Legal
Cookie Policy
Last updated: January 2026
1. What cookies are
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, to remember preferences, and to provide information to the website owner. This page explains how VisaForge uses cookies and similar technologies on visaforge.online.
2. Categories we use
Essential cookies are required for the site to function — for example, remembering your cookie preference.
Analytics cookies help us understand how the site is used in aggregate. Data is anonymised; we do not attempt to identify individual users.
Advertising cookies are set by Google AdSense and partner ad networks to display ads, measure their performance, and (where you give consent) personalise ad content. These cookies fund free public access to our research.
3. Cookies we set
| Name | Provider | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| vf_consent_v1 | VisaForge (first-party) | Essential | Stores your cookie consent choice so the banner is not shown on every page view. | 12 months |
| _ga, _ga_* | Google Analytics 4 | Analytics | Aggregated, anonymised usage analytics that help us understand which guides are useful and where to improve coverage. | Up to 24 months |
| __gads, __gpi, IDE, NID | Google AdSense / Google | Advertising | Set by Google to deliver advertising, measure ad performance, and (with consent) personalise ads. See Google's privacy notice for details. | Up to 13 months |
4. Google AdSense personalisation
VisaForge displays advertising via Google AdSense to fund free access to our research. Google may use cookies and identifiers to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites. You can opt out of personalised advertising at google.com/settings/ads, or visit aboutads.info for industry-wide opt-out tools. Where required by law, we obtain your consent before non-essential cookies are set.
5. How to control cookies
You can change or withdraw consent at any time by clearing your browser storage for this site, which will cause our consent banner to reappear on your next visit. You can also block or delete cookies through your browser settings — note that doing so may affect site functionality.
6. Contact
For questions about this Cookie Policy, contact privacy@visaforge.online. See also our Privacy Policy.