Algeria VFS serves as a trusted partner of the Algerian Government and The Algeria Embassies and Consulates Abroad, specializing in outsourced administrative and technology services for visa, passport, and travel document applications.

We efficiently manage non-judgmental tasks such as application processing, identity management, and other citizen services, including passport renewals. This allows the Algerian Embassy to concentrate on critical responsibilities, including assessing applications and making decisions.

Algeria VFS exclusively provides logistical support for visa, permit, or travel document applications in strict accordance with contractual agreements with the Algerian Government.

In addition to application processing and citizen services, Algeria VFS offers Value-Added Services (VAS) to enhance convenience and improve the overall experience for applicants.

Visa, Passport, and Identity Services
Algeria VFS facilitates the administrative and non-judgmental processes related to visa, passport, identity management, and other citizen services, including passport renewals. As an outsourced partner of the Algerian Government and diplomatic missions, Algeria VFS operates through its Visa Application Centers (VACs) to manage:

• Receipt of visa, permit, or travel document applications.
• Collection of biometric data, where applicable.
• Gathering accompanying documents for applications on behalf of the respective diplomatic mission.
• Submission of applications and biometric data to the diplomatic mission for review.
• Collection and return of passports to applicants.

It is important to note that Algeria VFS does not influence or decide the required documentation or provide guidance on comments or details to be included in visa, passport, or travel document applications.

Value-Added Services (VAS)
Algeria VFS also offers a range of Value-Added Services (VAS) tailored to enhance convenience for applicants. These optional services are entirely independent of the visa, permit, or travel document application process and are available for purchase based on individual needs.

Please note:

• Availability of VAS varies by country.
• The decision to use VAS has no impact on the outcome or processing time of your application. The final decision rests solely with the Algerian Government or diplomatic mission.

VAS is offered directly by Algeria VFS under a separate agreement with the applicant and is subject to an additional service charge.
By leveraging Algeria VFS services, applicants benefit from streamlined administrative support, ensuring a smoother application process.

For Visa, Passport, and Identity Management Services
When applying for a visa, passport, or other identity-related services, the client government or diplomatic mission of the country for which you are applying assumes the role of the Data Controller. This means they are responsible for the collection, use, and management of the personal data you provide in your application. The Data Controller role is defined under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation) and may be referred to by other terms such as “Organisation,” “Data Fiduciary,” or “Data Handler,” depending on local regulations in your country of residence.

To understand how the Data Controller manages your personal data, please refer to:

• The specific privacy notice included on the Algeria VFS website for the route of the visa, permit, or travel document application you are submitting.

For further details, visit the “Visas, eVisas & Permits” section on the Algeria VFS website.

For Value-Added Services (VAS)
When Algeria VFS provides additional Value-Added Services (VAS) requested by you—such as appointment scheduling, application tracking, courier services, or self-service visa application workstations—Algeria VFS itself assumes the role of the Data Controller. This responsibility includes managing and protecting the personal data you provide for these optional services.

For Visa, Permit, or Travel Document Applications
Algeria VFS collects your personal information when you request our services as part of your visa, permit, or travel document application process. Acting on behalf of client Algerian government and diplomatic missions, Algeria VFS provides administrative support and biometric collection services for these applications.

The specific personal data required for your application varies depending on the service and type of visa or travel document you are applying for. The requirements are determined by the client government or diplomatic mission, which retains control over the collection, use, and transfer of your data as part of the application process.

A detailed list of the personal information required for different visa, permit, or travel document applications can be found on Algeria VFS’s dedicated website under the “Visas, eVisas & Permits” section. Your information is collected by Algeria VFS staff or authorized partners when you visit a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to submit your application form or provide biometrics as instructed by the respective client Algerian Government or diplomatic mission.

For Additional Value-Added Services (VAS)
When you request VAS, such as appointment scheduling, document courier services, or application tracking, Algeria VFS collects and processes your personal information to deliver these services. The information may include:

• First Name and Last Name
• Delivery Address
• Email Address
• Mobile Phone Number
• Date of Birth (for identification in tracking services)
• Application Reference Number

Providing personal data for VAS is optional. However, failure to provide the necessary information may prevent us from delivering the requested services.

Children’s Privacy Protection
Our services are not designed for or targeted at children. If we process personal data of children, we will do so only with verified parental consent to ensure compliance with privacy regulations.

Algeria VFS remains committed to handling your information securely and responsibly, ensuring compliance with the privacy standards established by our client governments and diplomatic missions.

For Visa, Passport, Identity Management, and Other Citizen Services
When handling visa, permit, or travel document applications, the lawful basis for processing your personal data is determined by the respective client government or diplomatic mission, acting as the Data Controller. As part of the application process, you may be required to provide explicit consent. The details of this consent are outlined in the specific visa or permit application form provided by the client government or diplomatic mission.

Please note that each service uses a unique application form, and the consent requirements may vary depending on the country you are applying to and the type of visa, permit, or travel document you are seeking.

For Value-Added Services (VAS)
When you request additional services from Algeria VFS, the lawful basis for processing your personal data typically depends on the data protection laws in your country of residence:

1. Performance of Contract
   If the law in your country permits, Algeria VFS relies on the legal basis of performance of contract for processing your data. When you purchase a VAS, such as courier services or document tracking, a contractual relationship is established. Processing your personal data, such as providing a delivery address, is essential to fulfilling the service you requested. By entering into the contract, you implicitly agree to the processing of your data required for service delivery.

2. Consent
   In countries where performance of contract is not recognized as a lawful basis, Algeria VFS will explicitly request your consent to process your personal data for specific purposes related to the requested VAS.

Algeria VFS remains committed to adhering to applicable data protection laws and ensuring transparency in the processing of your personal information.

For Processing Visa, Passport, Identity Management, and Other Citizen Services
When you apply for a visa, permit, or travel document, Algeria VFS collects and submits the required information on behalf of the respective client Algerian government or Algerian Diplomatic Mission. This information is used solely to facilitate the processing of your application.

Please note:

• Algeria VFS does not participate in the decision-making process or influence the outcome of your application.
• The assessment and decision to approve or refuse an application rest entirely with the client government or diplomatic mission, which acts as the Data Controller for the process.
• As part of their evaluation, the client government or diplomatic mission may request additional documentation or information. It is your responsibility to provide these to ensure your application is considered further.

Algeria VFS functions solely as a Data Processor, as defined under the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation). This role involves managing non-discretionary, administrative, and logistical tasks on behalf of the client government or diplomatic mission, without providing any advisory or decision-making input regarding your application.

For Providing Value-Added Services (VAS)
When Algeria VFS acts as a Data Controller to provide additional services, your information is used for:

• Appointment Scheduling: Booking an appointment with a visa submission officer at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
• Identity Validation: Verifying your identity when you collect your travel document.
• Application Tracking: Enabling you to monitor the progress of your application.
• Additional Services: Delivering requested services, such as courier delivery, which requires your delivery address and recipient details.
• Communication: Sending you requested information or updates about services that may interest you, with your prior consent.

Algeria VFS ensures that all personal data used for these services is processed responsibly and in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

For Visa Applications

• Transmission to Client Government/Diplomatic Mission:
  Once your visa application data is transmitted to the respective client government or diplomatic mission, it is deleted from Algeria VFS’s systems.

• Retention for Appointment Arrangements:
  Only your name, contact details, and passport number are retained for scheduling and managing your appointment.

• Retention Period by Region:

• Personal data is retained until the passport is returned to the applicant and deleted thirty (30) daysthereafter.

• Follow-Up or Complaints:
  If you contact Algeria VFS with follow-up queries or complaints, your contact information and any related details are retained only for the time necessary to resolve the matter.

• Statutory Obligations:
  Certain information (e.g., invoices) is legally required to be retained for a longer period to comply with statutory obligations, such as taxation laws.

For Value-Added Services (VAS)

For services like courier delivery of travel documents:

• A minimal amount of personal contact information is retained temporarily to complete the requested service.
• This information is kept only for the time necessary to address any potential queries or issues related to the service.

Algeria VFS ensures that data is retained only for the minimum duration necessary and securely deleted thereafter.

When Processing Visa, Passport, and Related Services

• Sharing with Client Governments/Diplomatic Missions:
  Algeria VFS shares your personal information with the respective client government or diplomatic mission that oversees your visa, permit, travel document, or consular service application. This includes the personal information you provide to support your application.

• In Case of Complaints or Data Requests:
  Personal information may also be shared with the relevant client government or diplomatic mission in response to a complaint, request, or data access request received from you.

When Providing Value-Added Services (VAS)

• Sharing with Partners for Service Delivery:
  If necessary to fulfill your request or deliver an additional service, your contact information may be shared with trusted partners.

  • Example: For courier delivery of travel documents, your name, delivery address, and contact phone number will be shared with the courier service.

• Partner Selection:
  Algeria VFS ensures all partners maintain an adequate level of data protection.

Commitment to Data Privacy

• No Sale of Personal Data:
  Algeria VFS does not sell your personal data to third parties, as explicitly stated in its internal Privacy Policy.

Algeria VFS strictly limits information sharing to authorized entities and ensures robust data protection practices are in place.

When Processing Visa, Passport, and Related Services

• Transfers to the Client Government’s Home Country:
  Your personal information, collected as part of your visa, permit, or travel document application, is transferred offshore from the country of your application to the home country of the client government or diplomatic mission you applied to.

When Providing Value-Added Services (VAS)

• Internal Transfers Within Algeria VFS:
  To support services like appointment scheduling, application tracking, and invoicing, your personal data may be shared with Third party or within Algeria VFS to one of its data centers located in Algeria.

• Transfers Outside the European Economic Area (EEA):

  • If your personal data is transferred to recipients outside the EEA, Algeria VFS ensures robust data protection measures.
  • Safeguards Implemented:
    • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) established by the European Commission are signed with entities outside the EEA that process your personal data, ensuring compliance with EU data protection standards.

Algeria VFS is committed to safeguarding your personal information during offshore transfers and ensures that such transfers comply with applicable data protection regulations.

Data Subject Rights in Relation to Visa, Passport, Identity Management, and Other Citizen Services

As an authorized contractor for client governments and diplomatic missions, Algeria VFS does not have direct access to the information you submit as part of your visa, permit, or travel document application. This includes any copies of your visa application or information you provide in connection with the application.

To access or exercise your rights concerning this information, you must contact the Data Controller of the respective client government or diplomatic mission. Contact details can be found in the privacy notice on the specific website of the visa/permit or travel document application route you applied for.

Data Subject Rights for Additional Services Provided by Algeria VFS

Under various data protection laws, you have rights regarding how your personal data is handled. These privacy rights may vary by country, but Algeria VFS enables you to exercise a full range of data protection rights depending on the jurisdiction. These rights include, but are not limited to:

• Right to be informed: You have the right to know how your personal information is being used.
• Right of access: You can request access to a copy of your personal information.
• Right to rectification: If your personal information is incorrect, you have the right to have it corrected.
• Right to erasure: You can request the deletion of your personal information, where permitted by law.
• Right to restrict processing: You can request to restrict the processing of your personal data.
• Right to data portability: You have the right to transfer your personal data to another service provider.
• Right to object: You can object to the way your personal information is used.
• Rights in relation to automated decision-making and profiling: You have rights concerning decisions made solely by automated processes, including profiling.

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of your data protection rights, please contact Algeria VFS through the Data Subject Access Rights Form.

Accessing Your Information: Authentication

To protect your privacy, we may request additional details about your last interaction with Algeria VFS to authenticate that the request is genuinely from you. These details will only be enough to verify your identity and ensure that your request is being made by you, not by someone else masquerading as you. We will never ask for excessive or unnecessary information.

When you provide us with personal information, we take measures to ensure that it is securely handled. We use encryption and other security practices to protect sensitive data.

• Secure Web Pages: When you are on a secure page on our website, a lock icon will appear in the address bar of most web browsers. This indicates that the transfer of information from your browser to our servers is encrypted, helping to ensure your data is protected during transmission.

• Email Security: Please note that emails may be transmitted over the internet, and while we take precautions to protect your information, we cannot guarantee 100% security through email communication. As such, we advise against sending personal information via email.

CCTV

At Algeria VFS, we prioritize the safety and security of our staff and customers. To ensure this, CCTV systems are used at our premises, where permitted by law.

• CCTV Notices: Appropriate signage is displayed in our Visa Application Centers (VACs) and offices, notifying you that CCTV recording is taking place.
• Data Retention: CCTV footage is kept for a specific period in accordance with the requirements of the client governments/diplomatic missions we work with, as well as applicable local laws.

Guarding Services

To maintain high security standards, Algeria VFS may employ guarding services at our VACs and offices.

• Access Control: In some locations, you may be required to identify yourself before entering our premises to ensure secure access.

Use of Cookies

Algeria VFS uses cookies on its websites, as do many other websites. A cookie is a small piece of information sent by an organization to your browser, where it is stored on your device. Here’s how we use cookies:

• Statistical Information: Cookies help us collect data about your browsing actions and patterns. These cookies do not identify you as an individual.
• User Preferences: Cookies store your preferred language settings and help the browser track which pages you have already visited, allowing you to use the “Back” function.
• Website Improvement: Cookies help enhance your experience and allow us to deliver more personalized services.

You can choose whether to accept or refuse cookies when visiting our website, and you can modify your cookie settings at any time.

Please note: Disabling cookies may reduce the functionality of our website. For more detailed information, refer to our Cookies Disclosure Notice.

Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to external sites run by other organizations. This Privacy Notice applies exclusively to our website, so we recommend reviewing the privacy statements of any third-party websites you visit.

• Responsibility for Third-party Sites: While we perform checks before linking to external websites, we cannot be held responsible for their privacy practices. It’s important to review the privacy notices of any third-party sites you visit.

If you have any questions about our privacy practices or need assistance with any of the following, please feel free to contact us:

1. Visa Applications/Status-related Matters
   For inquiries related to visa applications or the status of your application, please contact our Customer Care Team.

2. Additional Services (VAS)
   For questions regarding services such as insurance, hotel bookings, priority lounge, pricing, or any general inquiries, please contact our Customer Care Team.

3. Information Related to Data Protection and Privacy Practices
   For questions regarding data protection, privacy practices, or related matters, please use our Algeria VFS SAR Form or contact our Data Protection Officer at dpo@algeriavfs.com.