Pre-Departure Registration and Orientation Seminars

Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad are required to register with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Part of its registration requirements is attendance in the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) to prepare them for settlement overseas.

Country-specific PDOS are conducted for 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.

Those who are 12 years old and below are exempted 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. The registration process generates an information resource on Filipino emigrants, which provides reference for policy formulation and program development.

Requirements for Registration

Original and photocopy of passport (must be valid about six months before date of travel)
Original and photocopy of visa
One (1) 2x2 or passport-size photograph
One (1) valid identification card with photograph (eg., SSS ID, GSIS E-card, PRC ID, driver's license, postal ID, ARC, etc.)
Photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary for USA-bound emigrant (must not be detached from visa packet)
Original and photocopy of Confirmation of Permanent Residence for Canada-bound emigrant (must not be torn or signed before departure)
Original and photocopy of Certificate of Eligibility for Japan-bound emigrant
Original and photocopy of Nulla Osta (for Italy-bound emigrants)
Original and photocopy of letter of approval for Work to Residence visa (for New Zealand-bound emigrants)
Printed copyof Visa Grant Notification Letter (for Australia-bound emigrants)
Photocopy of employment contract (for immigrant workers)
Duly completed registration form for Emigrants (click here) or for Immigrant Workers (click here)
Payment of P400.00 registration fee
Attendance in the PDOS, guidance counseling or peer counseling session

For youth emigrants aged 13 to 17, the following additional documents are also required:

Photocopy of parent's passport or valid identification card, if accompanied by parent/s during registration
Letter of authorization from parent/s authorizing the guardian to register the child with CFO on their behalf (if accompanied by guardian during registration)
Original and photocopy of DSWD travel clearance (click here for the new guidelines on issuance of travel clearance)

For children 12 years old and below, the following additional documents are required if the proxy is not the legal/natural/adoptive parent of the registrant.

Original and photocopy of one(1) of valid identification card with photograph of the proxy
Special Power of Attorney authenticated by Diplomatic Post if parent/s/ or guardian/s are based overseas; or a duly notarized authorization letter executed by parent/s or guardian/s while in the Philippines.
Other documents that may be required by the registration officers.

Note: After satisfactory completion of the requirements, an emigrant registration sticker is affixed to the emigrant's passport

Schedule of Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (first come, first served)

Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar Schedule for Filipino Emigrants (effective 16 July 2012) (CFO Manila)
Destination Country	Day	Time
United States of America	Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (70 slots everyday)*	10:00 am - 12:00 nn
United States of America	Tuesdays and Fridays (70 slots everyday)*	2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Canada	Monday to Friday *(60 slots everyday)*	9:30 am - 12:00 nn
Europe	Tuesdays and Fridays (70 slots everyday)*	10:00 am - 12:00 nn
Australia and New Zealand	Tuesdays and Fridays (60 slots everyday)*	2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Japan and other Asian countries	Mondays and Thursdays (70 slots everyday)*	2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Schedule of Peer Counseling Sessions for Filipino Youth Emigrants (13-19 Years Old) (CFO Manila)
Destination Country	Day	Time
All Countries	Monday to Friday (25 slots per session)*	9:30 am - 12:00 nn 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Combined Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar and Peer Counseling Session schedule for Emigrants 13-59 Years Old (No Reservation/First-come, first-serve basis) (CFO Cebu City)
Destination Country	Day	Time
United States of America and Canada	Monday to Friday (40 slots per session)*	10:00 am - 12:00nn
Australia and New Zealand	Mondays and Wednesdays (40 slots per session)*	10:00 am - 12:00nn
Japan	Tuesdays and Thursdays (40 slots per session)*	10:00 am - 12:00nn
Europe and other countires	Fridays (40 slots per session)*	10:00 am - 12:00nn

*Due to capacity of venue

Note: Emigrants attending the PDOS or Peer Counseling Session must be at the CFO office at least 1 hour before their schedule to complete the registration requirements.

Registration Procedure for Filipino Emigrants and Filipino Spouses and Other Partners of Foreign Nationals

1. Issuance of Registration Form	2. Completion of CFO registration form	3. Verification of Registration Forms (proceed to Counter 2)

4. Payment of Authorized Registration Fee (proceed to Counter 3)	5. Attendance to Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar/Peer Counseling	6. Passport Releasing