Dumaguete Info Search


Foreign Visa CFO Guidance and Counseling Certificate

Discussion in 'Passports and Visas' started by Rye83, Apr 8, 2017.

  1. Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

    Messages:
    13,106
    Trophy Points:
    451
    Occupation:
    FIRE
    Location:
    Valencia
    Ratings:
    +16,069 / 3,795
    Blood Type:
    O+
    So here is all the information I provided to the CFO to get the certificate:
    My (Foreigner) documentation/information:
    1. Photocopy of US passport
    2. Photocopy of TX drivers license
    3. Photocopy of Philippines drivers license
    4. Photocopy of military CAC card
    5. Photocopy of old ACR icard
    6. Photocopy of Paystub
    7. Photocopy of dissolution of marriage
    8. Affidavit of Support / Guarantee (Attached)
    9. Letter of Intent (Attached)
    10. Photos of my "partner" and myself together. (Showing on phone was fine.)
    (Note: I went a bit overkill on the photo IDs. Two IDs is probably enough but I wanted to prove that I have been living in the Philippines and that I am most likely not a human trafficker.)

    In addition to this they also wanted to know, but did not require proof, of:
    • My education level.
    • Where I was born. (Even though it was clearly stated on my passport.)
    • If my "partner" and myself were having or had previously had sex.
    • My religious affiliation.
    • My mother's name.
    • My x-wife's nationality.
    • The reason why we were divorced.
    (Note: It would be wise to either accompany your partner/fiancé/wife to the appointment or to be available to answer questions your partner might have with the registration paperwork through instant messenger.)

    Requirements for locals are on the appointment slip:
    Counseling Requirements: (with or without visa) No need to photocopy any registration document,No need to submit ID photos
    1.
    Two (2) original valid identification cards with photograph (see samples below);
    2. Duly completed guidance and counseling form to be secured at the CFO;
    3. If married in the Philippines, original Certificate of Marriage on security paper from the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA);
    4. If married overseas, original Report of Marriage duly registered by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate or the Department of Foreign Affairs; and
    5. Payment of PhP400.00 counseling and registration fee.

    Additional documents may be required in the event that the counselor determines it to be essential to complete the guidance and counseling process. It is advised for all the GCP applicants to prepare the following documents (if applicable to them) in advance and bring these documents when they come to CFO:

    1.
    Divorce decree/certificate (of Filipino spouse or foreign spouse, if previously married)
    2. Annulment paper (of Filipino spouse or foreign spouse, if previously married)
    3. Proof of residency/Alien Registration Card-ARC (of foreign spouse)
    4. Proof of relationship (picture together, e-mails, among others)
    5. Death certificate (of Filipino spouse or foreign spouse, if widow/widower)
    6. Certificate of Family relations / registration (of foreign spouse)

    Additional registration requirements for those with visa:

    1.
    Original valid passport;
    2. Original valid visa
    3. Original Immigrant Data Summary (please do not detach fromyellow packet) for US-bound emigrants, except
    4. for K visa holders;
    5. Original Confirmation of Permanent Residencefor Canada-bound emigrants; Original Visa Grant Notice for Australia-bound emigrants;
    6. Original Certificate of Eligibility for Japan-bound emigrants;
    7. Original CFO Guidance and Counseling Certificate (if already attended the GCP); and
    8. Duly completed emigrant registration form.

    Note: You must be at the CFO Cebu office at exactly 8:00 AM for the registration procedure.
    In addition to this my partner had to provide the counselor an essay on an overview of our relationship. (I won't provide a copy of this, you wouldn't be able to make much sense of the Engrish anyways. :wink:)

    All of this might be a bit much but it is better to go over-prepared than have some things you are missing. Also, since I will not be traveling with her through an international airport in the Philippines I think it is best that she comes armed with as much documentation about who she is meeting on the vacation to show immigration.

    See below for how I worded the two submitted documents. The letter of intent was not written prior to going to the CFO, I made that sh*t up to tell the counselor what she wanted to hear after we were told that "friends" couldn't get a CFO certificate and were turned away. I've made it easy to fill in the blanks so feel free to use them if you like.

    We still haven't made the trip overseas so I'm not sure if this will be enough to keep immigration from "offloading" her at the airport. I'll update this thread with the outcome.
     

    Attached Files:

    • Informative Informative x 2
  2. nwlivewire

    nwlivewire DI Senior Member Showcase Reviewer Blood Donor Veteran Army Navy

    Messages:
    707
    Trophy Points:
    196
    Occupation:
    RETIRED
    Ratings:
    +715 / 91
    Blood Type:
    A+

    GOOD GRIEF!

    WHAT A ROYAL PAIN IN THE A$$!

    Sure glad you were able to jump all these hurdles.

    And I'm hoping you two will enjoy your travels wherever you roam.

    But OMG! What a pain in the A$$!

    (As a woman, I'm sure glad I wasn't born or living in the Philippines - talk about a "Daddy State") - man! Forget the Nanny State - a woman has to put up with the Daddy State.

    What a crock - this is so full of holes - this goat rope really doesn't do much to eliminate what it pretends to want to do - to significantly reduce human trafficking.

    Well, you two enjoy your trips and adventures - you're free of Mommy and Daddy for awhile....

    nwlivewire
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. cabb

    cabb DI Forum Patron Highly Rated Poster ✤Forum Sponsor✤

    Messages:
    1,430
    Trophy Points:
    341
    Ratings:
    +1,106 / 241
    You might as well go ahead and marry her after all this work........:wink:
     
    • Funny Funny x 3
  4. nwlivewire

    nwlivewire DI Senior Member Showcase Reviewer Blood Donor Veteran Army Navy

    Messages:
    707
    Trophy Points:
    196
    Occupation:
    RETIRED
    Ratings:
    +715 / 91
    Blood Type:
    A+
    HAHAHA

    I was thinking the same thing Cabb when I was reading W's posting, but thought better to hold my tongue. But hey, W's at least half-way there in that paper chase, right?

    hahaha

    nwlivewire
     
    • Funny Funny x 1
  5. cabb

    cabb DI Forum Patron Highly Rated Poster ✤Forum Sponsor✤

    Messages:
    1,430
    Trophy Points:
    341
    Ratings:
    +1,106 / 241
    Here are some links that talk about human trafficing in the Philippines. The second one specifically provides statistics.

    Human trafficking in the Philippines - Wikipedia

    Quick Facts: Human Trafficking in the Philippines

    Making something difficult typically has the result of reducing that behavior, although I'm open to statistics showing otherwise.

    A adult woman should have the right to travel as she desires. What really needs to be focused on, is what creates the situation (education, opportunity, etc). However, that's always the harder way to solve a problem.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  6. nwlivewire

    nwlivewire DI Senior Member Showcase Reviewer Blood Donor Veteran Army Navy

    Messages:
    707
    Trophy Points:
    196
    Occupation:
    RETIRED
    Ratings:
    +715 / 91
    Blood Type:
    A+

    I think what hit me about all this hassle is that much of the onus of these "preventive measures" is placed on the adult female - the over-invasive questioning, the restrictions on any/all females to exercise their freedom of movement, and the government's "Daddy role" - to my mind, goes beyond the necessary. It's a bit like putting the emphasis on the wrong syllable - like blaming the rape victim for the rape. Not to mention government overreach to any/all females.....

    But when women are restricted in this manner, I suppose it's the easier way for the government to "act" like it's doing the most effective anti-trafficking thing to do.

    So if it ain't broke, don't fix it - just be blind to all the other avenues where the rats run crazy.

    Seems a very possessive policy to me that targets all females regardless of situation or circumstance.

    Daddy State to me....

    V/R,
    nwlivewire
     
  7. OP
    OP
    Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

    Messages:
    13,106
    Trophy Points:
    451
    Occupation:
    FIRE
    Location:
    Valencia
    Ratings:
    +16,069 / 3,795
    Blood Type:
    O+
    Holding a clearance with the USG I was tempted to provided them with my yearly anti-human trafficking certificate. There is a good chance that I will email her that certificate to showo in case immigration gives her sh*t at the airport. If they don't let her through with all that I have provided about my personal and work life I'm going to be properly pissed off. This young lady I'm traveling with (and the PI government if they wish to see all documentation) knows more about me than even my own mom does.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  8. cabb

    cabb DI Forum Patron Highly Rated Poster ✤Forum Sponsor✤

    Messages:
    1,430
    Trophy Points:
    341
    Ratings:
    +1,106 / 241
    Actually, it's targeted. If you read Wry's thread on Cambodian Visas, you will see things like age, education, financial situation and previous travel play a role in this "offloading" process. They seem to be profiling people that are most likely to get take advantage of.

    If your are in the young, poor, uneducated, unemployed demographic, it is certainly overbearing. That said, those are not your typically international travelers. It always amazes how many people in the Philippines have never even been out their barangay, let alone traveled internationally.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  9. RR_biker

    RR_biker DI Senior Member Veteran Marines

    Messages:
    907
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Ratings:
    +746 / 109
    Is this a practical joke that list of photo copies provided to spend a vacation abroad together with your gf...!!??
    I went abroad in 2013 and 2014 together with my gf for a short vacation of 5 days. Upon the first trip my gf has been interviewed @the airport by an IM officer. My gf only did show her valid passport, RT ticket and copy of the email in which conformation of the hotel reservation.
    Upon the second trip no interview or what ever hassle @all.
    Rules & regulations have changed ever since?
     
  10. OP
    OP
    Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

    Messages:
    13,106
    Trophy Points:
    451
    Occupation:
    FIRE
    Location:
    Valencia
    Ratings:
    +16,069 / 3,795
    Blood Type:
    O+
    The rules are the same. Remember that this is the Philippines and the rules are not enforced the same on all people and every immigration officer has their own interpretation of the country's laws.

    Also note that I am not traveling with her. Also, she is not my gf...though this is the story we are telling the CFO and immigration to avoid all the BS.
     
Loading...