Pre-Departure Registration and Orientation Seminar

 

Pre-Departure Registration

Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad are required to register with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). Part of its registration requirements is attendance in the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) to prepare them for settlement overseas. Those who are 12 years old and below are exempt  from attending the PDOS. They must, however, be registered, even if by proxy. Children of emigrants, aged 13 to 19, are required to attend the Peer Counseling Program to  help facilitate their adjustment to a new environment.

The registration of Filipino emigrants started in 1981, or a year after the CFO was created. The registration process generates an information resource on Filipino emigrants, which provides  reference for policy formulation and program development.

Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS)

Country-specific pre-departure orientation seminars are conducted for departing Filipino emigrants to address their adjustment concerns in their destination countries. In these seminars, various topics are discussed such as:

• Travel regulations;
• Immigration procedures;
• Cultural differences;
• Settlement concerns;
• Employment and social security concerns; and
• Rights and obligations of Filipino migrants.

 

Registration Guidelines

Reservation must be done at least five working days before the target date of registration and attendance in the CFO PDOS/Peer Counseling.

 

 Please call tel. no(s) : 563-1965 or 561-8321 loc. 103.  Reservation hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please provide the following information:

􀂃Registrant(s)’ name(s);

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Note: Reservation is subject to availability of schedule. 

 

Relationship with petitionerVisa classification; andCountry of destination;Age(s) of registrant(s);

Requirements

 The following are required for the registration of an emigrant :

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Attendance in the PDOS or peer counseling session.Payment of PhP400.00 registration fee; andDuly completed registration form (downloadable at www.cfo.gov.ph);Photocopy of employment contract (for immigrant workers);

Original and photocopy of letter of approval for Work to Residence visa (for New Zealand-bound

Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary (for USA-bound emigrants);Original and photocopy of Confirmation of Permanent Residence (for Canada-bound emigrants);One (1) valid identification card with photograph;One (1) 2×2 or passport-size photograph ;Original and photocopy of visa;Original valid passport;

emigrants);

Schedule

MANILA OFFICE – PDOS SESSIONS MORNING SESSION AFTERNOON SESSION

USA and other countries Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. Monday to Friday 02:00 p.m.

 Canada Monday to Friday 09:30 a.m. No session

 Peer Counseling Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. Monday to Friday 02:00 p.m.

Emigrants who are exempted from attending the PDOS/Peer Counseling, and Filipino spouses or partners of foreign nationals who have completed the CFO Guidance and Counseling Program may register at CFO Manila or CFO Cebu Office on walk-in basis between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.  Registration and attendance in PDOS/Peer Counseling in Cebu remain on walk-in basis. Emigrants may call up (032) 255-5253 for registration requirements and schedule at CFO Cebu.

 

 

 

Fees

Pursuant to CFO Board Resolution No. 2006-02, CFO fees are increased effective 01 August 2006 as follows:
Registration Fee	PhP 400.00
Replacement of lost  Guidance and  Counseling Certificate	PhP 800

 

Contact

Contact Numbers

CFO Manila Tel. Nos.: (632) 562-3848, (632) 561-8321 ext. 104, 105, 201- 203Fax No.: (632) 561-8332 E-mail Add.: info@cfo.gov.ph;                  mieo@cfo.gov.ph CFO Cebu Telefax : (032) 255-5253 E-mail Add.: cfocebu@cfo.gov.ph

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXEMPTION FROM PDOS/PEER COUNSELING

 

Children 12 years old and below are exempt from attending the PDOS. They must, however, be registered, even if by proxy. The following additional documents are required if the proxy is not the legal/natural/adoptive parent of the registrant.

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Special Power of Attorney or notarized authorization letter from the parent/s or guardian/s authorizing the proxy to register the minor children.

The following emigrants are exempt from attending

 

the PDOS and registering in person with the CFO, provided that they are registered by a proxy:One (1) valid identification card with photograph of the proxy; and

Children 12 years old and below are exempt from attending the PDOS. They must, however, be registered, even if by proxy. The following additional documents are required if the proxy is not the legal/natural/adoptive parent of the registrant.

􀀹

􀀹

Special Power of Attorney or notarized authorization letter from the parent/s or guardian/s authorizing the proxy to register the minor children.

The following emigrants are exempt from attending

 

the PDOS and registering in person with the CFO, provided that they are registered by a proxy:One (1) valid identification card with photograph of the proxy; and􀂃Those who are 65 years old and above;

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Those incapacitated due to permanent or long-term ailments; and

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Those with mental illness or psychiatric disability.

In the registration of the above immigrants, the proxy is required to present the following requirements in

addition to the usual requirements:

 

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Medical certificate/report (except those 65 years old and above);

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Letter of authorization from the emigrant (if applicable to the case); and

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Original and photocopy of a valid identification card with photograph of the proxy.

 

Source: CFO