Pre-Departure Seminars for Temporary Workers and Permanent Residents
Required Seminars
Important: Applicants who qualify and are issued visas to enter Canada as permanent residents and temporary workers are required by the Philippines government to register and attend a pre-departure orientation seminar before they leave the country.
These seminars are offered by the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) for immigrants and by the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA) for temporary workers.
Free seminars
There are also other seminars offered freely in the Philippines through programs funded by the Government of Canada.
The Canadian government, through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), also offers a voluntary pre-departure orientation seminar, Canadian Orientation Abroad (COA), for Temporary Workers in the Live-in Caregiver Program and all categories of immigrants.
For those immigrating to Canada as Skilled Workers or Provincial Nominees, the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC), offers in Manila session under the Canadian Immigration Integration Project (CIIP).
Before your departure you may also want to spend some time visiting the Going to Canada website and the Canada International website.
CFO Seminars
Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS)
Participants: compulsory for all Filipino immigrants older than 12 years old leaving the country to settle permanently abroad. Children of immigrants, with ages 13 to 19, are required to attend a Peer Counseling Program to help facilitate their adjustment to a new environment.
Length: one day
Where: CFO's offices in Manila and Cebu.
Cost: for the latest registration fee visit CFO web site
Program: Travel regulations, Immigration procedures, Cultural differences, Settlement concerns, Employment and social security concerns, and rights and obligations of Filipino immigrants.
Peer Counseling Program
Participants: compulsory for children of immigrants, with ages 13 to 19
Length: one day
Where: CFO's offices in Manila and Cebu.
Cost: for the latest registration fee visit CFO web site
Program: to help facilitate their adjustment to a new environment.
Guidance and counseling program
Participants: compulsory for Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals
Length: one day
Where: CFO's offices in Manila and Cebu.
Cost: for the latest registration fee visit CFO web site
Program: to help facilitate their adjustment to a new environment.
For more information and registration:
For more information on the registration and counseling requirements of CFO, their offices in Manila and Cebu may be contacted
Manila Office
Citigold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Ave. corner South Superhighway, Manila
Tel. Nos.: (632)5618321 ext. 104, 105, 201 to 204
Fax No.: (632)5618332
Email Addresses: cfodfa @ info.com.ph; cfomieo @ info.com.ph
Cebu Extension Office
Causing-Lozada Bldg., Osmena Blvd. corner M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City
Telefax No.
032)2555253
Email Address: cfocebu @ mozcom.comCFO
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/philippines/visas/pre_departure-pre_depart.aspx?lang=eng&view=d
