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Manila Tread for English Speakers - join here!

rowdboat

Hero Member
Jul 24, 2013
330
3
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-02-2013
AOR Received.
08-02-2013
File Transfer...
05-03-2013
Med's Done....
22-11-2012
Passport Req..
24-07-2013
AJDR said:
We did the first medical on February 10, 2012 and re-medical on May 8, 2013.
Ok so yours is not based on an expiring medical results .... it's just a guess that CEM is processing visas based on expiring medical results and not on a who's first in line basis. hmmm ::)
 

GoonerClank

Hero Member
Apr 14, 2013
787
18
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
15-03-2013
File Transfer...
11-04-2013
Med's Done....
24-01-2013 (Expires 24-02-2014)
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
04-09-2013<br />DM: 23-01-2014<br />COPR expires: 20-02-2014
VISA ISSUED...
Visa Issued: 24-01-2014
LANDED..........
15-02-2014
gcctocanada said:
Hi Seniors Manila Thread,

do we have to go POEA for PDOS or any Philippine government agency papers before flight? is it true that travel agents offer discounted tickets for immigrants?

thanks
You need to do the seminar and get the sticker for your passport before you leave...
http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1347:for-filipinos-leaving-the-

The Seminar takes place in Cebu and Manila and you should assume that it will take a day to do.

So travel agents offer "discounted" tickets but jack up the prices on the fees and taxes. So be careful. I would look online at sites like expedia.ca, kayak.com, hipmunk.com, onetravel.com to compare prices. If you look around you can get a flight for about $800-$1000 no problem. Depending on where you are going in Canada. You wont find much cheaper than this, and if you do I would be skeptical about it.


Here is a good little write up someone did on the seminar in cebu. It should give you an idea what to expect. It is a couple of years old but still very informative

http://valleyofcoconuts.blogspot.ca/2011/03/how-to-get-your-cfo-certificate-in-cebu.html
 

goldenkagi

Hero Member
Jun 2, 2012
389
12
123
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
24 Jan 2013
AOR Received.
None- Stage 1 Approval 18 Feb 2013
Med's Done....
26 Dec 2012
Passport Req..
18 July 2013
VISA ISSUED...
26 Oct 2013 Rec'd 07 Nov 2013
LANDED..........
22 Nov 2013
Hi everyone! Congrats hucards and AJDR on your visas :)

We just got our GCMS notes. As of September 5th it seems like they haven't started the security and criminality assessment. Otherwise, from scanning the file, they think that it's a straightforward application waiting for officer review/waiver confirmation and they received my passport. (yay it's not lost) It also says that "Docs appear sufficient to support relationship. Appears interview waiver may be warranted. AOR sent by email rqsting: - Appendix A, ppt."

This is good, right? I'm thinking we should go on and request another set of notes while we wait.
 

rowdboat

Hero Member
Jul 24, 2013
330
3
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-02-2013
AOR Received.
08-02-2013
File Transfer...
05-03-2013
Med's Done....
22-11-2012
Passport Req..
24-07-2013
goldenkagi said:
Hi everyone! Congrats hucards and AJDR on your visas :)

We just got our GCMS notes. As of September 5th it seems like they haven't started the security and criminality assessment. Otherwise, from scanning the file, they think that it's a straightforward application waiting for officer review/waiver confirmation and they received my passport. (yay it's not lost) It also says that "Docs appear sufficient to support relationship. Appears interview waiver may be warranted. AOR sent by email rqsting: - Appendix A, ppt."

This is good, right? I'm thinking we should go on and request another set of notes while we wait.
It sounds like you are on your way to a visa soon :D Goodluck!
 

JGM613

Hero Member
Apr 13, 2013
345
2
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
19-04-2013
AOR Received.
03-05-2013
File Transfer...
15-05-2013
Passport Req..
30-10-2013 ... In Process 12-03-2014...Decision Made 14-03-2014 as per ECAS
VISA ISSUED...
14-03-2014
LANDED..........
02-04=2014
GoonerClank said:
You need to do the seminar and get the sticker for your passport before you leave...
http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1347:for-filipinos-leaving-the-

The Seminar takes place in Cebu and Manila and you should assume that it will take a day to do.

So travel agents offer "discounted" tickets but jack up the prices on the fees and taxes. So be careful. I would look online at sites like expedia.ca, kayak.com, hipmunk.com, onetravel.com to compare prices. If you look around you can get a flight for about $800-$1000 no problem. Depending on where you are going in Canada. You wont find much cheaper than this, and if you do I would be skeptical about it.


Here is a good little write up someone did on the seminar in cebu. It should give you an idea what to expect. It is a couple of years old but still very informative

http://valleyofcoconuts.blogspot.ca/2011/03/how-to-get-your-cfo-certificate-in-cebu.html

Heh Gooner....Hello everybody!
Just back from spending some time with my honey....lucky us!

Gooner...and OP...somewhere here I think on this particular thread there's a few recent experiences documented for us about experiences at CFO.....dig back to April or June it seems to me...I think the "seminar" gets you a certificate. When you complete the process and are issued your visa by CEM you need to either return to CFO to get your passport "stamped" or certified wherever you took your seminar....OR, MORE economically, you can simply present the certificate at Terminal One at the airport in Manila on your way out of the country. I think Tagums wife used this service..There's a booth inside by the front entrance. Spoke to them while killing time...the fee they charge to stamp your passport is 1600 Pesos if I remember correctly...or ballpark anyhow..and of course the Terminal Fee that they seemed to want to collect there also.

Not sure about "agents" granting discounted travel for immigrants but airlines do...Blackout periods exist and HIGH season discounts wont exist....Christmas and Holly Week for example.Talked to an "agent" today and PAL had a fare good until December 15 that was about 860 CAD tax in...that fare resumed January 15 or so...anyhow...check when it comes time to book.

Does anybody know if SCOS has found someone to take over the spreadsheet?

I've read that there's been a couple of April Passport Requests but only two?

Hope all of our new arrivals into Canada are enjoying the start of they're new lives !
 

Tagum-N.B.

Champion Member
Jan 11, 2013
2,231
47
Category........
Visa Office......
manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
11-01-2012
AOR Received.
manila 20-03-2012 in process july1, 2013
IELTS Request
remeds request july11 remed complete july17-aug 1
VISA ISSUED...
AUGUST 31.2013
LANDED..........
SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
Pauluz said:
lol i guess we have to be inclusive. Tagum, if you join in this conversation and your wife learns about it, oooh boy that would be interesting.
I get limited access to the internet now
 

Tagum-N.B.

Champion Member
Jan 11, 2013
2,231
47
Category........
Visa Office......
manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
11-01-2012
AOR Received.
manila 20-03-2012 in process july1, 2013
IELTS Request
remeds request july11 remed complete july17-aug 1
VISA ISSUED...
AUGUST 31.2013
LANDED..........
SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
hucards said:
I was upset over the Habs loss, thinking my life is in the crapper and all of a sudden my wife gets a call from the embassy in Manila. Her visa is being sent today and he said should arrive in Canada in 5-7 days! He told us her medical expires on the 29th so we have to land before that. No problem there as I have to do a beer run to America.

We are so excited that she can now open a bank account and function normally in Canada.
congratulations to what ever team beat the habs,,,,,,,,oh yeah and a special congrats to you
 

Tagum-N.B.

Champion Member
Jan 11, 2013
2,231
47
Category........
Visa Office......
manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
11-01-2012
AOR Received.
manila 20-03-2012 in process july1, 2013
IELTS Request
remeds request july11 remed complete july17-aug 1
VISA ISSUED...
AUGUST 31.2013
LANDED..........
SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
Dan_from_Surrey said:
You will probably be old and gray before ecas changes :)
if he is as old as me ,,,he is already old and grey,,,lol,,,,,,,,,lets put it like this,,,maybe he will be using the little blue pill b4 it changes
 

Tagum-N.B.

Champion Member
Jan 11, 2013
2,231
47
Category........
Visa Office......
manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
11-01-2012
AOR Received.
manila 20-03-2012 in process july1, 2013
IELTS Request
remeds request july11 remed complete july17-aug 1
VISA ISSUED...
AUGUST 31.2013
LANDED..........
SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
GoonerClank said:
You need to do the seminar and get the sticker for your passport before you leave...
http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1347:for-filipinos-leaving-the-

The Seminar takes place in Cebu and Manila and you should assume that it will take a day to do.

So travel agents offer "discounted" tickets but jack up the prices on the fees and taxes. So be careful. I would look online at sites like expedia.ca, kayak.com, hipmunk.com, onetravel.com to compare prices. If you look around you can get a flight for about $800-$1000 no problem. Depending on where you are going in Canada. You wont find much cheaper than this, and if you do I would be skeptical about it.


Here is a good little write up someone did on the seminar in cebu. It should give you an idea what to expect. It is a couple of years old but still very informative

http://valleyofcoconuts.blogspot.ca/2011/03/how-to-get-your-cfo-certificate-in-cebu.html
yes I agree im sure you can get a better rate yourself,,,,especially if your taking another flight after Toronto or vancouver
 

Tagum-N.B.

Champion Member
Jan 11, 2013
2,231
47
Category........
Visa Office......
manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
11-01-2012
AOR Received.
manila 20-03-2012 in process july1, 2013
IELTS Request
remeds request july11 remed complete july17-aug 1
VISA ISSUED...
AUGUST 31.2013
LANDED..........
SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
JGM613 said:
Heh Gooner....Hello everybody!
Just back from spending some time with my honey....lucky us!

Gooner...and OP...somewhere here I think on this particular thread there's a few recent experiences documented for us about experiences at CFO.....dig back to April or June it seems to me...I think the "seminar" gets you a certificate. When you complete the process and are issued your visa by CEM you need to either return to CFO to get your passport "stamped" or certified wherever you took your seminar....OR, MORE economically, you can simply present the certificate at Terminal One at the airport in Manila on your way out of the country. I think Tagums wife used this service..There's a booth inside by the front entrance. Spoke to them while killing time...the fee they charge to stamp your passport is 1600 Pesos if I remember correctly...or ballpark anyhow..and of course the Terminal Fee that they seemed to want to collect there also.

Not sure about "agents" granting discounted travel for immigrants but airlines do...Blackout periods exist and HIGH season discounts wont exist....Christmas and Holly Week for example.Talked to an "agent" today and PAL had a fare good until December 15 that was about 860 CAD tax in...that fare resumed January 15 or so...anyhow...check when it comes time to book.

Does anybody know if SCOS has found someone to take over the spreadsheet?

I've read that there's been a couple of April Passport Requests but only two?

Hope all of our new arrivals into Canada are enjoying the start of they're new lives !
No my wife went to the CFO didn't know about that booth,,,,,,she had to get the little guy registered too,,,,,,, :eek: :eek: I don't think SCOS has come up for air yet since his wife landed, :p :p :p :p
 

JGM613

Hero Member
Apr 13, 2013
345
2
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
19-04-2013
AOR Received.
03-05-2013
File Transfer...
15-05-2013
Passport Req..
30-10-2013 ... In Process 12-03-2014...Decision Made 14-03-2014 as per ECAS
VISA ISSUED...
14-03-2014
LANDED..........
02-04=2014
Tagum-N.B. said:
No my wife went to the CFO didn't know about that booth,,,,,,she had to get the little guy registered too
OK...was skimming the threads while I was there....missed that....was some banter here about it I thought a while ago...thought she went there..would of saved some traffic hassle maybe..sheesh that city's traffic problems are crazzzzy!
 

Tagum-N.B.

Champion Member
Jan 11, 2013
2,231
47
Category........
Visa Office......
manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
11-01-2012
AOR Received.
manila 20-03-2012 in process july1, 2013
IELTS Request
remeds request july11 remed complete july17-aug 1
VISA ISSUED...
AUGUST 31.2013
LANDED..........
SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
Wow looks like things are picking up again,,,its been a slow couple of weeks,,,,congrats to all who are getting visas etc,,,,,and especially to the team that beat Montreal,,,,,, :D GO LEAFS GO ;D
 

Tagum-N.B.

Champion Member
Jan 11, 2013
2,231
47
Category........
Visa Office......
manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
11-01-2012
AOR Received.
manila 20-03-2012 in process july1, 2013
IELTS Request
remeds request july11 remed complete july17-aug 1
VISA ISSUED...
AUGUST 31.2013
LANDED..........
SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
JGM613 said:
OK...was skimming the threads while I was there....missed that....was some banter here about it I thought a while ago...thought she went there..would of saved some traffic hassle maybe..sheesh that city's traffic problems are crazzzzy!
We even had the little guy get all the vaccinations and paid 7000pesos to get that paper signed,,,,we were taking no shortcuts,,,,even though I know a child is not forced to have vacinations to go to school anymore
 

JGM613

Hero Member
Apr 13, 2013
345
2
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
19-04-2013
AOR Received.
03-05-2013
File Transfer...
15-05-2013
Passport Req..
30-10-2013 ... In Process 12-03-2014...Decision Made 14-03-2014 as per ECAS
VISA ISSUED...
14-03-2014
LANDED..........
02-04=2014
Tagum-N.B. said:
We even had the little guy get all the vaccinations and paid 7000pesos to get that paper signed,,,,we were taking no shortcuts,,,,even though I know a child is not forced to have vacinations to go to school anymore
Its all about the money isnt it...but better safe than sorry..cant remember who it was recently commenting about the "medicals" scam...think his situation was regarding questionable xrays...remed I think ...maybe Dan from Surrey..first set of xrays were questionable and had to return to have them re done...meanwhile...his wife went to a clinic or hospital and had them done there...remarkably they were fine.. :eek:(

My wife underwent a similar scam in Cebu where she ended up having the medicals done...and had to pay for a second urinalysis...same idea...she went to a clinic or hospital...had them done there...and there was NO issue with her test results...just a few hours after the tests done at the "sanctioned" med clinic!

Bass Turds!
 

Steph C

VIP Member
Nov 11, 2009
3,052
71
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
April 30 2012
Doc's Request.
N/A
File Transfer...
Sep 27 2012
Med's Request
April 15 2013 (re-med)
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
March 18 2013
VISA ISSUED...
May 22 2013
LANDED..........
June 6 2013
JGM613 said:
OK...was skimming the threads while I was there....missed that....was some banter here about it I thought a while ago...thought she went there..would of saved some traffic hassle maybe..sheesh that city's traffic problems are crazzzzy!
Hey JGM! Hope the trip was good! If your wife changed her passport to her married name she would have had to attend CFO.