Last updated 17TH June, 2026

This Privacy Notice applies to BLS International Services Limited and its affiliated entities, visa application centres, websites, mobile applications, and service platforms (collectively, "BLS", "we", "our", or "us").

This Privacy Notice explains how and why we collect, use, store, disclose, transfer, and otherwise process your personal information when you access or use our websites, mobile applications, appointment booking platforms, visa and consular service portals, customer support channels, or any other services that link to this Privacy Notice (collectively, the "Services").

By accessing or using our Services, submitting an application, booking an appointment, or otherwise providing your personal information, you acknowledge that your information may be processed in accordance with this Privacy Notice and applicable service terms.

BLS is committed to protecting your privacy and processing personal information in compliance with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Italian Privacy Code, the UAE Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), and other applicable legal requirements.

For visa and consular processing activities, BLS generally acts as a data processor on behalf of the relevant Embassy, Consulate, or Government Authority acting as the data controller. In certain circumstances, BLS may act as an independent data controller for specific services and business operations.

Questions or concerns?

Reading this Privacy Notice will help you understand your privacy rights, choices and how we handle your personal information. If you still have any questions related to this Privacy Notice or data protection concerns, please contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO) available at dpo@blsinternational.com.

For questions related to your visa application/status related matters, or our additional services, please reach out to us at:

Email Address	info.abudhabi@blshelpline.com
Telephone Number	+971 04 494 7333
Address	Nation Towers Mall, 1st Floor; # F24; 1ST Street, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi

1. WHO ARE WE?

BLS is a trusted partner of the Embassy of Italy in UAE and in our capacity as an outsourced service provider, we assist the Embassy of Italy in UAE to manage administrative tasks related to the processing of visa applications.

• Embassy of Italy in UAE is the Data Controller for the processing of personal data you provide for your visa applications. To know more about how they process your personal data, please refer to the below links: https://blsitalyvisa.com/abudhabi/
• BLS acts as a Data Processor while providing visa outsourcing services on behalf of the Embassy of Italy in UAE. Decisions regarding granting or rejecting visa applications solely rest with the Embassy of Italy in UAE.
• In addition to offering above-mentioned services, BLS International provides a range of supplementary services known as Value Added Services (VAS)/additional services at the applicant’s request, such as courier delivery of documents, SMS etc.,
• Where we offer Additional Services, we processes the personal data provided for the purpose of delivering these services under a direct contract between customer (you) and BLS. Accordingly, BLS International acts as the Data Controller in relation to such Value Added Services

2. SCOPE

This Privacy Notice applies to all personal information that we collect from you, whether online or offline.

3. PURPOSE

We may collect and process your personal information for the following purposes:

• To receive, verify, process, and transmit your visa/consular/attestation applications to the relevant Embassy or Diplomatic Mission.
• To provide additional/optional services requested by you, including but not limited to courier, SMS alerts, and other value-added services
• To provide customer support and respond to your queries, requests, or complaints
• To communicate application status updates, notifications, and service-related information
• To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and lawful requests from authorities
• To ensure security, prevent fraud, and maintain the integrity of our systems and services
• To establish, exercise, or defend legal claims and manage dispute resolution

Personal data is processed strictly for the above purposes and limited to what is necessary, in accordance with applicable data protection laws and the principles of data minimisation and purpose limitation.

4. WHAT INFORMATION WE COLLECT?

When providing visa services on behalf of Embassies/Diplomatic Missions:

Depending on the country for which you want to apply for a visa, personal data required from you may vary. This is determined by the diplomatic missions for which you are submitting your visa application.

The specific personal data and documentation required from applicants varies depending on the visa being applied for. Full details for each visa type are available on BLS International’s “https://blsitalyvisa.com/abudhabi/” where you can review the requirements for your chosen application.

While providing visa outsourcing services on behalf of Embassy of Italy in UAE, we may collect your personal data including your biometric data, if required and mandated by the diplomatic mission in order to process your visa application.

When providing Value Added Services (VAS)

When you avail any of our value added services, such as courier services, SMS etc. BLS International acts as a Data Controller and may collect personal data to provide you with the chosen services. Such personal data may include the following:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• E mail Address
• Applicant address details
• Telephone Number/Mobile Number
• Application reference number
• Visa Details
• Travel Itineraries
• Financial Details

Special Category of Personal Information. When necessary, with your consent or as otherwise permitted by applicable law, we process the following special categories of sensitive information:

• Biometrics Data (Fingerprint and Photograph)

5. HOW DO WE COLLECT YOUR INFORMATION?

We may collect your personal information when you interact with us in the following ways:

• Website/Appointments: Name, Surname, Date of Birth, email, mobile number, passport number, Full Address.
• Call centers: Name, contact, passport info
• Visa Application Centers: Physical documents as required
• Additional Services: Service-specific personal information, such as for courier.
• Social Media Queries: Passport/reference information
• Appointment cancellation or feedback: Personal information including application references number
• Automatic collection: IP address for security and fraud prevention.

6. WHAT LEGAL BASES DO WE RELY ON TO PROCESS YOUR INFORMATION?

We process your personal data only where we have a valid legal basis under the applicable privacy laws. Depending on the circumstances, we may process your personal data based on your consent, the performance of a contract, compliance with a legal obligation, the protection of vital interests, the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority, or for legitimate interests.

1. Consent: We may process your personal information if you have given us permission (i.e., consent) to use your personal information for a specific purpose. You can withdraw your consent at any time by sending a mail at dpo@blsinternational.com.
   In case there is a change in our purpose or means of processing or in the category of personal information, we shall obtain a new consent.
   When you choose to opt for Additional Services, we process your personal data based on your consent for the specific service requested by you.
2. Contractual Obligations: We may process your information where we believe it is necessary to enter into a contract with you or performing our obligations under it.
3. Legal Obligations: We may process your information where we believe it is necessary for compliance with our legal obligations, such as to cooperate with a law enforcement body or regulatory agency, exercise or defend our legal rights, or disclose your information as evidence in litigation in which we are involved.
4. Vital Interests. We may process your personal information where we believe it is necessary to protect your vital interests or the vital interests of a third party, such as situations involving potential threats to the safety of any person.
5. Legitimate interests: We may process your personal information where we believe it is necessary to execute our services, and to provide customer support
6. Public Interest and Exercise of Official Authority – Processing is necessary for the performance of tasks carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority relating to visa and consular functions under applicable laws

7. WHEN AND WITH WHOM DO WE SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

We may share your data only where necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Notice and in accordance with applicable law:

1. Embassy of Italy in UAE when you submit your visa application.
2. Those service providers that enable us to provide the services such as courier, text messages etc.
3. When required by law or government authority such as, requests from government agencies, including law enforcement and other public authorities, which may include such authorities outside your country of residence.

We only share or disclose your personal information with these entities if it is necessary to provide the services you have requested or to comply with a legal obligation. We take all reasonable steps to ensure that your personal data is protected when it is shared or disclosed.

8. HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR INFORMATION?

Personal data related to visa and consular services is processed and retained in accordance with the instructions of the embassy of Italy and applicable legal and contractual requirements. BLS retain such data only for the durations necessary to facilitate applications processing, passport return, operational reconciliation, and related support functions. In Certain cases, personal data may be retained for a longer period where required for grievance handling, fraud prevention, audit, or the establishment, exercise, or defence of legal claims. Upon expiry of the retention period. Personal data is securely deleted or anonymised in accordance with internal policies and applicable Law.

9. HOW DO WE KEEP YOUR INFORMATION SAFE?

We implement reasonable security safeguards to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, loss, or misuse. These measures include technical, organisational, and physical safeguards such as access controls, encryption, network security mechanisms, and monitoring systems.

While we take reasonable steps to protect your personal data, no system can be completely secure. In the event of a personal data breach, we will take appropriate action in accordance with applicable law.

10. DO WE COLLECT INFORMATION FROM MINORS?

We do not knowingly collect personal information from or market our Services to minors. By using the Services, you represent that you are at least the age of majority in your jurisdiction or that you are the parent or legal guardian of a minor and consent to such minor's use of the Services.

Where we process the personal information of minors, we do so in accordance with applicable laws and, where required, with the authorization or consent of a parent or legal guardian. We do not use minors' personal information for behavioural tracking, profiling, or targeted advertising purposes.

11. IS YOUR INFORMATION TRANSFERRED INTERNATIONALLY?

As part of the visa and consular services provided, your personal data may be transferred to the embassy of Italy and other relevant entities located outside Italy, where necessary for processing your application. i.e. outside your country of residence including the country of foreign diplomatic mission for which you have applied for Visa, internally within BLS and to one of our Data centers.

When we transfer your personal information to countries outside of your home country, we will take steps to ensure that your personal information is protected in accordance with this Policy.

12. THIRD PARTY SITES/ LINKED SITES

The Website may contain links to other websites or resources over which BLS does not have any control. Such links do not constitute an endorsement by BLS of those external websites. You acknowledge that BLS is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and further agree that BLS is not responsible for the content of such external websites. We are not responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide while visiting such external websites and such sites are not governed by BLS Policy. Your use of any external website is subject to the terms of use and Privacy Notice located on those external websites.

13. DO WE USE COOKIES?

Our website may use different types of cookies to enhance your experience. Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer by websites that you visit. For more information on our use of cookies, please refer to our Cookie Policy.

14. WHAT ARE YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS?

Under the UAE PDPL, GDPR, Italy Privacy Laws and other applicable laws you have the rights in relation to the processing of your personal data the rights are as follows:

• Right to be Informed – You have a right to receive information about how and why your personal information is processed.
• Right to opt out – You have a right to opt out of the processing of their personal data, if the processing:
  • is for direct marketing purposes, including profiling related to direct marketing;
  • is for statistical survey purposes,
• Right of Access – You have a right to request access to the personal information we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification – You have a right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
• Right to Erasure – You have a right to request deletion of your personal information where permitted by law.
• Right to Restrict Processing – You have a right to request that we limit the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
• Right to Data Portability – You have a right to receive your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format and, where technically feasible, have it transferred to another controller.
• Right to Object – You have a right to object to certain processing activities, including direct marketing and processing based on legitimate interests, where applicable.
• Right to Withdraw Consent – You have a right to where processing is based on your consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out before such withdrawal.
• Right Not to Be Subject to Automated Decision-Making – You have a right to request human intervention and challenge decisions based solely on automated processing, including profiling, where such decisions produce legal or similarly significant effects.
• Right to Lodge a Complaint – You have a right to lodge a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority, data protection regulator, or competent authority if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

15. HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS?

If you wish to make a request to exercise your privacy rights with BLS in respect to the additional services provided to you, please email us at dpo@blsinternational.com.

If you make a request, we will respond in a timely manner. If your request is rejected, we will provide you with reasons for such rejection.

To exercise your Data Subject Rights related to processing of your visa application, you must contact the Responsible Party at the diplomatic mission of the country you applied to. Their contact details are provided in the Privacy Notice on the website of the Controller.

16. CHANGES TO THE NOTICE

Our Privacy Notice may be updated from time to time to reflect any regulatory amendments or changes in our services and operations. You may also check latest amendments by visiting our website. The date of the most recent revisions will appear on the top of the page.