My CFO stories- Follow up on K1 Visa Application Procedures

Okay, Pals! CFO is a Commission on Filipinos Overseas. I know there are some of you out there who are not aware of this, just like me. I was not aware that there was this CFO or Commission on Filipinos Overseas thing. To tell you the truth, when I first heard of this word, I was like, "What is that?". I thought I was ALL ready to go to the US of A. My fiance (now husband) booked his ticket to go the Philippines and also booked mine to go to America. Imagine, I got my packet from the US embassy in Manila in October. But, before I received that packet, my documents were all in my hands already. The last papers that I was waiting that time was my singleness or CENOMAR. On the 29th of October, I went to National Statistics Office to get my CENOMAR ( I had to wait for one week before NSO released my CENOMAR ). Then on that same day, I got the packet from the US embassy. I have to call the embassy call center for my interview date. It was my fiance (now husband) who called and scheduled my interview date. He chose November 10, it was Monday.

It was not as easy as anyone would have thought. Let me share it to you. Here is what I did when I was still doing what you are doing right now.

So, you had your medical exam at St. Luke's Medical Extension Clinic. After you completed all your medical examinations and SLMEC don't see any problems in regards with your health condition, that very same day, you will know. SLMEC will forward your medical reports to US embassy in Manila. They will show you the CD of your medical reports or medical records before they submit it to the US embassy in Manila. Keep in mind, save all the papers from SLMEC, especially your medical record supplement or the vaccination supplement, I don't remember the name of that document. You are going to use that when you get here in the US

You also completed all the necessary documents that you need for the interview. You are waiting for your packet to arrive. When you have the packet in your hand, talk to your fiance, inform him that you have the packet. I advice that he call the embassy call center, they accepts credit card and it's expensive. As I may recall, I think they charge per minute, I am not sure.

OK, so you have your interview schedule. Relax. Everything is gonna be alright. But, the day before you leave the house for your visa interview, be sure that you have everything. Be sure that you filled up all the papers. There are some US embassy employees that's kinda rude. Be patient. Just keep this in mind. YOU ARE GOING TO LEAVE THEM BEHIND!

Congratulations! You passed the interview. The consul will tell you that you will receive your US visa by DELBROS. Delbros is the authorized courier of the US embassy. They have te instructions on how you are going to pay at Delbros.

Do not book your ticket yet unless you have your US visa with you. Your Philippine passport is in that packet that Delbros is going to deliver. In my case, after I told my fiance (now husband) that I passed the interview. He booked our tickets immediately. He was the one who was so excited when he heard the news, LOL....

When my neighbor overheard that I am going to leave for the US on November 25. My fiance (now husband) chose that date. Mind you, I do not have the visa yet. I was like, OMG! She asked me if I have this CFO sticker. I said, "What is that?!" Then she explained it to me.

November 19, he arrived in the Philippines. He proposed to me at the NAIA... it was like a movie, hahaha... everyone was watching us. He was on his knees, asking me to marry him. Do I have a choice?! LOL...Of course, I said YES!

I was panicky, because my fiance (now husband) was there, we have to leave on the 25th, but I do not have my visa yet and my passport. To be honest, that was a wrong sweet move. but there is nothing we can do, it's already there. So we just waited for the packet. The packet arrived on the 20th, thank God! At last, I could attend the CFO seminar. CFO - Commission on Filipinos Overseas.
All the Filipinos who are going outside the country needs to attend the CFO seminar. It's a one-day seminar only. But, it takes time before you can have your certificate. After the seminar, you will receive your certificate and your badge or sticker. You cannot leave the country without this CFO sticker. They will check your passport if it has the CFO sticker on it. Or else, you will not board the plane.

Here is how you should do to take the CFO seminar:

• Call the CFO office - click on the "CFO"link and you will learn everything that you need to know about CFO. 

*NOTE: Don't worry clicking the link, it is not something like ads or whatsoever.  That is the exact link to the CFO site.  

• Schedule your seminar and they will tell you what else you will have to bring.  Just make sure that you are telling them everything, it is for your own good. Do not forget to mention about your passport if you don't have your passport with you (I am sure your passport is still at St. Luke's after your medical or still at the embassy, whichever way, you must tell the CFO people about your case and it won't be a hassle.)

• The seminar is good for one day only and you are good to go.  
• Bring some money and food.  MONEY because you will pay for something, picture I think.  (Pardon me for it was almost four years when I had my schedule so I am not sure if they changed or not.)   FOOD so you won't get hungry if you happen to wait.
• At the end of the seminar they will give you a sticker for your passport and some papers, too.  Keep them.

Good luck on your seminar!!!

K1 Visa Applicant Procedures

Hello. Like you, I also underwent much confusion while my K1 visa application was still in process. It is not so easy to do such processing if you really do not know where and how to start.

Here is what I did when I was still there in the Philippines and my K1 or fiance(e) visa was still in process. When my fiance (now husband) applied for a petition for me under K1 visa category, I started compiling all the necessary documents that I might need. The petition paper was still not granted but we were confident that the petition would be granted, 100%. I was advised by my fiance to complete all my documents so that when the petition letter arrives, all my documents will be all ready and right in my hand. Of course, those were all with the help of my fiance. To make it more clear, I prefer to type it in full details to make it more easier to understand.


Note: If you are skeptical to compile your documents without your petition being granted, you and your fiance can wait for the notification letter from the USCIS.

This is how I started while the petition was still in USCIS:

I went to National Statistics Office. I asked for a copy of my authenticated birth certificate and my CENOMAR (CErtificate of NO MArriage; singleness). If you go to NSO and ask for your authenticated birth certificate, you do not need to bring anything. Just go to NSO and the security guard will tell you where to go and where to get your form for birth certificate.

You also asked for a form for CENOMAR. You can ask for both forms and get a copy at the same time. I am not sure how much it cost now, but my authenticated birth certificate was Php125.00 and CENOMAR was about Php195.00. You will get your birth certificate on the same day and the CENOMAR will take about 2 weeks to process. NSO will check your status. One more thing: I advise getting 2 copies of each. You will need those spare copies when you get here in the US or anywhere in the world, wherever you may get married.

Go to NBI. If you have your old NBI, local or abroad, just go to NBI and renew it. Mention your destination. If someone tells you that you have to go to Court Of Appeal or anything like that and that you need to get a copy of your criminal records, do not listen! You do not need criminal records if you have not attempt any crime. You know that your name is clean.

I was asked to get my "criminal records" when I went to the new NBI. I was told by that idiot NBI staffer that I could not get my NBI for abroad unless I get my criminal records, with or without hit! Ass**le!

Prepare 2 passport size pictures. If you have 2 spare copies of your pictures from your medical examination, that is alright. You can use that.

Go to google. Type in the word DS-156 form, fill it up with your necessary information. Then save it to your flash drive; if you can print it out that instant, much better.

Google again and type in DS-156K. Same procedure as DS-156.

Then, the last form is DS-157. You can download it if you want, so you would know how the DS-157 goes.

Prepare 2 copies of each DS, you will be asked for that copies when you appear for your visa interview at the US embassy on Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila.

For DS-157, you will go to either BPI or Banco de Oro to pay for that DS-157 form. The bank will give you a stamped Ds-157 form and a receipt. Keep that receipt for future references. I went to BPI and paid my DS-157 there. If someone tells you to go to MetroBank, do not listen! Go only to BPI or Banco de Oro. The payment for that DS-157 form is Php10,000 ++.

I suggested you Google as an option. You can visit USCIS website but you cannot download all the forms that you will be needing in the processing of your K1 visa application. Just for you to get ready before your Appointment Letter from the embassy of the US to Manila arrives. NVC (National Visa Center) is the one that will send the visa to the embassy here in Manila once the petition was approved by the USCIS.

Now, you can sit down and rest while waiting for that Letter of Appointment from the embassy.

K1 Visa Medical Examination Report

My fiance filed a petition for me as his fiancee so we can get married in the states and be together for the rest of our lives. He filed his petition last May,2008. He visited me last April,2008 and we spent a whole one week together. We were both waiting for the petition to be granted. And we have waited for four months only. The petition for fiance visa was granted last September.
So I started compiling all the necessary documents even before I received the packet from the embassy. So when the time comes that I finally received the packet, which I really need to bring it with me when it is time for me to take my medical exams at St. Luke's, I am all prepared.

I complied all my documents on the third week of October, 2008. I received my packet on the 24th of October,2008. I got my Singleness certificate on the 29th of the same month. Then I took my medical examinations on the 30th. It wasn't that hard as I have been expecting it. I went to St. Luke's at around 12 noon.

I asked the guard first, that is what we all have to do for the can give us the idea of what we are going to do. All the security guards there at St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic are polite and accommodating. They directed me where to go first after giving me application form.

Before you go at St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic, prepare all the necessary documents.

1. Passport. Prepare a photocopy but not necessary. Make sure that your passport is valid until 1 year, that is better.

2. One 2x2 picture. White back ground. Showing your ears. Write your name at the back. Also prepare at least 6 copies of your 2x2 pictures because St. Luke's will ask two pictures from you when you have to take your immunization. And the other pictures, you can use it in the future.

3. Appointment letter from the embassy. That is the packet that I received from the embassy. Before you go to St. Luke's, photocopy it. The guards will ask for the original copy of your appointment letter, for checking only.

4. Prepare the money. When you are there and ready for your medical examinations, you will pay the necessary amount, so you can accomplish your task.

Then they will give you your application form.

You will print down your personal information. Your passport number. Your fiance information. His home address, zip code and state, telephone number. Fill out all that has check and better to double check the form before you submit it. If you intend to travel to the U.S in a definite time, write it down, month and year. Don't forget to sign. It is alright if you do not have an interview date yet. That is not a problem.

After you submit your filled up form, you will be called for picture taking. Then you will go to 3nd floor for payment. It should be in peso.

You will submit your form at the counter and wait for your name to be called then they will tell you to go to 4th floor for laboratory test. There's HIV and urine test. Then to 5th floor for physical examination. The processing won't take you 10 minutes. After that, you go down to 2nd floor for immunization. But the doctor will ask you if you want to take vaccination here or in the U.S.? I preferred to get the vaccination here because it is included in the payment which is Php10,664.00.

And it is time for you to get the results. You can smile because you have passed all the exams. Just prepare yourself if you feel uneasiness. It is due to the vaccination. I had my symptoms when I got home and I was feeling so terrible. But that was just for a day. Considering how you would get to be with your loving fiance.

On November 10, 2008 was my interview date. My documents were all prepared. And I was very excited on my interview. One final step to be with the man I love.

Hope I gave you some hint on how to get ready for your medical examinations requirements