A. What is the Pre-departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) in CFO?

Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad are required to register with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), and attend the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) or Peer Counseling Session. Topics discussed include travel regulations, immigration procedures, cultural differences, settlement concerns, employment and social security concerns, and rights and obligations of Filipino migrants.

The PDOS is for emigrants aged 20-59 years old who are petitioned by their parents, siblings, or immediate relatives, including independent applicants. The Peer Counseling Program is for emigrants aged 13-19 years old.

To attend the Pre-Departure Orientation/Peer Counseling Program at CFO Manila, CFO Cebu, CFO Clark and CFO Davao, clients are required to use the RESERVATION and REGISTRATION (R&R) Online System.

B. Requirements

No need to photocopy any registration document
No need to submit ID photos 

1. Original valid passport
2. Original valid visa
3. One (1) valid identification (ID) card with photograph (see list of valid IDs)
4. Payment of PhP400.00 registration fee
5. Attendance in the PDOS or Peer Counseling session
6. Original of the following country-specific documents:
   • US-bound emigrants (except for K visa holders): Immigrant Data Summary.
   • Canada-bound emigrants: Confirmation of Permanent Residence
   • Italy-bound emigrants: Nulla Osta
   • Japan-bound emigrants: Certificate of Eligibility
   • Australia-bound emigrants: Visa Grant Notification Letter
   • New Zealand-bound emigrants: Letter of approval for Work to Residence visa

After satisfactory compliance with the registration process and attendance to the PDOS, a CFO Emigrant registration sticker is affixed to your passport. This will be checked by the Bureau of Immigration on your day of departure.

Primary IDs

Passport, Driver’s License, Postal ID, Social Security System (SSS ID), Goverment Service Insurance System (GSIS ID), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC ID), Senior Citizen’s ID Card, Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR I-Card), Consular ID, Seaman’s Book, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ID, Philippine Overseas, Employment Association (POEA) ID, PRA Special Resident Retiree Visa (SRRV) ID, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ID, Overseas Worker’s Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID, Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID), Philippine National Police (PNP) ID, Voter’s ID

Secondary IDs

National Statistics Office (NSO) Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate (NSO Authenticated), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance, Police Clearance, Barangay Clearance/Certificate, Company/Office ID, Student’s ID or School ID, OFW ID, Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP), Tax Identification Number (TIN ID), PhilHealth Identification Card (PIC), Home Development Mutual Fund (HMDF) or PAG-IBIG ID, Permit to Carry Firearms.

C. How to Make an Online Appointment

1. PLEASE REFER TO PUBLIC ADVISORY

2. Answer all preliminary questions to check if required to attend the PDOS or Peer Counseling Program. Provide email address and click “Submit”

3. Open email (includig SPAM folder) and look for confirmation message. Click on “Confirm Email“ and provide information as specified in the “PERSONAL INFORMATION” page.

4. You will be advised if required to attend PDOS/Peer or if exempted:

A. To Attend PDOS/Peer
If required to attend the PDOS, you will be directed to the “SET YOUR SCHEDULE” page. Click the calendar to select preferred date and time to attend the PDOS/PEER session. Note: Limited slots per session, per day

B. Exempted (Proceed to Step 5)

5. Click “Proceed to registration” button to complete the on-line registration form.

6. Upload your recent clear photo and supply correct and complete information in all the fields required in the registration form.

7. Download and print the barcoded confirmation form. Bring this document together with all the other requirements to CFO on date of appointment. NO NEED TO PRINT your registration form. Please come to CFO at least 2 hours before your scheduled PDOS/PEER session for the verification process.

D. Who are exempted from PDOS?

The following emigrants are exempted from attending the PDOS, but should still register in person or by an authorized representative:

• Minors aged 12 and below;
• Senior citizens (60 years old and above);
• Those incapacitated due to permanent or long-term ailments; or
• Those with mental health issues or psychologically-challenged.

If registered by proxy, representative is required to present the following documents in addition to the usual required documents:

• Medical certificate/report (except those 60 years old and above)
• Letter of authorization from the emigrant (if applicable to the case); and
• Original valid identification card with photograph of the proxy.

Proxies who are NOT the legal/natural/biological adoptive parent of children 12 years old and below must present the following documents:

1. One (1) original valid identification card with photograph of the proxy, and
2. Duly notarized authorization letter executed by parent/s or guardian/s, issued in the Philippines or overseas.

E. Schedules

CFO-Manila

*Due to the capacity of venue

CFO-Cebu Satellite Office

 *Due to the capacity of venue

CFO-Clark Satellite Office

* The changes in the schedule of various seminars are expected to take effect by July 11, 2018.

CFO-Davao Satellite Office

* The changes in the schedule of various seminars are expected to take effect by July 02, 2018.

  F.   Location of CFO Offices (click here)

 G.   Flyer  (Click here )