Privacy Policy

Information We Collect From You

When you visit Vanuatu CBI, we collect certain information automatically through your browser and device. This includes your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, and the dates and times of your visits. If you choose to contact us through our website, we collect the personal information you provide, such as your name, email address, phone number, and any other details included in your inquiry or message. We may also collect information about your citizenship, investment interests, and eligibility for citizenship by investment programs when you submit consultation requests or application forms.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for several purposes:

• To respond to your inquiries and provide information about Vanuatu's citizenship by investment program
• To assess your eligibility and assist with your application process
• To improve our website functionality and user experience
• To send you relevant updates, newsletters, and promotional materials if you have opted in to receive them
• To comply with legal obligations and protect our legitimate business interests
• To analyze website traffic and usage patterns to enhance our services
• To prevent fraud, security breaches, and other potentially illegal activities

Legal Grounds for Processing Your Data

We process your personal information based on the following legal grounds: your consent when you voluntarily provide information or agree to receive communications from us; contractual necessity when processing is required to provide services you have requested; compliance with legal obligations under applicable laws and regulations; and our legitimate interests in operating our business, improving our services, and protecting our rights and property. Where we rely on legitimate interests, we balance these against your rights and freedoms. You have the right to object to processing based on legitimate interests at any time.

Disclosure to Third Parties

We may share your personal information with trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website and conducting our business. These parties include authorized agents and representatives of the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission, legal advisors and immigration consultants who facilitate citizenship applications, payment processors and financial institutions, IT service providers and hosting companies, and professional advisors such as accountants and auditors. All third parties are required to maintain the confidentiality of your information and use it only for the purposes we specify. We may also disclose your information when required by law, court order, or government regulation, or when necessary to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of others.

Cross-Border Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including Vanuatu and other jurisdictions where our service providers operate. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your jurisdiction. When we transfer your personal information internationally, we implement appropriate safeguards to protect your data, such as standard contractual clauses approved by relevant authorities, adequacy decisions recognizing equivalent protection, or your explicit consent. We ensure that all international transfers comply with applicable data protection regulations and that your information receives an adequate level of protection wherever it is processed.

Data Retention Periods

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected and to comply with our legal and regulatory obligations. Inquiry and contact information is typically retained for three years from your last interaction with us, unless you request earlier deletion. Application-related information is retained for the duration of the application process and for seven years thereafter to comply with financial and immigration record-keeping requirements. Website usage data and analytics information are generally retained for up to two years. Marketing communications preferences are maintained until you unsubscribe or request removal. After the applicable retention period expires, we securely delete or anonymize your personal information in accordance with our data retention and disposal policies.

Your Privacy Rights and How to Exercise Them

You have important rights regarding your personal information. You may request access to the personal data we hold about you and receive a copy in a structured, commonly used format. You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information, or request deletion of your personal data under certain circumstances. You have the right to object to or restrict certain types of processing, and to withdraw consent where we rely on it as our legal basis. You may also request data portability to transfer your information to another service provider. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to your request within 30 days and may require verification of your identity before processing your request. If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

Cookie Usage and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, and understand user behavior. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences and recognize repeat visits. We use both session cookies that expire when you close your browser and persistent cookies that remain on your device for a set period. Some cookies are essential for website functionality, while others are used for analytics, performance optimization, and marketing purposes. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences, though disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality. For detailed information about the specific cookies we use and how to manage them, please review our Cookie Policy.

Security Safeguards

We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect it against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Our security measures include encryption of data in transit using SSL/TLS protocols, secure server infrastructure with regular security updates and patches, access controls limiting employee access to personal information on a need-to-know basis, regular security assessments and vulnerability testing, and secure backup procedures to prevent data loss. While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but continuously work to maintain and improve our security practices in line with industry standards.

Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or operational needs. When we make material changes, we will notify you by posting the updated policy on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. For significant changes that materially affect your rights, we may provide additional notice through email or a prominent website announcement. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we collect, use, and protect your information. Your continued use of our website after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at [email protected]. We are committed to addressing your inquiries promptly and transparently. You may also write to us with privacy-related matters, and we will make every effort to resolve any issues or concerns you may have about how we handle your personal information. Your privacy is important to us, and we welcome your feedback on how we can better protect and respect your data.