Referred to us? Your file is still yours alone.
Most of our clients come to ATWORLD IMMIGRATION through referrals from friends, relatives, community members or other clients. We are grateful for that trust. But a referral never gives anyone access to your information.
Some clients worry that the person who brought them to our office can see their file or hear about their case. That is absolutely not true. We do not share any information about you, not even the fact that you are our client, with anyone: not the person who referred you, not a community member, and not your own family members, unless you have given us your consent directly.
We share information with another person only when you give us written consent naming that person and what may be shared. This applies to anyone who is not on your file or is not our client. You can withdraw that consent at any time.
No matter who referred you, your privacy will be protected.
Our duty of confidentiality
As licensed immigration counsel, we owe every client a professional duty to keep confidential all information about their affairs that we learn in the course of our work. That duty:
- applies from the first consultation, even if you do not go on to retain us;
- covers everything we learn, whether from you or from others, and whether written, spoken or electronic;
- continues after your file is closed, and after our professional relationship ends; and
- binds everyone who works with us, including staff, interpreters, translators and contractors, all of whom are held to the same confidentiality obligations.
We never use a client’s confidential information for our own benefit or for anyone else’s, and we do not discuss clients’ matters in public or social settings.
When information can be disclosed
We disclose confidential information only:
- With your consent, express or, where appropriate, implied. For example, sending your application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or filing evidence with the Immigration and Refugee Board is necessary to do the work you hired us for, and you authorize it when you retain us and sign the representative forms. Disclosure to anyone outside your matter, including family members, requires your written consent.
- When required by law, for example by a court order, a summons, or a lawful demand from our professional regulator in the course of its oversight duties. Even then, we disclose no more than is required.
- In the narrow circumstances that professional rules permit, such as to prevent an imminent risk of death or serious bodily harm, or to defend against an allegation about our own conduct. Here too, we disclose only what is necessary.
We do not sell, rent or trade personal information, and we never share it with marketers.
Information we collect
- Identity and contact details: name, date of birth, address, phone, email and WhatsApp number.
- Immigration and personal history: passports, travel, family, education, employment, and past applications or refusals.
- Sensitive information you choose to share for your case, such as experiences of persecution, medical or psychological reports, criminal records and financial documents.
- Communications with you and, on your behalf, with government bodies and tribunals.
- Website information: what you submit through our consultation form.
We collect only what we need to advise and represent you, and we collect it from you directly unless you authorize otherwise.
How we use it
- to assess your situation and give you advice;
- to prepare, file and follow up on applications, appeals and hearings;
- to communicate with you about your matter, in your preferred language;
- to check for conflicts of interest before taking on a file; and
- to meet our legal, regulatory, accounting and record-keeping obligations.
How we protect it
- Paper files are kept in secured storage in our office, and electronic files on access-controlled, password-protected systems.
- Only the people working on your matter can see your file.
- We confirm your identity before discussing your file by phone, email or WhatsApp.
- We use secure methods to send documents, and we ask you not to send full case details through our website form.
- Confidential paper is shredded, and electronic records are securely deleted.
Email, WhatsApp and online communication
Many clients prefer to reach us by email or WhatsApp, and we are happy to use them. No electronic communication is completely risk-free, and WhatsApp is operated by a third party under its own privacy terms. If you would prefer we use only a particular method, or not leave voicemails or messages at a particular number, tell us and we will follow your instructions.
Retention and your file
We keep client files for the period required by our professional and legal obligations after the matter ends, then destroy them securely. Original documents belong to you and are returned on request. You can ask for a copy of your file at any time.
Access, correction and withdrawal of consent
You can ask to see the personal information we hold about you, ask us to correct it, or withdraw a consent you have given, subject to legal and professional limits. We respond within a reasonable time, and within any time limit set by law. Our handling of personal information also follows Canada’s federal private-sector privacy law, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
This website
This website does not use advertising or tracking cookies. Our fonts are delivered by Google Fonts, which receives the technical information browsers normally send, such as your IP address. Information you submit through the consultation form is sent only to our office and used only to respond to you.
Questions and complaints
Our privacy officer is Ali Tabrez. Write to contact@atworldimmigration.com or to ATWORLD IMMIGRATION, Suite 205, 1201 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1S2. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Effective: November 2026.
Last reviewed November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration law and IRB procedure change often; we confirm the current rules for your file at your consultation.