Terms of Service & Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 8, 2026

Please read these documents carefully before engaging our services. By accessing or using our services, you confirm your acceptance of these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

Part I — Terms of Service

1. About Lakbyte

Lakbyte (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is an immigration consultancy specializing in Spanish immigration processes. We assist individuals and families in preparing, organizing, and navigating their immigration journeys — primarily serving Filipino, UAE-based, US-based, and Canadian applicants.

Our services include but are not limited to:

1. Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
2. Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)
3. Family applications and reunification
4. TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) and NIE assistance
5. Driver’s license exchange assistance
6. Autónomo registration advisory and post-arrival support
7. Immigration-related consultations
8. Educational content, webinars, templates, and community support

Lakbyte is not a government authority and is not affiliated with the Spanish government, UGE, DGT, Policía Nacional, Extranjería, or any consulate unless expressly stated.

2. No Guarantee of Approval

Lakbyte does not guarantee:

1. Visa or residence authorization approval
2. Driver’s license exchange approval
3. Processing timelines or appointment availability
4. Administrative silence outcomes
5. Tax outcomes or citizenship eligibility
6. Any specific legal or immigration result

All decisions are made solely by the relevant government authorities, including the UGE, Spanish consulates, Extranjería, DGT, Policía Nacional, and relevant ministries. Government requirements, interpretations, and internal policies may change without notice.

3. Scope of Services

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Lakbyte services may include:

1. Document review and checklist preparation
2. Guidance regarding required documents
3. Drafting of supporting letters, forms, and templates
4. Financial tracing and cover letter preparation
5. Administrative submission assistance
6. Coordination with translators or third parties
7. Appointment booking assistance
8. Email or WhatsApp support
9. Province settlement guidance and relocation orientation

Lakbyte does not generally:

1. Represent clients in litigation or before courts
2. Guarantee appointment slots or availability of public services
3. Prepare tax filings unless separately contracted
4. Provide financial, investment, or accounting advice

The specific scope for each client is defined in a separate engagement letter or service agreement signed at onboarding.

4. Client Responsibilities

By engaging Lakbyte, you agree that you are solely responsible for:

1. Providing truthful, complete, and accurate information and documentation
2. Reviewing all forms and submissions before signing or submitting
3. Maintaining valid travel documents
4. Monitoring your own immigration deadlines
5. Responding promptly to requests from Lakbyte, typically within 3 business days
6. Attending appointments in person where legally required
7. Notifying us promptly of changes to your circumstances, employment status, or documentation

Lakbyte may rely on information provided by the client without independently verifying its authenticity. Providing fraudulent or misleading documentation may result in immediate termination of services without refund and may expose the client to legal liability.

5. Processing Times

Any timelines provided by Lakbyte are estimates only. Government processing times vary significantly depending on workload, jurisdiction, consular processing, additional document requests, and internal government delays. Lakbyte is not liable for delays caused by government authorities or third parties.

6. Payments and Refunds

6.1 Consultations

Consultation fees are non-refundable once the consultation has taken place. Missed consultations or late arrivals may be considered forfeited.

6.2 Service Fees

Unless otherwise stated in writing:

1. Fees are quoted in EUR or PHP as specified in your agreement
2. Initial payments are non-refundable once work has commenced
3. Full or partial refunds are not guaranteed after onboarding materials, templates, or guidance have been provided
4. Government fees, translation fees, courier fees, apostille fees, and third-party expenses are generally non-refundable
5. No refund will be issued solely on the basis of a visa rejection, as outcomes are determined by government authorities

6.3 Urgent Processing Fees

Lakbyte may charge expedited or urgency surcharges for applications submitted close to intended filing dates. These are non-refundable once processing has commenced.

6.4 Refund Requests

All refund requests must be submitted in writing to info@lakbyte.com. Lakbyte will review requests at its discretion and respond within 15 business days.

7. Third-Party Services

Lakbyte may coordinate with third parties in the course of delivering services, including:

1. Sworn translators and apostille providers
2. Tax lawyers and tax advisory firms
3. Insurance providers
4. Relocation agents and housing consultants
5. Banks and financial institutions, including for account opening support
6. Medical centers and health professionals
7. Government booking systems and appointment platforms
8. Courier services and payment processors

Lakbyte is not responsible for errors, delays, pricing, or actions of third-party providers. Any engagement with a third party is subject to that party’s own terms and conditions.

8. Educational Content Disclaimer

Content published by Lakbyte — including webinars, videos, social media posts, WhatsApp messages, blog posts, and downloadable resources — is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute individualized legal advice unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing. Immigration outcomes are highly fact-specific and circumstances vary by individual.

9. Communications

By contacting Lakbyte or submitting forms, you consent to receive communications via email, WhatsApp, phone, SMS, client portals, and social media messaging platforms. You are responsible for ensuring your contact information remains accurate and up to date.

10. Intellectual Property

All Lakbyte content, branding, templates, educational materials, graphics, videos, and internal processes are the exclusive intellectual property of Lakbyte. Clients may use materials solely for their personal immigration application. Reproduction, redistribution, reselling, or commercial exploitation of Lakbyte materials without prior written consent is strictly prohibited.

11. Community Rules

Participation in Lakbyte WhatsApp groups, webinars, or online communities must remain respectful and lawful. Lakbyte reserves the right to remove participants without notice for:

1. Harassment or abusive behavior toward staff or community members
2. Spam or unsolicited solicitation
3. Sharing misleading or inaccurate immigration information
4. Any conduct that violates applicable laws

12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Lakbyte shall not be liable for:

1. Indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
2. Lost income, travel disruptions, or missed appointments
3. Government refusals, delays, or policy changes
4. Losses caused by third-party providers
5. Technical outages or service interruptions

Total liability shall not exceed the amount paid by the client for the specific service giving rise to the claim within the 12 months preceding the incident.

13. Termination of Services

Lakbyte reserves the right to suspend or terminate services if:

1. A client becomes abusive or disrespectful toward staff
2. Fraudulent documentation is suspected
3. Payment obligations are not met
4. Cooperation is materially lacking
5. The engagement presents legal or ethical concerns

Upon termination, the client remains obligated to pay for work completed up to the termination date. Client-provided original documents will be returned upon request.

14. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms of Service are primarily governed by the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, including applicable consumer protection and data privacy legislation. To the extent that a dispute involves Spanish administrative or immigration proceedings, the laws and competent courts of the Kingdom of Spain shall apply to those specific matters.

Disputes shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved within 30 days, disputes shall be submitted to mediation under Philippine law. Failing mediation, disputes shall be resolved by the competent courts of the Philippines, unless the nature of the claim requires adjudication under Spanish jurisdiction.

15. Changes to These Terms

Lakbyte may update these Terms periodically. Clients will be notified of material changes via email. Continued use of services after notification constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

16. Contact

For questions regarding these Terms, contact:

Part II — Privacy Policy

Lakbyte is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of our clients. This Privacy Policy is designed to comply with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) of the Philippines (primary) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as applicable in Spain (secondary).

1. Who We Are

Lakbyte provides immigration-related administrative and consultancy services. For privacy-related concerns, please contact us at info@lakbyte.com.

2. Information We Collect

In providing our services, we collect and process the following categories of personal data:

2.1 Identity and Contact Information

1. Full name, date of birth, nationality, and civil status
2. Passport details and government-issued identification numbers
3. Email address, phone number, and mailing address

2.2 Immigration and Financial Information

1. Visa history, employment details, and travel records
2. Bank statements and transaction records for financial tracing
3. Payslips, contracts, proof of income, and tax-related documents
4. Police clearance certificates and background check results
5. Educational and professional credentials
6. Family documents, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.

2.3 Technical Information

1. IP address and browser/device information
2. Website analytics and usage data
3. Cookies and tracking technologies

2.4 Communications

1. Emails, WhatsApp conversations, and consultation notes
2. Webinar registrations and form submissions

3. How We Use Your Data

We process your personal data to:

1. Provide requested immigration consultancy services
2. Prepare and review immigration application documents
3. Communicate with clients and relevant authorities
4. Coordinate with translators, sworn professionals, or third parties
5. Schedule and manage TIE appointments and post-arrival processes
6. Process payments and maintain accurate billing records
7. Improve our services and internal processes
8. Send service-related updates, reminders, and status notifications
9. Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
10. Prevent fraud and abuse

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data on the following legal bases:

1. Contractual necessity — to fulfill our obligations under your service agreement
2. Legal obligation — to comply with immigration regulations and reporting requirements
3. Legitimate interest — to maintain accurate records, improve services, and communicate with clients
4. Consent — where you have provided explicit consent, such as for marketing communications, which may be withdrawn at any time

5. Sharing of Data

Lakbyte does not sell, rent, or trade your personal data. We may share your information with the following categories of recipients:

5.1 Spanish Immigration and Government Authorities

1. Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE)
2. Extranjería (Oficinas de Extranjería)
3. Spanish consulates and embassies abroad
4. Policía Nacional for TIE, NIE, and citizenship oath processing
5. Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) — for driver’s license matters
6. Registro Civil — for nationality applications and civil registration
7. Ministerio del Interior
8. Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones
9. Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación

5.2 Professional and Service Third Parties

1. Sworn translators and apostille providers
2. Tax lawyers and tax advisory firms
3. Insurance providers
4. Relocation agents and housing consultants
5. Banks and financial institutions
6. Legal or accounting advisors, where necessary and with your knowledge
7. Appointment booking systems and technology providers
8. Payment processors under strict confidentiality obligations

Any sharing is limited to what is strictly necessary and governed by data processing agreements where required by law.

6. International Transfers

Your information may be processed in the Philippines, Spain, or other countries where our service providers are located. Where data is transferred outside these jurisdictions, Lakbyte implements appropriate safeguards, including Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or equivalent mechanisms as required by applicable law.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as reasonably necessary:

1. Client immigration files — minimum 5 years from completion of services
2. Financial records — 7 years in accordance with applicable tax and accounting regulations
3. Communications — 3 years from the date of last interaction

After the applicable retention period, data is securely deleted or anonymized. Retention may be extended where required for legal compliance, defense of claims, or active proceedings.

8. Security Measures

Lakbyte implements appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data, including:

1. Restricted access to client files on a need-to-know basis
2. Secure document sharing via Pipefile, our dedicated encrypted document platform, to ensure sensitive files are transmitted and stored safely
3. Password-protected systems and file storage
4. Regular review of data handling practices

While we take all reasonable precautions, no method of online transmission or storage is completely secure. Clients are encouraged to use the secure channels provided by Lakbyte when sharing sensitive documents.

9. Cookies

Our website (www.lakbyte.com) may use cookies and analytics technologies to improve user experience and understand how visitors interact with our content. You may adjust browser settings to refuse cookies, though some features may not function properly. We do not use cookies to collect personally identifiable information without your consent.

10. Your Rights

10.1 Under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Philippines, RA 10173) — Primary

You have the right to:

1. Be informed of how your data is collected and processed
2. Access your personal data held by Lakbyte
3. Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
4. Object to processing of your personal data
5. Request erasure or blocking of data where no longer necessary
6. Request data portability
7. Lodge a complaint with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) at www.privacy.gov.ph
8. Damages where applicable under the Act

10.2 Under GDPR (Spain / EU) — Secondary

Where GDPR applies, you additionally have the right to:

1. Restrict processing in certain circumstances
2. Withdraw consent at any time without affecting prior lawful processing
3. Lodge a complaint with the Agencia Española de Protección de Datos (AEPD) at www.aepd.es

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@lakbyte.com. We will respond within 30 days of receiving your request.

11. Third-Party Platforms

Lakbyte may use third-party platforms including Calendly, Google Workspace, WhatsApp, Pipefile, payment processors, CRM systems, and webinar platforms. Use of those platforms is also governed by their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party service you interact with through our processes.

12. Children’s Data

Lakbyte may process information relating to minors where necessary for immigration applications involving dependents, including family reunification applications. Such information is processed only for legitimate service purposes and with the knowledge of the parent or legal guardian. We do not knowingly collect data from minors for any other purpose.

13. Marketing Communications

You may receive marketing or educational communications from Lakbyte, including webinar invitations and immigration updates. You may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link in our emails or by contacting us directly at info@lakbyte.com. Withdrawal of marketing consent does not affect service-related communications.

14. Changes to This Policy

Lakbyte may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The updated version will be posted on the website with a revised effective date. Active clients will be notified of material changes via email.

15. Contact and Privacy Requests

For privacy requests, questions, or concerns:

Acknowledged and issued on behalf of Lakbyte:

Lakbyte

Effective: May 8, 2026

Lakbyte | www.lakbyte.com | info@lakbyte.com