Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Merida Worldwide ("Company", "we", "our", or "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information entrusted to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, process, disclose, and safeguard personal information obtained through:

• Landing Calls (paid, $60 USD, booked via Cal.com)
• Scouting Trip, Soft Landing, and White Glove Relocation Packages
• Customized Relocation Plans
• The Relocation Guide Collection
• The Vetted Service Providers Directory
• Community memberships, events, and meetups
• Website forms
• Intake questionnaires and pre-call forms
• Email, WhatsApp, and social media communications

By using our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect information provided directly by you, including:

• Full name, email address, phone number
• Nationality and current country of residence
• Date of birth (when voluntarily provided)
• Family composition and household members, travel companions and pets
• Emergency contact information
• Language level and communication preferences

• Intended relocation timeline and expected arrival date
• Housing preferences and budget ranges
• Immigration objectives and current status
• Lifestyle preferences, hobbies, and interests
• Professional background and work/remote work situation
• Family needs and healthcare considerations
• Transportation preferences and social integration goals
• Prior international living or travel experience, cultural adaptation and safety concerns

• Landing Call responses and questionnaire submissions
• Customized Relocation Plan intake responses and uploaded supporting documents
• Meeting notes and communication history
• Support and revision requests
• Provider selections from the Vetted Service Providers Directory
• Onboarding status and service delivery history

Payments are processed through third-party payment providers, including Stripe. Merida Worldwide does not store full credit card information.

3. Information Collected Automatically

When visiting our website or digital platforms, we may automatically collect:

• IP address
• Browser type and device information
• Operating system
• Website usage statistics and pages visited
• Referral sources
• Cookies and similar technologies

4. How We Use Information

We may use personal information to:

• Evaluate Landing Call eligibility and program compatibility
• Provide relocation services and deliver customized plans
• Schedule and confirm Landing Calls and appointments
• Coordinate onboarding and manage community access
• Curate housing recommendations based on stated preferences
• Manage Vetted Service Providers Directory selections and deliver the Guide Collection

As part of our boutique service model, submitted information may be used to assess overall relocation readiness and community fit, evaluate program compatibility, determine service eligibility, conduct internal risk assessment, and profile client needs for service customization. Submission of information does not guarantee acceptance into any program.

• Respond to inquiries, deliver requested resources, and manage memberships
• Process payments, maintain internal records and audit trails
• Improve services, analyze performance, and prevent fraud
• Manage events, meetups, and community invitations; enforce community rules

With your consent, we may send newsletters, event announcements, community updates, and promotional communications. You may unsubscribe at any time.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

Where applicable, we process personal information based on:

• Client consent (including consent provided via intake form checkboxes)
• Contractual necessity
• Legitimate business interests
• Legal obligations

6. Intake Forms and Relocation Assessments

Clients are required to complete mandatory intake forms and questionnaires as part of the onboarding process, including a pre-call intake form (sent automatically upon booking a Landing Call, and required before attending the session) and a Customized Relocation Plan questionnaire (sent upon purchase of an eligible package). All intake forms contain privacy notices and require explicit acknowledgment of consent before submission.

Failure to complete required forms may result in delayed services, rescheduling, or cancellation without refund. Clients are responsible for providing truthful, accurate, and complete information; inaccurate or incomplete submissions may affect the quality of services delivered.

7. Boutique Admission & Community Screening

As part of our boutique service model, Merida Worldwide reviews information provided during intake forms, Landing Calls, relocation assessments, and community onboarding for service compatibility assessment, community fit evaluation, program alignment, operational feasibility, and internal risk assessment. The Company reserves the right to decline service enrollment or community participation based on these evaluations, at its sole discretion.

8. Information Sharing

We do not sell personal information. We may share information only when reasonably necessary with:

Client information may be shared with relevant third-party service providers when required to deliver services, including immigration specialists, attorneys, realtors, insurance providers, healthcare providers, translators, and other vetted professionals in the Company’s network. Information is shared only when relevant to the services requested by the client.

• Cal.com (scheduling)
• Stripe (payment processing)
• CRM and client management systems
• Email and communication providers
• Cloud storage providers

We may disclose information when required by applicable laws, court orders, government authorities, or legal proceedings.

9. Third-Party Service Providers

Merida Worldwide may refer clients to independent service providers, including those listed in the Vetted Service Providers Directory. The Company is not responsible for the privacy practices, data handling procedures, or security measures of third-party providers. Clients should review the privacy policies of any provider they engage.

10. Community Membership Privacy

Participation in community groups, networking activities, WhatsApp groups, events, and memberships may involve interaction with other members. Members are responsible for exercising discretion regarding the personal information they choose to share within community settings. Clients must read and accept community rules before access is granted; violations may result in permanent removal from all Company communities without refund. Merida Worldwide cannot guarantee the actions of community participants.

11. Event Photography and Media

The Company may capture photographs, videos, testimonials, and event footage during community activities and events. Such materials may be used for marketing, social media, website content, and promotional purposes. Individuals who prefer not to appear in media should notify organizers in writing before the event.

12. Data Retention

We retain information only for as long as reasonably necessary to provide services and maintain business records, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, protect business interests, and maintain audit trails of service delivery, provider selections, and onboarding history. Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the information.

13. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, organizational, and technical measures to safeguard personal information, including intake form responses, uploaded documents, and communication history. However, no method of transmission, storage, or electronic communication can be guaranteed to be completely secure. The client acknowledges that use of digital communications, including WhatsApp and email, carries inherent risks.

14. International Clients

Merida Worldwide serves international clients. By providing information, clients acknowledge that data may be processed, stored, or accessed in jurisdictions different from their country of residence.

15. Client Rights

Subject to applicable law, clients may request:

• Access to personal information held by the Company
• Correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion of personal information
• Withdrawal of consent
• Restriction of processing

Requests may be submitted using the contact information at the end of this policy.

16. Intellectual Property & Proprietary Information

Client information submitted to the Company remains subject to applicable privacy protections. However, all proprietary methodologies, systems, templates, moving plans, resource materials, databases, guides, checklists, questionnaires, onboarding resources, and internal documentation remain the exclusive property of Merida Worldwide. Clients may not copy, share, redistribute, resell, or reproduce any Company materials. Nothing in this Privacy Policy transfers ownership of Company intellectual property.

17. Children's Privacy

Merida Worldwide services are intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18 without parental or legal guardian involvement.

18. Policy Updates

The Company reserves the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Updated versions may be published through Company communication channels. Continued use of services constitutes acceptance of any revised version.