BelCham J-1 VISA Intern and Trainee Program Data Protection and Privacy Policy
The BelCham online service is committed to protecting the privacy of our users. We want to provide a safe and secure user experience in compliance with applicable laws and regulations – including but not limited to the EU General Data Protection Regulation GDPR. We will ensure that the information you submit via email or to our website at https://www.belcham.org/new-j-1-internship-traineeship/ will only be used for J-1 related policies, applications or activities.
What information we collect and how we use it
Through the program application process, we collect the following data: personal details, proof of medical insurance, proof of language proficiency, financial security statement and proof of funds, at least 10 passport pages, curriculum vitae or resume, proof of enrollment or post-secondary education degree, at least two letters of reference, proof of prior participation on a J-1 visa program if applicable. This information will be stored and used by us for the following purposes:
- Compiling your personal information into a comprehensive application for review by BelCham and to submit to the relevant U.S. authorities,
- Contacting you during your program regarding your experience, health and/or safety issues,
- Contacting you during your program regarding cultural events.
Legal Basis
As the process might include sensitive data, the collection, storage and usage of your information is based on your explicit consent given during the application process pursuant to Article 6 (1) a) GDPR. Where no sensitive data is concerned, it is based on its necessity for the fulfillment of the BelCham J-1 Visa application, Article 6 (1) b) GDPR.
Disclosures of your information
Your information will be shared with all relevant U.S. authorities. These may include but are not limited to: Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, USCIS, Social Security Administration, Department of Labor, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Motor Vehicles/Registry of Motor Vehicles. We may release your information to regulatory or law enforcement authorities, if we are required to do so.
Storage period
Your data will be stored for at least seven years after the program completion as required by U.S. law. After this, we may store and use these documents for statistical purposes and for alumni outreach.
Objecting to data processing
You may object to the processing of your data and request a full deletion at any time by contacting us via e-mail. Please note that we will not be able to provide any further visa application services to you without your data.
Your rights as a data subject
You have the following rights according to the EU General Data Protection Regulation: If your personal data is processed, you have to right to obtain information regarding the storage of your personal data (Article 15 GDPR). If incorrect personal data is processed, you have the right to correction of such (Article 16 GDPR). If legal requirements are given, you have the right to request the deletion or limitation of processing, and you have the right to object to such processing (Articles 17, 18 and 21 GDPR). If you have given your consent to data processing or if a contract exists pertaining to data processing and if such data processing is carried out via automated processes, you have a right to data portability where applicable (Article 20 GDPR). Should you exercise your above-mentioned rights, BelCham will review whether statutory requirements are met.
Changes to our Privacy Policy
The privacy policy may be changed by BelCham at any time. If we change our privacy policy in the future, we will disclose those changes here and, if practicable, via email. If, at any time, you have questions or concerns about BelCham’s online privacy policy, please feel free to email us at privacy@belcham.org.