Guidance: Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups privacy notice

This privacy notice sets out how the Department for Business and Trade processes personal data collected as part of the VFRS4SU scheme. Our commitment is to handle your information responsibly, transparently, and in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

Scope and Purpose
– The notice applies to all personal data obtained in connection with the VFRS4SU scheme. It explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, who we share it with, and the safeguards in place to protect your data.
– The VFRS4SU scheme involves activities that require the careful handling of personal data to deliver services, assessments, approvals, and related support. We gather data to administer the scheme effectively, monitor outcomes, and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

What Personal Data We Collect
– Identity data: name, date of birth, contact details, and official identifiers.
– Contact and communication data: email, phone numbers, correspondence records.
– Eligibility and status data: information related to eligibility for the scheme, participation status, and progression.
– Administrative data: reference numbers, application dates, documentation submitted, and notes from interactions.
– If applicable, financial and transactional data relevant to the administration of the scheme.

How We Use Your Personal Data
– To administer and manage participation in the VFRS4SU scheme, including processing applications, assessments, and decisions.
– To communicate with participants and stakeholders about scheme requirements, updates, and outcomes.
– To ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and policy obligations, as well as to monitor and audit scheme activities.
– To prevent fraud, abuse, and other activities that could harm the integrity of the scheme.
– To analyse and report on scheme performance, trends, and impact while safeguarding individual privacy.

Legal Basis for Processing
– We rely on appropriate legal bases to process personal data, including performance of a contract or scheme-related duties, compliance with legal obligations, and our legitimate interests in operating and improving the scheme. Where required, we will obtain consent for specific processing activities and provide clear opt-out options.

Recipients and International Transfers
– Personal data may be shared with other government departments, agencies, and external service providers involved in administering the VFRS4SU scheme. All recipients are selected in line with data protection requirements and contractual safeguards.
– Where transfers to non-UK or international organisations are necessary, we implement appropriate safeguards to protect your data, in line with data protection law and government policy.

Data Retention and Deletion
– We retain personal data for as long as necessary to administer the VFRS4SU scheme, fulfil legal obligations, and support potential audits or investigations. Retention periods are defined in our data retention schedules and are subject to regular review.
– When data is no longer required, we will securely delete or anonymise it in accordance with our procedures.

Security Measures
– We implement appropriate technical and organisational safeguards to protect personal data against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or loss. This includes access controls, encryption, regular security testing, and staff training on data protection.

Individual Rights
– You have rights under data protection law, including access to your personal data, rectification of inaccuracies, erasure in certain circumstances, restriction of processing, objection to processing, and data portability.
– Requests to exercise these rights should be directed to the designated data protection contact provided by the Department. We will respond within statutory timeframes and provide guidance if a request falls outside standard limits.

Data Protection Contact
– For questions, concerns, or to exercise your rights, please contact the Department for Business and Trade’s Data Protection Officer or the designated privacy contact specified in our scheme documentation.
– If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) or the appropriate supervisory authority in your jurisdiction.

Changes to this Privacy Notice
– We may update this privacy notice from time to time to reflect changes in our processing practices, legal requirements, or scheme operations. We will publish any material changes and, where appropriate, notify participants directly.

Practical Guidance for Participants
– Be mindful of the information you provide as part of your participation in the VFRS4SU scheme. Provide accurate and up-to-date data to help us make timely and fair determinations.
– Review any communications from the Department for Business and Trade for notes on processing activities, deadlines, and required documentation.
– If you identify any inaccuracies in your personal data, report them promptly so we can correct them.

Closing Note
– The Department for Business and Trade is dedicated to upholding high standards of data privacy and implement robust governance to protect individuals. This privacy notice outlines our commitment to responsible data handling as part of the VFRS4SU scheme, with transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement at the forefront.

July 3, 2026 at 11:03AM
指南：规模企业签证费用报销计划隐私声明
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-fees-reimbursement-scheme-for-scale-ups-privacy-notice
本隐私声明阐述商务与贸易部如何处理作为 VFRS4SU 计划一部分收集的个人数据。

阅读更多中文内容： VFRS4SU 个人数据处理隐私告知：部门商务与贸易的合规框架