Registration and Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar for J1 Visa Holders
Mandated to ensure the welfare of Filipinos participating in the US Exchange Visitor Program, the EVP Committee of the Philippines, through the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), registers and conducts Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) to Filipino J1-Visa holders.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
Before you register, make sure that you have all the required documents. The following are the basic requirements for registration:
1. Copy of passport bio page;
2. Copy of valid J-1 visa;
3. Copy of Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status (DS-2019); and
4. Payment of P30.00 documentary stamp tax.
By virtue of the EVP Committee Resolution 01-2021, the Committee is adopting more stringent measures in the screening process and approval of registration. Hence, participants are likewise required to submit the following:
a. Notarized undertaking from the U.S. sponsor and local representative: must stipulate that they will ensure the safety and welfare of participants, including the compliance with the international health standards and protocols and repatriation in case of premature program termination for whatever reason;
b. Signed and approved health insurance document: must stipulate coverage of the medical management of diseases, which includes COVID-19, that may be acquired by the EVP participant for the duration of the Program, and medical evacuation to the Philippines and/or repatriation of remains, must be issued by the insurance provider and must indicate your name, validity date and the whole coverage of your insurance policy;
c. Notarized Affidavit of Undertaking from the participant stating the following:
● that the participant has a clear understanding that participation in EVP is for educational and cultural exchange, and not for purposes of acquiring employment or immigrating to the United States;
● that the participant fully comprehends, that after his/her program has ended, he/she will return to the Philippines to comply with the two-year home-country residency requirement of the EVP program;
● that the participant is fully aware of the personal risks involved in participating in the EVP;
● that the participant will be sufficiently insured for the duration of the program.
Click here for the template of the affidavit.
d. Reintegration Plan for participants under the Alien Physician and Research Scholar categories;
e. Clearance from the Department of Education (DepEd) Central Office for public school teachers or clearance from the current/former employer for private school teachers participating in the Teacher category;
f. Authenticated/ Apostilled Contract with Host Family for Au Pair participants;
g. For youth participants below 18 years of age:
● 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); and
● Original DSWD travel clearance.
h. Copy of previous CFO sticker: For 2nd time J1 visa holders/repeat EVP participants who have already attended Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) and have been issued with a CFO registration sticker before.
HOW TO REGISTER?
The CFO registration is online through the Overseas Filipinos-CFO Online Registration System (OF-CORS). The registration process includes watching the Pre-departure Orientation Seminar, filling out the online form and paying online. At the end of the process, you will receive your digital certificate in your email as a proof of registration.
To start the registration process, please create an account through this link: https://vcloud.cfo.gov.ph/EVP
REMINDERS:
• Use a working email in creating your CFO account. Throughout the registration process, you will be receiving system-generated emails to guide you on how to proceed with the online registration.
• The CFO’s office operations are from Monday to Thursday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Kindly wait for 3 working days before sending a follow-up e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• Original CFO registration sticker will no longer be issued starting September 1, 2023.
• CFO clients will only be required to present the CFO E-certificate or digital certificate in print or digital form on the day of their international travel.
• There is no need to pay for courier fee effective September 1, 2023, and there is no need to pick up the original documents from CFO. Your CFO E-certificate or digital certificate will be sufficient proof of registration with the CFO.
• You can, however, pick up your official receipt from our CFO office in Manila. Pick up schedule is from Monday–Thursday from 10 am to 5 pm, after 7 working days after your payment online has been made. Please take note, however, that the Philippine Bureau of Immigration will only be requiring your digital certificate on the day of your international travel NOT the DST receipt.
• DO NOT FINALIZE THE PURCHASE OF YOUR PLANE TICKETS UNLESS YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR CFO DIGITAL CERTIFICATE, WHICH WILL BE SENT TO YOU WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER YOUR ONLINE PAYMENT.
• PLEASE DO NOT PROCEED TO THE CFO OFFICE UNLESS YOU ARE ADVISED TO DO SO TO AVOID INCONVENIENCE ON YOUR PART.
• CFO personnel are required to extend courtesy to all clients. In the same way, we expect our clients to show respect and be courteous to CFO personnel. Any attempt to intimidate our personnel through verbal, written, and/or physical means will be dealt with and offenders will be apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with law.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Why do Filipino EVP participants need to register with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO)?
A: To ensure the welfare of Filipinos participating in the Exchange Visitor Program of the United States, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) as the EVP Committee Secretariat registers Filipino J1 Visa holders.
Q: What is a CFO digital certificate?
A: CFO digital certificate is issued to J1 Visa holders who were able to satisfactory comply with the registration requirements and attend the pre-departure orientation seminar for EVP participants. This will be checked by the Bureau of Immigration on the day of your departure.
Q: I booked my flight already. Can you expedite the registration process so that I can receive the sticker before my flight?
A: No, we cannot expedite the process to accommodate your request. We cannot stress enough the importance of the CFO registration before purchasing your plane tickets to avoid rebooking your flights.
Q: I am encountering technical issues processing my online registration. How can I reach the tech support?
A: You may send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.
