1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Headache - (CFO) Commission on filipinos overseas

Discussion in 'UK Visa and Immigration Help' started by Jerseymarc, Jan 20, 2011.

  1. Jerseymarc
    Offline

    Jerseymarc Member

    last week we tried to renew my wifes Passport and change her surname, but found out that because she's now married to a foreigner she will need to do the CFO seminar first. It seems stupid that she needs to do this now, as all fiancé(e)s, spouses need to take the seminar in order to get the CFO sticker to leave the philippines. For us this means returning to Cebu as this is the closest place to do the seminar and to get her Passport changed. Then we can apply for a visa, return back to Cebu for the CFO sticker which will only be issued after the visa start date. It all takes more time and money before we can start the visa application. It's just another stupid requirement but this time from the CFO. :frust: :erm: :frust:
    I'll post the link to the CFO here as it may be useful to others http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=329&Itemid=78
  2. Aromulus
    Offline

    Aromulus The Don Staff Member

    My wife Jet, went and did her CFO seminar before even applying for the Family Permit.

    Infact that was the first thing she did.
    After getting the Family Permit from the Embassy she went back to CFO with the receipt and the Passport, and the sticker was issued.
  3. Howerd
    Offline

    Howerd Well-Known Member Trusted Member Lifetime Member

    To be honest, I did not even know of the existence of the CFO or of any requirement to attend any seminar and obtain a CFO sticker, until I read your post a couple of weeks ago.

    My fiancee will obviously have to attend the seminar, but will she have to get a new passport after doing so, even though she will be coming to the UK on a fiancee visa, so there is no name change requirement to her existing passport?
  4. KeithAngel
    Offline

    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    No requirement to change passports in fact even after marriage she can let her old passport expire and apply for the new one in her married name if thats what you want:)
  5. Howerd
    Offline

    Howerd Well-Known Member Trusted Member Lifetime Member

    The reason I asked the question is because of what the CFO say on their site...

    http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=329&Itemid=78

    As Filipinos going abroad as fiancé(e)s, spouses or other partners of foreign nationals, you are required to attend the CFO's guidance and counseling session in order to secure the Guidance and Counseling Certificate (GCC) and the CFO sticker. You need this certificate to renew or apply for a new passport at the Department of Foreign Affairs (per Department of Foreign Affairs Order Nos. 11-97 Implementing Rules and Regulations for Republic Act 8239, "Philippine Passport Act" and 28-94). You will also need to present this certificate together with your spouse/partner visa, at the Immigration office at the international airport on your day of departure.[/b]
  6. KeithAngel
    Offline

    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    I havnt read that act in full but two things at the point of passport renewal it is NOT a requirement for a wife to change from her single name seen this in the dfa offices so if she doesnt change her name on the passport no requirement to take the cfo untill your ready

    I believe that would be the work round as it doesnt matter to hrm government what name is in her passport for a visa app just that you have proof of marriage NSO for a spouse visa:like:
  7. Jerseymarc
    Offline

    Jerseymarc Member

    Hi again,
    It's been a long time since posting here, I've been a bit busy and lazy since my return to the UK
    Just to update this thread, you are right Kiethangel as there is no requirement for a spouse to use her married name for a passport, but your spouse or fiancé will still need to take the required CFO seminar before or after applying for a visa then return to the CFO after the start date of the visa to acquire the sticker.
    In our case my wife has less than the required 6 months left on her passport and would like to change her name. So she needs to do the seminar first to renew and change her name.
    Either way all spouses and fiancés are required to take the seminar and get the CFO sticker if they intend to marry in the UK or are already married and intend to settle here.
    My understanding is that the UKBA are not interested in this as this is a filipino requirement.
    Beware I have heard stories of spouse's not being allowed on their flights because they don’t have the required CFO sticker in their passport. I have also read that people have booked flights on the start date of the visa and not been able to get the sticker even a day before the visa start date. Easy to avoid if you know this. :erm::frust:
  8. KeithAngel
    Offline

    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    Thats true we or rather the missus did the cfo a month ago with the Nazi nuns of cebu and tremours of their shock horror tactics are still presenting as aftershocks

    Treat the cfo as if it was the full wedding licence Apllication in terms of documents Photo copies from you both and make sure she has full details of your employment job title namesof any kids you have beforetc etc A photo of you ,we took from our wedding and she needs to be thee early 7.15 or so thursday/fri are the quitest days out by 4 ish
  9. KeithAngel
    Offline

    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    Thats true we or rather the missus did the cfo a month ago with the Nazi nuns of cebu and tremours of their shock horror tactics are still presenting as aftershocks

    Treat the cfo as if it was the full wedding licence Apllication in terms of documents Photo copies from you both and make sure she has full details of your employment job title namesof any kids you have beforetc etc A photo of you ,we took from our wedding and she needs to be thee early 7.15 or so thursday/fri are the quitest days out by 4 ish:erm::erm:
  10. florgeW
    Offline

    florgeW Lady Mod Senior Member

    glad i didn't experience them nazi nuns.. and you are right.. when i took my cfo, one lady was denied to board her flight the day before so she went to the seminar.. additional expense for her as she needs to rebook her flight.
  11. janey
    Offline

    janey Member

    Hi all, can you attend the CFO seminar whilst waiting for your visa? Then go back once the visa(hopefully granted) issued?
  12. bigmac
    Offline

    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    yes.
  13. janey
    Offline

    janey Member

    Thank you @bigmac
  14. Manage
    Offline

    Manage New Member

  15. Manage
    Offline

    Manage New Member

    I am a British Citizen my ex wife also a British Citizen but Filipina.
    my now fiancee is a Filipina and we will apply for her UK Visa next year.
    although now legally divorced in the UK my Philippines cenomar will show i am still married.
    does anybody know if this will prevent my fiancee from obtaining a cfo sticker?
  16. Demus80
    Offline

    Demus80 New Member

    Hello mate so how hard is it too get finance too uk
  17. Demus80
    Offline

    Demus80 New Member

  18. Mattecube
    Offline

    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    Probably
  19. John Surrey
    Offline

    John Surrey Well-Known Member

    Why not marry her in the UK?
  20. Manage
    Offline

    Manage New Member

    That is the intention. Does that make a difference in obtaining a cfo sticker?

Share This Page