How To Pass Immigration Smoothly

GCP Guidance and Counseling Program 

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) – Guidance and Counseling Program (GCP) is a distinct program of the Philippine government which aims to protect the welfare of Filipino fiancé(e)s and spouses of foreign nationals who plan to migrate overseas. It is a definite deterrent to mail-order bride scheme and trafficking in the guise of marriage.

 

Established by virtue of the Batas Pambansa 79, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), which is managed by the Office of the President, is an agency that promotes and upholds interest, rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos.

This seminar is a pre-departure orientation that is required by the Philippines government. 

 

Requirements

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)
7. Declaration of undertaking of travel in letter format to include the following activities to prepare for travel, Itinerary of Travel and How to ensure safe travel and stay ( if will be required by counselor/facilitator)
8. Affidavit of invitation and support (financial support/safety/medical insurance) notarized and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate which has jurisdiction over the destination or host country (if will be required by counselor/facilitator)
9. Explanation on why the foreign partner cannot travel to the Philippines in letter format ( if will be required by counselor/facilitator)
10. Valid no criminal records certification/clearance or any equivalent document to indicate lack of criminal derogatory record or medical/psychological condition ( if will be required by counselor/facilitator)

 

 

 

PDOS Pre-Departure Program Seminar

Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad are required to register with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), and attend the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) or Peer Counseling Program (PCP).

 

The PDOS is for emigrants aged 20-59 years old who are petitioned by their parents, siblings, or immediate relatives, including independent applicants. The Peer Counseling Program is for emigrants aged 13-19 years old.

 

 

Requirements

1. Valid Passport;
2. Valid Visa or Visa Grant Notice;
3. Valid ID;
4.

a) Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR for Canada-bound migrants)
b) Contract (for EB3 visa)
c) Visa grant notice (page showing visa class for NZ and Australia bound migrants).

5. Additional requirements for Minor registration (12 and below):

birth certificate and  biological parent’s valid ID

(If not biological parents, submit SPA/notarized authorization letter of proxy other than the biological parents, and proxy’s valid ID with photo and signature.)

 

Country Familiarization Seminar for Au pair visa holders.

 

Requirements

1.  Passport;
2. Visa (au pair visa)
3. Contract with all attachments in one PDF file with attestation/authentication
4. Adequate travel and health insurance to cover rebooking and accommodation expenses, if stranded overseas and locally.
5. Seven cultural activities drafted by the au pair and the host families
6. Execution of a Declaration acknowledging the risks involved amid the threat and uncertainties brought about by COVID19 in travelling by the au pairs, host family and the agency (which will be done at the Bureau of Immigration)

 

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𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐅𝐎

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) wishes to inform the public that the following types of NON-IMMIGRANT visas are 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐃 to register with and undergo the CFO's pre-departure program:

1. Tourist/Visitor/Short-stay visa
2. Student visa
3. Work visa
3. Digital Nomad visa
4. Dependent visa
5. Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) visa for Canada-bound
6. Open Work Permit (OWP) visa for Canada-bound

Filipino spouses, fiancé's, and other partners of foreign nationals, former Filipino citizens or Filipino dual citizens who are holders of tourist, visitor, or short-stay visas are 𝐍𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐃 to register with the CFO.

 

 

Holders of working visas should register with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

 

Only those with the following visa categories are 𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐃 to register with the CFO:

1. Permanent residence/Immigrant/Long-term visa
2. Spouse, fiance, or partner visas with direct pathways to permanent residence
3. Au Pair visa for Europe 
4. J1-visa bound for US

For more information and updates, please visit the CFO website at  https://cfo.gov.ph/ and the official Facebook page at 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤.𝐜𝐨𝐦/𝐂𝐅𝐎𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐏𝐡  
 

 

 

HOW TO GET CFO

 

Attendance to the GCP is conducted online through the Overseas Filipinos – CFO Online Registration System (OF-CORS) or on-site in Manila main office, Cebu and Davao satellite offices through the Reserve and Registration (R&R).

Kindly visit https://cfo.gov.ph/ 

 

 

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐘: 𝐂𝐅𝐎 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐃𝐎 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊-𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒

with the exception of the following:

- minor emigrants aged 12 and below;
- senior citizens;
- pregnant women;
- those incapacitated due to permanent or long-term ailments;
- those suffering from mental illnesses or who are psychologically challenged; and
emigrants who stayed for an aggregate period of two months in the destination country.