MBT Africa Holding (Pty) Ltd trading as Absolute Visas ("we", "us", "our") is the responsible party for the personal information you share with us. This policy explains how we collect, use, share, store and protect your information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) of South Africa.
1. Information we collect
- Contact details — full name, email address, mobile number, country of residence.
- Travel and visa information — destination, intended visa type, travel dates, passport details, immigration history.
- Supporting documents — passport scans, bank statements, employment letters, sponsor information and other documents required by the relevant embassy or consulate.
- Technical data — IP address, browser type, device, pages visited, referral source (collected via cookies and analytics tools).
2. Why we process your information
- To respond to enquiries submitted through our website forms or WhatsApp.
- To prepare, lodge and track visa applications on your behalf with embassies, consulates and visa-application centres (VACs).
- To verify your identity and the authenticity of documents you provide.
- To send service updates and, where you opt in, marketing communications.
- To comply with legal, regulatory and reporting obligations in South Africa and the destination country.
3. Lawful basis
We process your information on the basis of (a) your consent, (b) the performance of a contract between you and us, (c) compliance with a legal obligation, or (d) our legitimate interests in running and improving our service — provided these are not overridden by your rights.
4. Who we share information with
- Embassies, consulates and visa-application centres in the destination country.
- Authorised partners such as document couriers, translation services and attestation agents.
- Service providers who host our website, send our emails (e.g. Mailchimp) and provide analytics (e.g. Google Analytics, Meta).
- Regulatory and law-enforcement authorities where required by law.
We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
5. Cross-border transfer (POPIA s.72)
Visa work necessarily involves sending your information to recipients outside South Africa (embassies, consulates and VACs in the destination country, and some of our cloud service providers). By engaging our services you acknowledge and authorise this transfer. We take reasonable steps to ensure recipients are bound by laws, binding corporate rules or contractual terms that provide a level of protection substantially similar to POPIA.
6. How long we keep information
Application files are retained for up to five (5) years after the conclusion of our engagement for record-keeping, tax and dispute-resolution purposes. Marketing contact details are kept until you unsubscribe. Website analytics data is retained for up to 26 months.
7. Security
We apply technical and organisational safeguards including access controls, encryption in transit, secure document handling and staff confidentiality undertakings. No system is perfectly secure — please notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorised access to your information.
8. Your rights under POPIA
- Access the personal information we hold about you.
- Request correction or deletion of inaccurate or outdated information.
- Object to processing or withdraw a previously given consent.
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa) — inforeg@justice.gov.za.
9. Cookies and analytics
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies, including Google Analytics and the Meta Pixel, to understand how visitors use our site. See our Cookie Notice for details and how to opt out.
10. Children
We do not knowingly collect information from children under 18 except where provided by a parent or legal guardian as part of a family visa application.
11. Contact our Information Officer
MBT Africa Holding (Pty) Ltd • Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Email: info@absolutevisas.com • Phone: +27 11 123 4567
