YES! YES! YES!

YES, you need to have a CFO!

A CFO sticker from them!

If you answer yes to the questions below, then YOU MUST have that CFO sticker/paper with you:

Do you have a J1 visa?

Is it your first time to go to the US with a J1 visa?

Again, if your answer is yes to those two questions, then regardless of your category YOU MUST APPLY at the CFO office to get one.

I am a government employee and returning after 5 months from an exchange program, do I need a CFO?

YES! YES! YES! Regardless if you are working in the government or private office in the Philippines or even if you are unemployed, you will need a CFO before your departure.

In some cases it takes a week or two to get an appointment with CFO or for your sticker/paper from CFO to arrive to you, so make sure to plan ahead of time on getting yours.

And, if you are so close to the date of your departure before realizing that you needed one, go straight away to the CFO office in Quezon City because calling them is a bit of a challenge but getting one from their office will usually take less than a day if you have complete documents. They are only open Mondays thru Thursdays, 7am-5pm.

The CFO has an assistance desk at NAIA Terminal 1 that is open from 5am until midnight Mon-Fri except regular holidays, but you will have to call them 2-3 business days before your flight.