CFO
GCP or PDOS Seminar?
Which is for you?
Notice: For the GCP seminar, appointments openings are about a month out, to save time complete the seminar before the interview if possible.
The GCP seminar is for the spouse/fiancee of a U.S. citizen
Scheduling GCP:
Manila/Cebu/Clark/Davao: http://cfo.gov.ph/filipino-spouses-and-partners-of-foreign-nationals/
Scheduling GCP:
Manila/Cebu/Clark/Davao: http://cfo.gov.ph/filipino-spouses-and-partners-of-foreign-nationals/
**WARNING! CFO-DAVAO **
*** There have been numerous reports of CFO-GCP in Davao being EXTREMELY difficult to complete. They are know to ask for documentation that doesn't exist or is extremely difficult to obtain. Best suggestion is to avoid this branch of CFO, even if you live in Davao ***
What documents you need to bring:
The "other documents" clause can be ANYTHING with CFO, the above info covers the majority of documents.
Manila - When you get to the 3rd floor, You'd be asked to fill up an Information Sheet. (Yes, you have to fill it up there, It's not the downloadable form on the CFO website.) Make sure you answer ALL questions/fields. Rendering this incomplete will be one of their criterias for you to be "HELD/ON HOLD" for one on one counseling.
Information Needed on the Form:
(I suggest your fiance, USC, sends you a copy of the completed I-129F as it will have much of this information)
- Basic Information about you, the fiance(e)/spouse (Name, Address, Birthday, etc.; Your Birthplace is important too, specify which city/town/area/province)\
- Basic Information about your petitioner (Sometimes you are going to be asked for the Birth Certificate copy)
- FULL MAIDEN NAME of fiance(e)/spouse's MOTHER
- Contact person in the Philippines, specifically immediate family as in Father, Mother, Siblings.
- Landline Number of Petitioner. (I know, I know, most of you guys don't use landlines now. That's what was running through my mind too.) If no landline is available, Landline of Petitioner's Nearest Relative or Petitioner's Neighbor.
- Petitioner's Educational Attainment, Degree/Course, Occupation
- Information on Petitioner's Divorce/Annulment/Death of previous wife or husband. You must have a copy of the Divorce Decree/Death Certificate.
- ZIPCODES. Both the petitioner and the beneficiary. Never forget to write those down.
ONE ON ONE INTERVIEW
Good news - there is nothing to fear with the one on one interview. As long as you know your fiance/spouse, your relationship is legitimate, you answer her questions responsively, clearly and honestly, everything will be perfect. Interview takes around 3 minutes. Look the counsular in the eyes when speaking, be confident and self-assured.
Here are questions commonly asked:
***
CFO Informational Brochure: http://cfo.gov.ph/images/publications/US_infokit.pdf
** From the Family Code of the Philippines**
(CFO does not always ask for this, but just in case)
It states; 21-25 years old for advice and 18-21 years old for consent. Bring the ID of the parents, plus copies, the newer postal ID should be adequate .
An attorney in your area should have this form, being they will also have to notarize it for you.
What documents you need to bring:
- Required documents & "OTHER DOCUMENTS" they ask for at CFO: originals & copies of; CENOMAR (CEMAR and marriage certificate if married), PSA certified birth certificate. Passport and copies of 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. If you have never been married before be prepared to provide a copy of your ITR to prove your singleness... of course BLACKENING out the SSN for sure.
- >>> Proof of residency/Alien Registration Card-ARC (of foreign spouse) <<<< THIS IS ONLY NEEDED FOR FOREIGNER RESIDING IN THE PHILIPPINES Most DO NOT need this
The "other documents" clause can be ANYTHING with CFO, the above info covers the majority of documents.
Manila - When you get to the 3rd floor, You'd be asked to fill up an Information Sheet. (Yes, you have to fill it up there, It's not the downloadable form on the CFO website.) Make sure you answer ALL questions/fields. Rendering this incomplete will be one of their criterias for you to be "HELD/ON HOLD" for one on one counseling.
Information Needed on the Form:
(I suggest your fiance, USC, sends you a copy of the completed I-129F as it will have much of this information)
- Basic Information about you, the fiance(e)/spouse (Name, Address, Birthday, etc.; Your Birthplace is important too, specify which city/town/area/province)\
- Basic Information about your petitioner (Sometimes you are going to be asked for the Birth Certificate copy)
- FULL MAIDEN NAME of fiance(e)/spouse's MOTHER
- Contact person in the Philippines, specifically immediate family as in Father, Mother, Siblings.
- Landline Number of Petitioner. (I know, I know, most of you guys don't use landlines now. That's what was running through my mind too.) If no landline is available, Landline of Petitioner's Nearest Relative or Petitioner's Neighbor.
- Petitioner's Educational Attainment, Degree/Course, Occupation
- Information on Petitioner's Divorce/Annulment/Death of previous wife or husband. You must have a copy of the Divorce Decree/Death Certificate.
- ZIPCODES. Both the petitioner and the beneficiary. Never forget to write those down.
ONE ON ONE INTERVIEW
Good news - there is nothing to fear with the one on one interview. As long as you know your fiance/spouse, your relationship is legitimate, you answer her questions responsively, clearly and honestly, everything will be perfect. Interview takes around 3 minutes. Look the counsular in the eyes when speaking, be confident and self-assured.
Here are questions commonly asked:
- A. What is the complete name of your fiancée?
- B. Where did you first meet?
- C. How many times he visited in the Philippines and when?
- D. What do you like most about your fiancée?
- E. Do your parents personally know your fiancée?
- F. What is your Fiance's mother's maiden name?
***
CFO Informational Brochure: http://cfo.gov.ph/images/publications/US_infokit.pdf
** From the Family Code of the Philippines**
(CFO does not always ask for this, but just in case)
It states; 21-25 years old for advice and 18-21 years old for consent. Bring the ID of the parents, plus copies, the newer postal ID should be adequate .
An attorney in your area should have this form, being they will also have to notarize it for you.
Notice: For the GCP seminar, appointments openings are about a month out
CFO-DAVAO - This is a newer office and I am hearing reports of the staff there being over the top difficult with issuing the CFO-GCP certificate. It may be worth the extra effort to go to CEBU/MANILA/CLARK.
All other immigrant visas must attend PDOS. This included IR/CR-2 and K-2.
Must have Visa In Hand before scheduling the seminar or to register to get the sticker.
CFO-PDOS: http://cfo.gov.ph/filipinos-leaving-the-country-with-immigrant-visa/
Adults: Those 60 and above need only register to get the sticker.
Derivatives: Children above 12 years of age must attend PDOS, those younger only need to be registered to get the sticker.
Ages 13-19 will attend PDOS Peer Consoling.
Must have Visa In Hand before scheduling the seminar or to register to get the sticker.
CFO-PDOS: http://cfo.gov.ph/filipinos-leaving-the-country-with-immigrant-visa/
Adults: Those 60 and above need only register to get the sticker.
Derivatives: Children above 12 years of age must attend PDOS, those younger only need to be registered to get the sticker.
Ages 13-19 will attend PDOS Peer Consoling.
CONTACT INFORMATION
CFO-MANILA
Citigold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Ave.
corner Osmena Highway (South Superhighway)
Manila, Philippines 1007
Telephone: (+632) 552-4700
Email: info@cfo.gov.ph
CFO-CEBU
4th Floor, K&J Building
#4 Don Julio Llorente St.,
Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000
Telephone: (032) 255-5253
Email: cfocebu@cfo.gov.ph
CFO - CLARK EXTENSION DESK
One-Stop Processing Center in Clark (OSPC)
Clark Polytechnic Compound,
Jose Abad Santos Ave., Clark Freeport Zone
Telephone: (045) 499-8119
Email: info@cfo.gov.ph
CFO-DAVAO
5th floor, AMQ Building
Lakandula St. corner, Dacudao Ave.,
Agdao, Davao City
Tel. No.: (+6382) 228-2432
Fax No.: (02) 561-8332
email: info@cfo.gov.ph
CFO-MANILA
Citigold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Ave.
corner Osmena Highway (South Superhighway)
Manila, Philippines 1007
Telephone: (+632) 552-4700
Email: info@cfo.gov.ph
CFO-CEBU
4th Floor, K&J Building
#4 Don Julio Llorente St.,
Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000
Telephone: (032) 255-5253
Email: cfocebu@cfo.gov.ph
CFO - CLARK EXTENSION DESK
One-Stop Processing Center in Clark (OSPC)
Clark Polytechnic Compound,
Jose Abad Santos Ave., Clark Freeport Zone
Telephone: (045) 499-8119
Email: info@cfo.gov.ph
CFO-DAVAO
5th floor, AMQ Building
Lakandula St. corner, Dacudao Ave.,
Agdao, Davao City
Tel. No.: (+6382) 228-2432
Fax No.: (02) 561-8332
email: info@cfo.gov.ph
CFO - Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Office
CFO NAIA: 632-879-5685 or 02-879-5685 (Offices are open from 5am - midnight)
- Terminal 1: CFO NAIA desk is beside TIEZA travel tax desk.. between the entrance doors with the x-ray / conveyor machines..
- Terminal 2: CFO counter is next to the travel tax counter, up front of the departure area
- Terminal 3: CFO office is on the 3rd Floor
Before exiting the Philippines (after receiving the visa and CFO sticker in your passport) there is Travel Tax to be paid. This can be paid at the locations listed in the link below
http://tieza.gov.ph/travel-tax/
Locations for paying Travel Tax: http://tieza.gov.ph/travel-tax/directory-of-travel-tax-offices/
Online payment option: https://traveltax.tieza.gov.ph/
http://tieza.gov.ph/travel-tax/
Locations for paying Travel Tax: http://tieza.gov.ph/travel-tax/directory-of-travel-tax-offices/
Online payment option: https://traveltax.tieza.gov.ph/