On this page
1. What cookies are
Cookies are small files a website stores in your browser. We also use similar browser storage (local storage and session storage). In this policy we call all of these “cookies”.
2. How we use them
We use essential cookies to make the site work, and one functional cookie for our price display test. We only use analytics and marketing cookies if you say yes, and you can change your mind at any time.
3. Cookie categories
Essential
Always on. Needed for the site and the application form to work, to remember your cookie choices, and for secure payment. They do not track you for advertising.
Functional
Price display test. We are testing two ways of showing prices: version A shows them to everyone, version B shows them after you sign in. Applying needs sign-in in both. Each browser is placed in one version at random and the avd_ab cookie keeps you in it for 90 days, so prices don’t appear and disappear between visits. It holds no personal details and is not shared with other companies. Results of the test are only sent to Google Analytics if you allow analytics cookies.
Analytics
Optional, off until you allow them. Help us understand how visitors use the site, in aggregate, so we can improve it.
Marketing
Optional, off until you allow them. Help us measure our advertising. If your browser sends a Global Privacy Control signal, we treat it as a “no” to marketing cookies.
4. Cookies we use
Set by us
| Name | Category | Purpose | Kept for |
|---|---|---|---|
avd-consentLocal storage | Essential | Stores your cookie choices | 12 months |
avd_abCookie | Functional | Keeps you in the same version of our price display test on every visit: version A shows prices to everyone, version B shows them after you sign in. Chosen at random; holds no personal details | 90 days |
avd-abLocal storage | Functional | A copy of avd_ab, used to restore it if the cookie is cleared | Until cleared |
avd-ab-buyLocal storage | Functional | Remembers which paid orders were already counted in the price display test, so none is counted twice | Until cleared |
avd_sid, avd_sCookie | Essential | Keeps you signed in securely, and tells the site that you are signed in | 30 days, or until you sign out |
avd-cur, avd-cur-setLocal storage | Essential | Remembers the currency you picked for the local price estimate | Until cleared |
avd-natLocal storage | Essential | Remembers the passport you chose, to pick the currency of the local price estimate | Until cleared |
avd-siteLocal storage | Essential | Remembers if you chose the full website on a phone | Until cleared |
avd-userLocal storage | Essential | Keeps you signed in on this device | Until you sign out |
avd-otpSession storage | Essential | Holds the sign-in code you are waiting for while you sign in | Until you close the tab |
avd-welcome, avd-sg-noteSession storage | Essential | Shows a one-time message after you sign in or out | Until you close the tab |
avd-known, avd-user-lastLocal storage | Essential | Remembers who signed in on this device, so you don’t retype your details | Until cleared |
avd-appsLocal storage | Essential | Lists applications on your signed-in account on this device: reference, visa and status only, never documents | Until cleared |
avd-travellersLocal storage | Essential | Keeps travellers you saved in My visas, so you can reuse their details | Until cleared |
avd-docs-fixedLocal storage | Essential | Remembers that you sent a document we asked for, so the reminder goes away | Until cleared |
avd-draftLocal storage | Essential | Keeps your unfinished application form, text only, never documents | 7 days |
avd-upload-draftLocal storage | Essential | Links the files you uploaded to your unfinished application, so they survive a reload. Holds a reference only, never the files | Until you finish or clear it |
avd-apply-pendingSession storage | Essential | Keeps your order reference while you pay, so you return to the right step | Until you close the tab |
avd-apply-filesSession storage | Essential | Keeps the names of the files you uploaded while you pay. Never the files themselves | Until you close the tab |
avd-apply-qSession storage | Essential | Remembers that the visa and speed you picked were already applied to the form, so a reload keeps your later changes | Until you close the tab |
avm-nat, avm-textLocal storage | Essential | Remembers your nationality and text size on our mobile site | Until cleared |
avd-pwa-*, avd-ck-sessLocal and session storage | Essential | Remembers whether we have shown the prompt to install our app | Until cleared |
avd-dev, avd-demoSession storage | Essential | Turns on test mode, used only by our team | Until you close the tab |
Set by other companies
| Name | Category | Provider | Purpose | Kept for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
__stripe_mid, __stripe_sid | Essential | Stripe | Fraud prevention during payment | Up to 1 year |
_ga, _ga_* | Analytics | Google Analytics | Counts visits and shows how the site is used, in aggregate | Up to 2 years |
_fbp | Marketing | Meta | Measures the performance of our ads | 3 months |
5. Your documents are never stored in your browser
Your unfinished application form is kept in local storage on this device for 7 days, text only, then deleted. Your photo and passport files are never stored in your browser: they are uploaded straight to us over an encrypted connection.
6. Managing your choices
- Change your choices at any time using the button below or the “Cookie settings” link at the bottom of every page.
- You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Blocking essential cookies may stop parts of the site, such as the application form, from working.
7. Changes and contact
We will update this policy if the cookies we use change. Questions: visa@applyevisadubai.ae.