If a Filipino(a) flew to the UK from another the country (that isn't the Philippines) is the CFO sticker still a requirement? So for example, holidaying somewhere visa free that doesnt require CFO sticker, and then from that country they fly to the UK. BTW - Not trying to do anything illegal or incorrect myself, I just read somewhere that someone had done that due to their plans changing and so they didn't get their sticker as they didn't fly from PH
Depends if you get asked for your full flight itinerary at leaving the Philippines, and how you manage your flight plans! Might cause implications later if you tried to renew your Philippines passport in UK, and if you wanted to revisit the Philippines
The issue a filipino has leaving the philippines has is that they have to get through philippines immigration and immigration can stop them leaving the country. It is a measure brought in to stop people trafficking and the CFO sticker system is part of that process. If manage to exit the philippines then good to go anywhere but issue that you will have is that there is a visa sticker in the passport which is a big red flag to immigration if dont have CFO sticker. May let through, may not. Entire process is crazy to us but it is their process and their immigration people have the right to stop citizens leaving - google offloading for more info. Issue is can you get through immigration and out of country. You roll the dice on that. Interesting point - we got married in UK on marriage visit visa - have to return after that to philippines and apply for spouse visa. Cant get CFO sticker for that and have to ask how is that really different to a fiancee visa but can leave without a CFO sticker. System is generally pointless in my opinion but it does stop some real cases of people trafficking. Seem to remember that CFO certificate is supposed to be required to get new passport in married name but not sure wife actually needed it although she had sticker in old passport. Usual case with lots of paperwork at embassey and never remember exactly what is actually used.
easier to respond to both haha - yes I thought so. We have no issue doing the seminar for the CFO but it is interesting how you can see people's different way of doings things. I know not everybody gets offloaded when they don't have one but it certainly is a risk after a long, expensive process. We do have plans to go to HK before we leave for the UK but I certainly wouldn't want to risk complicating things if / when we come back to the Philippines for visits etc. I totally get why the system is in place, and it is good to stop legitimate tracking, it's just another headache for those of us that aren't.. well.. doing that.. haha. My S/O did his biometrics earlier on today so we still have an 8-12 week wait anyway. Is it possible he can do the seminar now and then just get the sticker when the visa comes through?
Wife did it back in 2017 and had the certificate well in advance of getting spouse visa. Got the course done in advance of the marriage visit visa so about year plus in advance. Just had to go back and get sticker in passport when we had spouse visa. That was the old system where did course and got a certificate that supposed to keep then return when had proper visa.
ah okay, thank you for your response. i've just had another look online and for the online seminar it requests you have your valid visa so we may as well just wait until he has it in hand. Looks like the seminar itself is only about 2 hours long and he already has all my documents (except proof i'm not married before...) so if anything is requested it shouldn't take too long. I just need to look into getting something for myself to prove I haven't been previously married
My wife has just done the process a few weeks ago. She booked her slot while her passport was away with immigration and waiting for her spouse visa (we got married in Filo in Feb). I have put a post explaining how difficult it was to get a slot, they are very busy. We ended up going on line in the middle of the night and doing it. Also you first have to register and wait for the email to then book your slot, we used about 5 email addresses between us as you will not always get the email straight away. I cannot comment about doing it online but the wife said the 2 hours were ok and she could see the point of it. They do not issue a sticker any more, just a certificate. If you complete before you have your visa then it is just a “walk-in” when you get your visa back, with your attendance receipt and they give you your certificate straight away, no further hassle booking an appointment
Sure I've seen this question before - problem arises when you visit Phils or try to renew the Filipino passport or something - If spotted you get told to take the CFO which can be a headache if it prevents you catching your flight home etc when you want to.
totally understandable! I don't think we would risk not getting it but it's just a pain when you've got time constraints
thank you, I appreciate your response. I think we're just going to go the online route since it seems such a headache to get a walk in appointment, plus the travelling there. I can understand to an extent why it gets done, it's just another tick box exercise (whist keeping people safe!) I just wish it was an easier process. But then.... this is the Philippines and none of their processes are easy !
