Privacy Policy | Atlas Immigration Services

Last updated: January 1, 2024

Atlas Immigration Services ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or engage our services. Please read this policy carefully.

We operate in compliance with Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy legislation. Regulated services are provided under licensed professional supervision with applicable confidentiality obligations.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you contact us, submit an evaluation form, use our point calculator, or engage our services, we may collect:

Personal identification information (name, date of birth, nationality, passport details)
Contact information (email address, telephone number, mailing address)
Immigration-related information (education credentials, work history, language test scores, financial information)
Family information (marital status, dependent children, relatives in Canada)
Any other information you voluntarily provide in connection with your immigration matter

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain technical information, including:

IP address and browser type
Pages visited and time spent on the website
Referring website or search terms
Device type and operating system

This information is collected through standard web server logs and may be used for security and analytical purposes. We do not use tracking cookies for advertising purposes.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

To provide immigration consulting services: Assessing your eligibility, preparing and filing applications, and representing you in immigration matters.
To communicate with you: Responding to inquiries, providing updates on your case, and sending important notices.
To comply with legal obligations: Meeting applicable legal and professional obligations, including requirements connected to our supervising RCIC arrangement.
To improve our services: Analysing how clients use our website and services to make improvements.
To prevent fraud: Verifying identities and protecting against fraudulent or unauthorized activities.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We collect and process your personal information on the following legal grounds:

Consent: You have given clear consent for us to process your personal information for specific purposes.
Contract: Processing is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations to you (i.e., providing immigration services).
Legal obligation: Processing is necessary for us to comply with the law and professional regulatory requirements.
Legitimate interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights.

4. Sharing and Disclosure of Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

Government authorities: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and other government bodies as required for the processing of your immigration application.
Professional partners: Lawyers, notaries, translators, and other professionals engaged by us to assist with your matter, subject to confidentiality agreements.
CICC: The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants may require access to client files in the context of regulatory oversight or complaints.
Legal requirements: Where we are required by law, court order, or government regulation to disclose information.
With your consent: Any other sharing will only occur with your prior written consent.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. In accordance with CICC regulations and best practices for immigration consultants, client files are generally retained for a minimum of 6 years after the conclusion of your matter.

When your information is no longer required, we will securely destroy or anonymize it.

6. Security of Your Information

We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect it from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure. These measures include:

Secure, password-protected file management systems
Restricted staff access to client information on a need-to-know basis
Secure email communications for sensitive documents
Physical security of our offices and filing systems

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

7. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you have the following rights with respect to your personal information:

Right of access: You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
Right to correction: You may request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
Right to withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time (though this may affect our ability to provide services).
Right to complain: You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) at www.priv.gc.ca if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in Section 10 below.

8. Cookies and Website Technology

Our website may use essential cookies, which are small text files stored on your device, to ensure basic website functionality. We do not use cookies for advertising, tracking, or analytics that identify you personally. You may configure your browser to refuse cookies; however, some features of our website may not function properly as a result.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website contains links to third-party websites, including official Government of Canada portals and professional immigration organizations. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to read their respective privacy policies before providing any personal information.

10. Contact Our Privacy Officer

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our handling of your personal information, please contact us:

By mail: Atlas Immigration Services, 100-100 Mural Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 1J3, Canada
By telephone: (416) 845-9398
By email: info@atlasimmigration.com

We will respond to all legitimate requests within 30 days. Occasionally, it may take us longer if your request is complex or you have made a number of requests, in which case we will notify you.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of our services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.