Last updated: 18 October 2026
This Privacy Policy explains what information Sifqa collects when you visit sifqa.com, why we collect it, who we share it with and the choices you have. We have written it in plain English. If anything is unclear, email us at ionicwaleed@gmail.com.
On this page
- Who we are
- The short version
- Information we collect
- How we use information
- Cookies and similar technologies
- Google AdSense and advertising
- Analytics
- Who we share information with
- International transfers
- How long we keep information
- Your rights
- Security
- Children
- Links to other websites
- Changes to this policy
- Contact us
Who we are
Sifqa (“Sifqa”, “we”, “us”) is an independent information website that publishes visa, travel and residency guidance for people living in the United Arab Emirates. Sifqa is run by Asad Waleed M, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Sifqa is not a government website, a visa agency or an immigration consultant. We do not process visa applications, and we never ask you to send us passports, Emirates IDs, bank statements or other identity documents. If anyone contacts you claiming to represent Sifqa and asks for documents or payment, it is not us.
For any privacy question, contact: ionicwaleed@gmail.com.
The short version
- You can read every page on Sifqa without creating an account or giving us your name.
- We use cookies for analytics and advertising. Google AdSense shows ads on Sifqa and may use cookies to personalise them.
- If you email us or use a contact form, we use your details only to reply.
- We do not sell your personal information.
- You can control cookies in your browser and through Google’s ad settings.
Information we collect
Information you give us
- Contact messages: if you email us or use a contact form, we receive your name (if given), email address and your message. Please do not send passport numbers, Emirates ID numbers, bank details or other sensitive documents — we do not need them to answer a general question.
- Error reports and feedback: if you report a mistake in a guide, we keep your message so we can correct and log the change.
Information collected automatically
When you visit Sifqa, our hosting, security, analytics and advertising services may automatically collect:
- Your IP address and approximate location (country or city)
- Browser type, device type and operating system
- Pages you visit, how long you stay and which link brought you to Sifqa
- Date and time of your visit
- Cookie identifiers and similar technologies
This information is used in aggregate to understand which guides are useful, keep the site secure and show ads.
Information we do not collect
We do not ask for or knowingly collect passport details, Emirates ID numbers, visa application data, payment card numbers, health information or information about children.
How we use information
| Purpose | Information used | Legal basis (where GDPR/UK GDPR applies) |
|---|---|---|
| Show the website and keep it working | Technical and device data | Legitimate interests |
| Keep the site secure and prevent abuse | IP address, request logs | Legitimate interests |
| Understand which content is useful | Analytics data | Consent (where required) or legitimate interests |
| Show advertising that funds the site | Cookie and device data | Consent (where required) |
| Reply to your messages and fix reported errors | Your name, email and message | Legitimate interests |
| Meet legal obligations | Any relevant data | Legal obligation |
Cookies and similar technologies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device. Sifqa uses:
| Type | What it does | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Makes the site work and load quickly | WordPress and caching cookies |
| Analytics | Counts visits and shows how pages are used | Google Analytics (via Google Site Kit), Jetpack Stats |
| Advertising | Shows ads, limits repetition, measures performance and may personalise ads | Google AdSense and its partners |
| Preferences | Remembers choices such as cookie consent | Consent management cookies |
You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Blocking some cookies may affect how the site works.
Google AdSense and advertising
Sifqa uses Google AdSense to show advertisements. Advertising helps keep Sifqa’s guides free.
- Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to Sifqa and other websites.
- Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visits to Sifqa and/or other sites on the Internet.
- You may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. You can also opt out of some third-party vendors’ use of cookies for personalised advertising at www.aboutads.info.
- Learn how Google uses information from sites that use its services: How Google uses information from sites or apps that use our services.
Ads are not endorsements. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. An ad for a visa agent, consultant or service on Sifqa does not mean we recommend them. Always use official government portals for applications.
Visitors from the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland are asked for consent before personalised advertising cookies are used, through a consent message shown when you first visit.
Analytics
We use Google Analytics (through Google Site Kit) and Jetpack Stats to understand how visitors use Sifqa — for example, which guides are read most and which pages need improving. These tools receive device and usage data. We do not use analytics to identify you personally. You can opt out of Google Analytics with the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.
Who we share information with
We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share information only with service providers that help run Sifqa:
| Provider | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hostinger | Website hosting |
| Google (AdSense, Analytics, Site Kit, Search Console) | Advertising, analytics and search performance |
| Automattic (Jetpack) | Site statistics, security and performance |
| LiteSpeed | Page caching and speed |
| Contact form and email providers | Receiving and replying to messages |
We may also disclose information if required by law, or to protect the rights, safety and security of Sifqa, its readers or others.
International transfers
Our service providers may process data outside the UAE, including in the United States and the European Union. Where required, these transfers are made under the providers’ own safeguards, such as standard contractual clauses.
How long we keep information
- Contact messages: kept for up to 24 months, then deleted, unless needed for an ongoing correction or legal reason.
- Analytics data: kept according to the retention settings of the analytics provider.
- Server and security logs: kept by our host for a limited period for security purposes.
Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:
- Ask what personal information we hold about you
- Ask us to correct inaccurate information
- Ask us to delete your information
- Object to or restrict certain processing
- Withdraw consent at any time (for example, to advertising cookies)
- Receive a copy of your data in a portable format
- Complain to a data protection authority
UAE residents: the UAE Personal Data Protection Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021) gives you rights over your personal data, including access, correction and deletion.
EU, EEA and UK visitors: you have rights under the GDPR and UK GDPR, and you can complain to your local data protection authority.
California residents: we do not sell personal information as defined by the CCPA/CPRA. You may ask us what information we hold and request deletion.
To use any of these rights, email ionicwaleed@gmail.com. We will reply within 30 days.
Security
Sifqa uses HTTPS encryption, a reputable host, security plugins and regular backups. No website can be 100% secure, so please do not send sensitive documents to us by email.
Children
Sifqa is written for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe a child has sent us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
Links to other websites
Our guides link to government portals, embassies, visa centres and other websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Read their privacy policies before submitting any information, especially on visa application sites.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when our services or the law change. The date at the top shows the latest version. Significant changes will be noted on this page.
Contact us
Sifqa
Operated by Asad Waleed M
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Email: ionicwaleed@gmail.com
See also our editorial policy.