Cookie Policy Statement

We use a feature of your internet browser called a ‘cookie’ on the VFS website. We do not use ‘cookies’ to retrieve personal information about you from your computer. You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer (see Cookie Maintenance below). This may prevent you from taking full advantage of this website and others.

What is a cookie?

A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer’s hard drive. Assuming you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic. Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website, by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us.

What type of Cookies are used on the VFS website?

Our ‘Performance’ Cookies are used to provide aggregated statistics on visitors to our website and their browsing behaviour.  This helps us analyse data about web page traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs. The data is aggregated and anonymised, which means we cannot identify you as an individual. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes and then the data is removed from the system. We use Google Analytics and Bing Webmaster Tools to carry out analytical functions on our site including. You can view their privacy policies:

• http://www.google.com/intl/en_ALL/policies/privacy/
• http://www.microsoft.com/privacystatement/en-gb/bing/default.aspx

Your Acknowledgement

After you have read our policy you will have sufficient details about the ‘cookies’ used on the VFS website to be reassured that we use them responsibly. By using our website, you agree that we can place these types of cookies on your device.

Cookie Maintenance

You can set your browser to accept or reject all specific ‘cookies’.  You can also set your browser to alert you each time a ‘cookie’ is presented to your computer.  You can also delete ‘cookies’ that have been stored on your computer.  By disabling your ‘cookies’ from the browser settings, you will be restricting the ‘cookies’ that VFS use to manage its website and this may have an impact on how the website will function.  This will apply to all websites once ‘cookies’ are disabled via your browser settings and not just the VFS website. If you would like to restrict or block ‘cookies’ that are set by us and other websites, you can do this through your web browser settings. Instructions for how to do this for the four most used web browsers are below.  For other web browsers, please use the Help function on your browser for details on how to do this.   For information on how to restrict or block ‘cookies’ on your mobile phone, you will need to refer to your handset manual.

Guide to Disabling ‘Cookies’ using Web Browsers

Safari 1. Go to the Safari menu. 2. Click on the Preferences. 3. Click the ‘Security’ tab. 4. Under ‘Accept Cookies’, set it to accept, reject, or selectively accept cookies. Firefox 3.0+ 1. Click on ‘Tools’ in the menu bar 2. Click on ‘Options…’ 3. Click on ‘Privacy’ Tab in the top section 4. From the drop down box select ‘Use custom setting for history’ 5. Un-tick the box that says ‘Accept Cookies From sites’ 6. Click OK and Close the screen. Internet Explorer 7.0+ 1. Click on ‘Tools’ in the menu bar 2. Click on ‘Options’ 3. Click on ‘Privacy’ Tab on top section 4. Click on the ‘Advanced” button 5. Select ‘Prompt’ for both ‘First party cookies’ and ‘Third Party Cookies’ 6. Click OK and Close the screen. Google Chrome 8.0+ 1. Click to ‘Tools Menu’ 2. Click on ‘Options’ 3. Click on ‘Under the Bonnet’ 4. Click on ‘Cookie Setting’ button and tick ‘Block all third-party cookies without exception’ 5. Close the screen.