Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions of Service ("Terms") govern the relationship between Elaris Consult (“we”, “our”, or “the Company”) and any individual, organisation, or corporate entity (“the Client”) that accesses our website, engages our services, or otherwise interacts with Elaris Consult. By using our website or engaging our services, the Client agrees to be legally bound by these Terms in full. These Terms should be read carefully in their entirety. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must not use our website or engage our services.

1.⁠ ⁠Company Overview

Elaris Consult is a private immigration and relocation consultancy registered under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We provide professional advisory, case management, and relocation support services to individuals and organisations seeking to relocate to the Federal Republic of Germany. We are not a recruitment agency, a government authority, a law firm, or a visa-issuing body. Our services include, but are not limited to: • Eligibility assessment for German visa and immigration routes • Preparation and review of visa and permit application documentation • Advisory on German immigration law, visa categories, and residency pathways • Corporate relocation planning and employee case management • Post-arrival settlement support and orientation

Elaris Consult operates as an advisory and case management service only. We do not represent clients in legal proceedings and do not provide legal representation.

2.⁠ ⁠Scope of Services

The specific services provided to each Client shall be set out in a separate Service Agreement, Engagement Letter, or Proposal document (“Service Agreement”) agreed between Elaris Consult and the Client. These Terms shall apply to all such services and shall form part of, and be read together with, any Service Agreement. Where any conflict exists between these Terms and a specific Service Agreement, the terms of the Service Agreement shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. We reserve the right to decline, modify, or terminate any engagement at our discretion, including where we determine that a matter falls outside our area of expertise or where circumstances render the continuation of the engagement impractical or unethical.

3.⁠ ⁠Visa and Immigration Decisions

All decisions regarding the grant, refusal, deferral, or cancellation of a visa or residence permit are made solely and exclusively by the relevant Embassy, Consulate, or government authority of the Federal Republic of Germany. Elaris Consult has no authority, influence, or involvement in any such decision. By engaging our services, the Client expressly acknowledges and agrees that: • Elaris Consult does not guarantee, warrant, or represent that any visa or immigration application will be successful. • The grant or refusal of any visa or immigration permission is at the sole discretion of the relevant government authority. • Elaris Consult is not responsible or liable in any manner whatsoever for any delay in processing, refusal, revocation, or other outcome of any visa or immigration application. • Visa processing timelines are determined entirely by government authorities and are subject to change without notice. Elaris Consult shall not be held liable for delays arising therefrom. • Any representations made by Elaris Consult regarding likely outcomes or processing times are estimates only and do not constitute a guarantee.

4.⁠ ⁠No Legal Advice

Nothing on our website, in our communications, or in the course of our services constitutes legal advice. The information and guidance provided by Elaris Consult is of a general advisory nature and is not a substitute for formal legal advice from a qualified and registered legal practitioner. Where a Client’s circumstances require formal legal representation or advice — including but not limited to appeals against visa refusals, judicial review, asylum proceedings, or complex immigration litigation — we will advise the Client accordingly and recommend that they engage a qualified immigration lawyer.

5.⁠ ⁠Accuracy and Currency of Information

We make every reasonable effort to ensure that the information provided on our website and in our advisory materials is accurate, current, and reliable. However, immigration law, visa policies, and government procedures are subject to frequent change. Elaris Consult does not warrant or guarantee: • The completeness or accuracy of information on our website at any given time. • That information will be updated in real time to reflect regulatory or policy changes. • The applicability of general information to the specific circumstances of any individual Client. Clients are advised to independently verify all information with the relevant government authority or a qualified legal practitioner before making any decision based on information provided by Elaris Consult.

6.⁠ ⁠Client Responsibilities

The Client agrees and undertakes to: • Provide Elaris Consult with complete, accurate, and truthful information and documentation at all times. • Notify Elaris Consult promptly of any change in circumstances that may affect their application or engagement. • Comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Federal Republic of Germany, and any other relevant jurisdiction. • Not misrepresent, falsify, or withhold any information relevant to a visa or immigration application. Elaris Consult shall not be liable for any outcome arising from inaccurate or misleading information provided by the Client. • Ensure that all documents submitted as part of an application are genuine and lawfully obtained. Elaris Consult reserves the right to immediately terminate any engagement where the Client is found to have provided false, fraudulent, or misleading information, without refund of fees paid.

7.⁠ ⁠Confidentiality

Elaris Consult shall treat all personal, financial, and case-related information provided by the Client as strictly confidential. We will not disclose any such information to third parties without the Client’s prior written consent, except: • Where required by applicable law or regulatory authority. • Where necessary to facilitate the delivery of services (e.g. submission of documents to an Embassy, Consulate, or government body on behalf of the Client). • Where required under a valid court order or legal process. This obligation of confidentiality survives the termination or conclusion of any engagement with Elaris Consult.

8.⁠ ⁠Data Protection and Privacy

8.1 Personal Data We Collect

In the course of providing our services, Elaris Consult collects and processes personal data provided by Clients, including but not limited to: full name, date of birth, nationality, passport details, contact information, employment history, educational qualifications, and financial documentation. This data is collected only to the extent necessary to deliver our services.

8.2 Legal Basis for Processing

Where our Clients are data subjects located in the European Economic Area (EEA), or where we process personal data subject to the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we process such data on the following lawful bases: • Performance of a contract — processing is necessary to provide the services the Client has engaged us to deliver. • Legal obligation — processing is necessary to comply with applicable law. • Legitimate interests — processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests, where such interests do not override the rights and freedoms of the data subject. • Consent — where we request consent to process data for a specific purpose, such consent may be withdrawn at any time.

8.3 Use of Personal Data

Personal data collected is used exclusively for the following purposes: • Assessing Client eligibility for German visa and immigration routes. • Preparing, reviewing, and submitting immigration documentation on behalf of the Client. • Communicating with the Client regarding their case. • Complying with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. • Improving our services, where data is used in an anonymised and aggregated form. We will not sell, trade, or transfer personal data to third parties for marketing, commercial, or other unrelated purposes.

8.4 Data Retention We retain personal data only for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by applicable law. Client case files are retained for a minimum period of five (5) years following the conclusion of an engagement, after which data is securely deleted or anonymised.

8.5 Data Security Elaris Consult implements appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include, but are not limited to, encrypted storage and secure file transfer protocols. No method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure; however, we take all reasonable steps to safeguard your data.

8.6 Client Rights Subject to applicable law, Clients have the right to: • Access the personal data we hold about them. • Request the correction of inaccurate or incomplete data. • Request the deletion of their personal data (“right to erasure”), subject to our legal retention obligations. • Object to or restrict the processing of their data. • Request the transfer of their data to another service provider (data portability). • Lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority. Requests relating to personal data should be directed to our designated contact at: [email protected]. We will respond to all legitimate requests within thirty (30) days.

8.7 Third-Party Data Processors Where we engage third-party service providers who process personal data on our behalf (such as cloud storage providers or document management platforms), we ensure such providers are bound by appropriate data processing agreements and maintain adequate security standards consistent with applicable law.

9.⁠ ⁠Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Elaris Consult shall not be liable to the Client or any third party for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive loss or damage arising out of or in connection with: • Any visa or immigration decision made by a government authority. • Any delay in the processing of a visa or immigration application. • Any reliance placed on information provided on our website or in our advisory materials. • Any failure or delay in the delivery of services resulting from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of government, natural disasters, or force majeure events. • Any loss arising from the Client’s provision of inaccurate, incomplete, or fraudulent information. Where liability cannot be fully excluded by law, our aggregate liability to any Client for any claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms or any engagement shall not exceed the total fees paid by that Client in respect of the specific matter giving rise to the claim.

10.⁠ ⁠Intellectual Property

All content on the Elaris Consult website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, templates, guides, and tools, is the intellectual property of Elaris Consult and is protected by applicable copyright and intellectual property laws. No content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without our prior written consent.

11.⁠ ⁠Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them (including non-contractual disputes) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the event of any dispute between the parties, the parties shall first seek to resolve the matter through good-faith negotiation. If the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation within thirty (30) days, either party may refer the matter to mediation. Failing resolution through mediation, the dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

12.⁠ ⁠Amendments to These Terms

Elaris Consult reserves the right to amend, update, or replace these Terms at any time. Any material changes will be communicated to existing Clients via email or notice on our website. The continued use of our services following notification of any changes constitutes the Client’s acceptance of the revised Terms. The most current version of these Terms shall always be published on our website and will indicate the effective date.

13.⁠ ⁠Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with any applicable Service Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between Elaris Consult and the Client with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior representations, agreements, and understandings, whether written or oral. If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

14.⁠ ⁠Acceptance of Terms

By accessing the Elaris Consult website, engaging our services, or signing a Service Agreement, the Client confirms that they have read, understood, and agree to be unconditionally bound by these Terms and Conditions in their entirety. For corporate and organisational Clients, the individual accepting these Terms represents and warrants that they have the authority to bind the organisation to these Terms.

Elaris Consult: [email protected] · www.elarisconsult.com