QUEZON CITY, (PIA) –Outbound Filipino spouses and partners of foreign nationals with tourist or non-immigrant visas can leave the country without having to undergo the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) – Guidance and Counselling Program (GCP) starting September 3, 2023.
Starting September 3, 2023, they only need to present proof of sponsorship and other documents showing their travel is intended for a limited period.
This is pursuant to the 2023 Revised Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Guidelines on Departure Formalities for International-Bound Filipino Passengers.
However, certain categories of international-bound passengers are still mandated to undergo the CFO-GCP to secure the Guidance and Counseling Certificate (GCC) and the CFO sticker before leaving the country. This includes individuals holding a (1) J1 visa bound for the USA, (2) immigrant, long-term, or permanent residence visas (spouse, fiancé/partner visa), and Au Pair visa holders bound for Europe.
The compulsory pre-departure registration of the CFO is pursuant to the Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking Act as amended by RA 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Person Act, RA 11862 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022 and RA 10906 or an Act Providing Stronger Measures Against Unlawful Practices, Businesses, and Schemes of Matching and Offering Filipinos to Foreign Nationals for Purposes of Marriage of Common Law Partnership.
CFO-GCP is designed to safeguard the well-being of Filipino individuals planning to move abroad as fiancées or spouses of foreign citizens and to serve as a strong deterrent against schemes like mail-order brides and human trafficking disguised as marriages.
The program aims to equip passengers with comprehensive information about the practical aspects of intermarriage and migration, their rights and responsibilities overseas, available support networks for migrants in challenging situations, and awareness of the cultural and social dynamics abroad.
Participation in the Guidance and Counselling Program (GCP) can be accomplished online via the Overseas Filipinos – CFO Online Registration System (OF-CORS), or in person at the main office in Manila, as well as satellite offices in Cebu and Davao through the Reserve and Registration (R&R) process.
OPTION (1): ON-SITE or WITH FACE TO FACE TRANSACTION (R&R)
A. How to make an appointment?
1. Reserve and Register online via the CFO website (cfo.gov.ph) to attend the Guidance and Counseling Program (GCP) personally.
2. Answer the preliminary questions and provide your e-mail address, choose the date of appointment, and provide you and your Fiancé (e)/Spouse/ Partner’s personal information.
3. Open email (including SPAM folder) and look for a confirmation message from the CFO. Click on “Confirm Email“, and provide information as specified in the “PERSONAL INFORMATION” page.
4. Complete the online registration procedure, and print the barcoded confirmation form or save a digital copy (PDF format) on your mobile, phone, or tablet.
5. Go to the CFO (chosen office -Manila, Cebu, or Davao) on the confirmed date at least one hour before your appointment, and bring the complete GCP requirements.
B. Requirements
1. Barcoded Confirmation form of GCP appointment
2. Two valid identification cards with a photo
3. Marriage Certificate (PSA) or if married overseas original Report of Marriage duly registered by the Philippine Embassy/ Consulate or the Department of Foreign Affairs
Registration Requirements (for those with visa):
1. Two valid identification cards
2. Original Valid Passport
3. Original Valid Visa
4. CFO Guidance and Counseling Certificate
OPTION (2): ONLINE or NO NEED FOR PERSONAL APPEARANCE AT ANY CFO OFFICES (OFCORS)
Overseas Filipinos CFO Online Registration System – OFCORS (online) is a venue for CFO clients to access all CFO’s frontline services online.Through this, clients need not go to any CFO office to avail of pre-departure services. They could just print their own OF-CORS digital certificate, which will be presented to the Bureau of Immigration on the day of their departure.
A. How to register using OF-CORS?
Clients may register through OFCORS to participate in the tele-counseling/tele-conferencing via CFO website: cfo.gov.ph.
B. Requirements
1. Clear copy of valid passport;
2.Clear copy of valid visa;
3. Petitioner’s passport; and
4. Marriage certificate and/ or Report of Marriage (ROM) in Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) security paper. (If married).
GCP applicants (onsite and online) are also advised to have the following documents ready (if applicable) and submit them to the assigned counselor/facilitator if asked.
Additional documents that might be deemed necessary by the counselor:
1. Divorce decree/certificate (of Filipino spouse or foreign spouse, if previously married)
2. Annulment paper (of Filipino spouse or foreign spouse, if previously married)
3. Proof of residency/Alien Registration Card-ARC (of a foreign spouse)
4. Proof of relationship (picture together, e-mails, among others)
5. Death certificate (of Filipino spouse or foreign spouse, if widow/widower)
6. Certificate of Family relations/registration (of foreign spouse)
7. Declaration of undertaking of travel in letter format to include the following activities to prepare for travel, Itinerary of Travel, and how to ensure safe travel and stay (if required by counselor/facilitator)
8. Affidavit of invitation and support (financial support/safety/medical insurance) notarized and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate which has jurisdiction over the destination or host country (if required by counselor/facilitator)
9. Explanation on why the foreign partner cannot travel to the Philippines in letter format ( if required by counselor/facilitator)
10. Valid no criminal records certification/clearance or any equivalent document to indicate lack of criminal derogatory record or medical/psychological condition ( if required by counselor/facilitator)
The CFO also reminds the public that the agency does not collect registration fees from its clients. Passengers who will be processing their CFO documents through OFCORS will only be charged the courier and convenience fees that are required by its partner service providers.
For additional information about CFO-GCP, you may visit the CFO website at cfo.gov.ph. (DJC/PIA-NCR)
