CFO registration for spouses and emigrants

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas: counselling for partners of foreigners, seminar for emigrants. What we could confirm.

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) lists three services on cfo.gov.ph: the Guidance and Counseling Program for fiancé(e)s, spouses and partners of foreign nationals, the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) for emigrants, and the CFO sticker with peer counselling.

When it matters for Germany

• Spouse or partner of a German or foreign resident: the counselling is meant for you. Whether it is compulsory for your exit, what it costs, and how the sticker relates to a German visa: not confirmed; the CFO page gave no details. Ask the CFO.
• Workers hired through the DMW (for example Triple Win) go through the OWWA pre-departure seminar, see Leaving the Philippines. Whether the CFO sticker applies to workers on a temporary permit: not confirmed.
• Emigrants (permanent residence abroad): PDOS. Relevant later if you settle permanently, not for the first visa; details unconfirmed.

Practical

Do the CFO step in good time before the flight; do not pay anyone to "arrange" it. For the German side of family moves see Family.