Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

Awesome Travel (Pty) Ltd (“Awesome Travel”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) operates the Voyager applicant portal at voyager.awesometravel.co.za. We are a South African company that facilitates work exchange and training programmes for South African participants placing them with host employers in the United States of America.

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us at info@awesometravel.co.za.

2. What Information We Collect

When you use the Voyager portal, we collect the following categories of information:

• Identity documents: Copies of your passport, national ID, police clearance certificate, and other verification documents.
• Personal details: Full name, date of birth, nationality, contact number, WhatsApp number, and home address.
• Educational & employment history: Qualifications, transcripts, CV, work experience, and reference contact details.
• Financial information: Proof of payment records and selected payment plan details.
• Medical information: Medical fitness certificates required by programme regulations.
• Communication records: Messages exchanged through the portal between you and our team.
• Account credentials: Email address and authentication details (via Google Sign-In or email/password).

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information solely for the following purposes:

• Processing and managing your application for a work exchange or training programme.
• Verifying your identity and eligibility for participation.
• Matching you with a suitable host employer in the United States.
• Communicating with you about your application status, programme requirements, and next steps.
• Facilitating visa applications and related government submissions.
• Complying with legal obligations under South African and United States law.

4. Who We Share Your Information With

Your information may be shared with the following third parties where necessary to process your application:

• Host employers (USA): Your CV and relevant profile information is shared with potential host companies for matching purposes.
• US programme sponsors: Designated sponsors responsible for the J-1 visa programme receive required documentation.
• United States Embassy: Documents required for visa processing are submitted as required.
• SEVIS: Your information is submitted to the US Student and Exchange Visitor Information System as required by law.
• Service providers: We use Google (Firebase, Google Drive, Google Workspace) to store and process data securely. These providers are bound by their own privacy and security commitments.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for marketing purposes.

5. Data Storage & Security

Your data is stored securely using Google Firebase (Firestore database and Google Drive), which provides industry-standard encryption at rest and in transit. Access to your data within our system is restricted to authorised Awesome Travel staff only. Document files are stored in a secure, private Google Drive folder linked to your application.

6. How Long We Keep Your Data

We retain your personal information for as long as your application is active and for a period of up to five (5) years after the conclusion of your programme or the closure of your application, in order to comply with legal and regulatory obligations. After this period, your data will be securely deleted or anonymised.

7. Your Rights

In accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa, you have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate or outdated information.
• Request deletion of your information, subject to legal retention requirements.
• Object to or restrict the processing of your information.
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at info@awesometravel.co.za.

8. Cookies & Authentication

The Voyager portal uses cookies and local browser storage solely for authentication and session management purposes (keeping you logged in). We do not use tracking cookies or advertising cookies. You may log out at any time to clear your session.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.