Privacy Policy
Effective Date: May 9, 2026 · Last Updated: May 9, 2026
1. Introduction
Asteco Immigration Consulting Limited ("Asteco", "we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy legislation.
Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Karaan Aggarwaal, a member in good standing with the CICC, is bound by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) Code of Professional Conduct, which includes obligations related to client confidentiality and the protection of personal information.
By using our website, client portal, or engaging our services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in this policy.
2. Information We Collect
We collect personal information that is necessary to provide immigration consulting services. This may include:
Personal Identification Information
- Full legal name, date of birth, and gender
- Government-issued identification numbers (passport number, PR card number, etc.)
- Citizenship and immigration status
- Country of birth and nationality
Contact Information
- Email address, phone number, and residential address
Immigration and Application Information
- Education credentials and transcripts
- Employment history and reference letters
- Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, TCF, PTE)
- Travel history and previous visa applications
- Criminal record information (if applicable)
- Medical information (if required for immigration purposes)
- Financial information (proof of funds, bank statements)
- Family information (spouse, dependants)
Payment Information
We accept payments via Stripe. We do not store your credit card number, CVV, or full payment details on our servers. All payment processing is handled by Stripe, Inc., in accordance with PCI-DSS standards.
Technical Information
IP address and browser type collected automatically when you visit our website. We do not use advertising or third-party analytics tracking.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information to:
- Assess your eligibility for Canadian immigration programs
- Prepare and submit immigration applications on your behalf
- Communicate with you regarding your file and case status
- Process payments for our services
- Schedule and conduct consultations
- Create and manage your client portal account
- Comply with legal and regulatory obligations as an RCIC
- Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
We do not use your personal information for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.
4. Disclosure of Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:
Immigration Authorities
We submit your information to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and other relevant government bodies as required to process your immigration application.
Service Providers
We engage trusted third-party service providers contractually obligated to protect your information:
- Clerk — authentication and user account management
- Supabase — secure cloud database hosted in Canada East region
- Stripe — payment processing
- Resend — transactional email delivery
- Google — calendar and communication tools
- Vercel — website hosting
Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or in response to a lawful request by a public authority.
Professional Obligations
As an RCIC, we may be required to disclose certain information to the CICC in the context of a complaint, audit, or disciplinary proceeding.
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for a minimum of seven (7) years after the closure of your file, in accordance with CICC record-keeping requirements and applicable tax and accounting obligations. After this period, your information will be securely deleted or anonymized.
6. Data Storage and Security
Your personal information is stored on secure servers located in Canada (Canada East region). We implement industry-standard security measures including:
- Encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL)
- Encryption of data at rest
- Role-based access controls
- Secure authentication systems
- Regular security reviews
7. Your Rights Under PIPEDA
You have the following rights with respect to your personal information:
- Right of Access — Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Right to Correction — Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Right to Withdraw Consent — Withdraw consent for certain uses, subject to legal restrictions
- Right to Complain — File a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
8. Cookies
Our website uses essential cookies necessary for site operation, including authentication cookies. We do not use advertising, tracking, or third-party analytics cookies.
9. Contact Us
For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy:
Karaan Aggarwaal, RCIC — Privacy Officer
Asteco Immigration Consulting Limited
55 City Centre Drive, Suite 302, Mississauga, ON L5B 1M3
Email: karaan@astecocanada.com
Phone: +1 (844) 727-8326
If unsatisfied with our response, contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada: www.priv.gc.ca · 1-800-282-1376
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated policy with a revised "Last Updated" date. Continued use of our services following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
Asteco Immigration Consulting Limited is a member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) in good standing. This Privacy Policy is intended to comply with PIPEDA and CICC professional obligations. This policy does not constitute legal advice.