Some insights about PDOS or CFO Seminar

Hi everyone, let’s talk again about my US Visa procedures and one of the requirement before I came here in the US. But firstly, let me emphasize this: All of what I’ve written here are based on my OWN experience; the process may or may not change so I would advice you to do more research on this topic, also this is only for K1 or fiancee visa procedures.

Before you buy your luggage, pack your things or get that despedida (go away) party, you need to attend a Pre Departure Orientation Seminar first to get a CFO stamp in your passport. Remember, YOU CAN’T LEAVE THE COUNTRY WITHOUT THE CFO STAMP. Why? Our government requires it and they are so strict when it comes to this rule. Plus you don’t want to delay your flight just because of this right?

Now, what is a Pre Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) and what is a CFO Stamp?

PDOS is required for all Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad. The main topic of this seminar is to help the emigrants prepare themselves for settling overseas. Like adjustment to a new environment, how to deal with homesickness, travel regulations, immigration procedures, cultural differences, settlement concerns, etc. 12 years old and below are exempted from attending the PDOS and are only needed to be registered to the CFO Office.

PDOS Requirement:

• Photocopy of passport biographic page
• NBI Clearance
• Fee of Php250 or roughly $5.50

Address: People’s Reform Initiative for Social Mobilization Inc.(PRISM)
2nd Floor Equitable-PCI Bank Building, 2422 Taft Avenue, Manila
Phone Numbers: (632) 525-3114, (632) 525-3783, (632) 525-4314

CFO Stamp is a sticker, stamped into the emigrants passport. This stamp served as a proof that this visa holder has attended the PDOS and is now ready to travel.

CFO Stamp Requirement:

• PDOS Certificate
• Passport
• US Visa
• Fee of Php400 or roughly $9

Address: Citigold Center, 1345 Quirino Avenue corner Osmena Highway Manila Phils
Phone numbers: (632) 562-3848,(632) 561-8321 ext. 104, 105, 201- 203

*PDOS and CFO Office are NOT located in the same building.



See the importance now? If you are from Mindanao (like me), you can schedule your PDOS seminar in any of the days you stayed in Manila after taking your medical exam and waiting for your interview. I did mine right after I finished taking my medical exam. My medical exam and interview had an 11 days gap so I had all my vacant time to attend the PDOS Seminar. My seminar runs only for 2 hours (but it depends, sometimes its 3 hours), after the seminar, they gave me a certificate as a proof that I attended it. I then went to the CFO office to pay my CFO Sticker, I just told them that I’ll pay in advance and I’ll get the sticker after I get my visa (because they don’t release the CFO stamp without the US Visa).

So I completed the seminar, paid for the sticker, passed the interview then went back to Mindanao. I went back to Manila a day before my flight going here in the States because I need to get the CFO Stamped (remember I did not get the stamp yet when I paid for it because I am still on the process of getting my visa). I gave myself a day allowance in case there are lots of CFO Stamp applicants and it might cause me a delay. True to what I expected, there are more than 50 CFO stamp applicants when I arrived in the CFO office and I spent like 3 hours waiting for my CFO stamp.

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Related posts:

1. My medical Exam at SLEC
2. My k1 (Fiancee) visa timeline
3. My K1 visa processing
4. Helpful links for US Visa processing
5. My First 4th of July and our AOS (Adjustment of Status)