return tickets and CFO

[estherboaz]

Hi all - bad evening as I joined this forum too late to find important news :(
After being caught by the recent UK under-21 rules so that my filipina wife has had to be in Manila the last 7 months, we celebrated this week hearing that she had been given settlement visa and have booked I fear a non-refundable air ticket and holiday hotels in UK for her birthday later this week when she was to fly in.
Now it seems that she wont be able to use her ticket as she needs this CFO sticker and I dont think 4 days will be enough (wedding cert needs authentication by NSO, plus course seems to require 5 days notice)
She will be so upset when I phone her in 3 hrs when she wakes up - but she had a friend who got into USA on fiance visa and had made no mention of this CFO business and of course the embassy peeps had said nothing.
Oh I am waffling sry - just wanted to ask if when we finally get together do I still need to buy her a "return ticket" booked for 2011 when her settlement visa runs out - it would seem stupid but I have learnt to trust nothing.

CFO seminar doesnt require 5 day notice.Actually i phoned them about that and they said you could just come without appointment.

About the marriage certificate, she could show the UK certificate and tell them that it is authentic and her visa was approved by the embassy.Wedding certificate needs to be authenticated by the NSO if the marriage was solemnized in the Philippines.She could tell them that she will register your marriage in the Philippine Embassy London when she arrives here in UK.

[John@Roselyn]

Hi there.
My wife called the CFO yesterday for an appointment. They said just turn up, so she went this morning.
They told her there was no need to sit through the PDOS, as she had already attended the Counseling at SMEF-COW. They checked all her docs, took the fee and gave her the official stamp complete with emigrant number and all that good stuff..... Job done. One-way flight booked for 25 Oct...

Its seems it is only the money-making aspect of the fee they really care about (shock, horror!!). Ive never really understood what can possibly be learned from a seminar given by someone who hasnt even travelled outside of the Philippines. Seems equally as ludicrous as us having to attend a family planning seminar at our ages!


You wont be able to book a return ticket 2 years in advance my friend! The airlines accept a one-way booking for a Phils passport holder with a settlement visa , (although you would need a return ticket on any short-stay visa if you are a non-EU passport holder.)