CFO Counseling Requirement and Guuidelines for Filipino Spouses and other Partners of Foreign Nationals
29 March 2005

The Philippine Consulate General Hong Kong SAR wishes to announce that the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), in coordination with the St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation – Center for Overseas Worekers (SMEF – COW), will conduct the guidance and counseling to Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals a their premises in Metro Manila and Cebu starting on 04 April 2005. the CFO will issue the guidance and counseling requirements at SMEF – COW.

Under the Department of Foreign Affairs Orders No. 28 – 94 and 11 – 97, Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals are required to attend the said guidance counseling program as a pre – requisite to the issuance of passports. The objective is to help the said clientele make informed decisions and prepare them for the realities of cross – cultural marriages.

1. Two (2) valid identification (ID) cards with photographs;
2. Duly completed guidance and counseling form;
3. If married, certified true copy and photocopy of marriage certificate on security paper from National Statistics Office (NSO) or the Local Civil Registry or original and photocopy of marriage contract duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/consulate (if married abroad);
4. other documents as may be required by the counselors; and
5. Payment of Php250.00 counseling fee.

Note: Only 12 counselees in Manila and 10 counselees in Cebu are accommodated per session on a fist come first served basis.

After receipt of the passport and visa, the Filipino spouse and other partners of foreign nationals will have to register with CFO prior to their departure. Registration is done either by CFO Manila or Cebu Extension Offfice, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. An emigrant registration sticker is affixed to the emigrant’s passport as proof of registration.

1. Original passport;
2. Original and photocopy of visa;
3. Original CFO guidance and counseling certificate;
4. Duly completed emigrant registration form; and
5. Payment of Php 250.00 registration fee

Attached is a schedule of Guidance and Counseling Sessions in Metro Manila and Cebu. All concerned Filipino nationals are advised accordingly on this matter.

SCHEDULE OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING SESSIONS IN METRO MANILA

1. NORTH AMERICA

2. ASIA-PACIFIC

3. EUROPE

SCHEDULE OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING SESSIONS IN CEBU CITY

United States and Canada

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00 a.m. -12:00 nn

Australia and New Zealand

Monday and Wednesday 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Other Countries

Monday  3:30 p.m. -5:00 p.m.

 Friday    1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Those who received such text messages or have been victimized by this fraud are advised to immediately report the matter to the Anti–Money Laundering Council Secretariat, 5/F EDPC Bldg., Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Manila, with telephone numbers (+632) 302–3982 and 524–7011 local 2372.

6/F United Ctr, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, H.K.       Tel : 2823-8500 / 2823-8501     Fax :  2866-9885 / 2866-8559