Privacy Policy
This privacy policy sets out how FirstTierVisas.co.uk uses and protects any personal information that you give us when you use our website or services.
1. Introduction
1.1 Commitment to Privacy
We are committed to safeguarding the privacy of our website visitors and service users.
1.2 Data Controller
This policy applies where we are acting as a data controller with respect to the personal data of our website visitors and service users in other words, where we determine the purposes and means of processing that personal data.
1.3 Cookies Consent
We will ask you to consent to our use of cookies in accordance with the terms of this policy when you first visit our website, where applicable.
2. How We Use Your Personal Data
2.1 General Categories of Personal Data
We may process the following categories of personal data:
- Usage Data: This includes information about your use of our website, such as your IP address, browser type, device information, geographical location, referral source, page views, length of visit, and website navigation paths. We use this data to improve our website and services.
- Account Data: When you sign up for our services or create an account, we collect your name, email address, and other contact details. This data is used for communication and to manage your account.
- Service Data: Personal data you provide when using our services, including your name, contact details, and any other information needed to process your visa or immigration applications.
- Enquiry Data: When you submit an enquiry about our services, we process your name, contact details, and any other information related to your request to respond to your enquiry.
- Notification Data: If you subscribe to our email notifications or newsletters, we will process your contact information to send you relevant updates.
- Correspondence Data: Any personal data provided in the course of communication with us, including via email, phone, or contact forms.
2.2 Purposes of Processing
We process personal data for the following purposes:
- To provide our services (including visa application processing, immigration advice, etc.).
- To improve our website and services based on user behavior and feedback.
- To communicate with you regarding inquiries, appointments, and updates.
- To send marketing communications, if you have consented to receive them.
- To comply with legal obligations, such as maintaining records for immigration purposes.
2.3 Legal Bases for Processing
We process personal data based on the following legal grounds:
- Consent: Where you have given us consent to process your data (e.g., subscribing to our newsletter).
- Contractual Necessity: Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with you or to take steps at your request prior to entering into such a contract.
- Legitimate Interests: Where it is in our legitimate interests to process your data, for example, to improve our services or communicate with you.
- Legal Obligation: Where we are required to process data to comply with legal obligations.
3. Providing Your Personal Data to Others
3.1 Disclosure to Service Providers
We may disclose your personal data to trusted third-party service providers (such as payment processors, email service providers, etc.) only as necessary to provide our services to you.
3.2 Legal and Insurance Purposes
We may disclose personal data to our insurers, professional advisers, or in the event of a legal claim, to comply with legal obligations or to protect our legitimate interests.
3.3 Payment Processing
Financial transactions relating to our website may be handled by our payment services providers. We will only share transaction data as needed to process payments, refunds, and resolve payment-related queries.
3.4 Compliance with Legal Obligations
We may also disclose personal data to comply with a legal obligation or to protect your vital interests or those of another person.
4. Retaining and Deleting Personal Data
4.1 Retention of Data
We retain personal data for no longer than is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including for legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.
4.2 Data Deletion
We will delete or anonymize personal data once it is no longer necessary for the purposes outlined in this privacy policy, unless we are required by law to keep it.
5. Amendments to This Privacy Policy
5.1 Policy Updates
We may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with a new effective date.
5.2 Reviewing Changes
You should check this page periodically to ensure that you are happy with any changes to this policy.
6. Your Rights – Access to Your Data
6.1 Access to Personal Data
You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. We may charge a small fee to cover administrative costs for such requests.
6.2 Rectification and Erasure
You have the right to request corrections to any inaccurate personal data we hold about you. In certain circumstances, you may also request the deletion of your personal data.
6.3 Marketing Opt-Out
You can instruct us at any time to stop processing your personal data for marketing purposes. You may either unsubscribe through our communication channels or contact us directly
7. Your Rights Under Data Protection Law – Summary
7.1 Summary of Rights
Under data protection laws, you have the following rights:
- Access: The right to request access to your personal data.
- Rectification: The right to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Erasure: The right to request the deletion of personal data.
- Restriction of Processing: The right to restrict the processing of personal data.
- Objection to Processing: The right to object to the processing of personal data under certain conditions.
- Data Portability: The right to receive personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
- Withdrawal of Consent: The right to withdraw consent for processing where consent is the legal basis for processing.
7.2 Complaints
If you believe our processing of your personal data infringes applicable data protection laws, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority.
8. About Cookies
8.1 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies help us analyze website traffic, remember user preferences, and improve the functionality of our website.
8.2 Types of Cookies
- Persistent Cookies: Stored on your device for a set period and remain valid until deleted by the user.
- Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when the user session ends or the browser is closed.
8.3 Managing Cookies
You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. However, blocking or deleting cookies may impact the usability of some features on our website.
9. Our Details
9.1 Contact Information
This website is owned and operated by FirstTierVisas.co.uk. For any privacy-related inquiries or concerns, please contact us at: