check the process of her visa???

thank you

We just picked up the passport/visa today (July 9) at 2Go, Mall of Asia. My fiancee received a text message on her personal phone and work phone that it was ready, and we went right over to get it.

Our interview was exactly 1 week ago (July 2). Also consider that there was the July 4 holiday in there, so it took really just 4 "business" days to arrive at 2Go MOA. So if you are picking up in the same place, that is hopefully a good indication for you.

Note on the tracking methods:

• The tracking method on 2Go website NEVER showed a valid number. I checked constantly since the day of the interview.
• CEAC tracking changed from "ready" to "issued" on July 5 (2 business days later), and that was it.
• Passport tracking option on ustraveldocs website only showed an update of "received from consular section" for a very brief time on the third business day, I think. All other times I checked, it said "no update available".

Thank you everyone for your response i appreciate it.

I googled and got a response from one of the posters above that passport in the Philippines is valid for 5years, and when my fiancee apply for it, it can take 15days or a month to get it.

As for the NBI some of my fiancee's friend says it took less than a month to get it (case to case basis) and i guess it is valid for one year?

and for the CENOMAR also valid for one year.

My fiancee is going to process those documents next week, she can't get a passport without NBI it's one of the requirements and also police clearance.

When the time of the interview let's say after 8months does she need to have a new (latest) CENOMAR, NBI, and POLICE CLEARANCE?

Thank you

CENOMAR - YES (valid only 6 months)

NBI - Technically, no (but you might want to anyway) - valid 1 year, but it seems some people are saying they ask for an updated form.

Police clearances - only if you lived abroad anywhere (longer than 6 months I think) - get the clearances from those countries.

Our interview was 6 months TO THE DAY of the CENOMAR (Dated January 02, Interview was July 02). I was afraid it possibly expired on July 01 like a passport would. My fiancee tried to get an updated CENOMAR the day before the interview, but the person said it would still be valid on July 02. She asked again to be sure, and the person said yes. Sure enough the interview went fine. No requests for any additional documents and also no questions about them.

Also, make sure you get at lest 2 or 3 extra birth certificates to bring to the US, as they'll surely be needed eventually, and I am sure they would be hard to get if you need them once in the US. You can do this at the same time/place as getting new CENOMAR.

Never make someone a priority that only makes you an option. Move on with your head held high and make it clear that you have zero tolerance for games.

Know your value, know your worth.

He sounds very lost and unstable.

Excellent, excellent advice.

And my sincere sympathy for you. People like your ex-fiance really need to get it together, and you certainly don't need that especially if you would be the one to moving far from home. I have always said (in past experiences) that if I am just an option, I will make your decision easy and reduce your options for you. I will never make someone number one on my list if I am only playing second fiddle on theirs. You are much, MUCH better off moving on, and lucky that you know as early as you do about his "confusion" let's just say.

Find yourself a better "option" - you most certainly deserve it.