1. Parties

This Initial Consultation Agreement (the “Agreement”) is between Sterna Global Immigration Inc. (“Sterna”, “we”, “us”), 1925 18 Ave NE, Suite 123, Calgary, Alberta T2E 7T8, gsalinas@sternaglobal.com, acting through Gina Marcela Salinas, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, RCIC-IRB, College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) licence R712458 (the “Consultant”), and the person who books the consultation (“you”).

2. Who provides this consultation

The consultation is provided by Sterna Global Immigration Inc., not by ORBE Allende. ORBE Allende is a community nonprofit initiative. It does not provide immigration advice or representation, does not charge or receive any fee for this consultation, does not receive your booking details or the information you share during the call, and is not responsible for any advice given.

ORBE Allende’s role is limited to publishing this booking option for its community. The Consultant is a co-founder of ORBE Allende and also the licensed consultant at Sterna; this dual role is disclosed so you can make an informed choice (see section 9).

3. The consultation

• Length and format: up to 15 minutes, by Google Meet video call, in Spanish or English.
• Cost: complimentary (no fee) for followers of ORBE Allende. One complimentary consultation per person and matter.
• Purpose: a general orientation to understand your situation at a high level, identify the type of matter (for example, a refugee claim or IRB hearing, a work or study permit, or permanent residence), explain general options and next steps, and let you know whether and how Sterna could help through a paid service.
• Booking: through the Google Calendar booking page linked from orbeallende.org, using your name, email address, phone number and a short description of your question.

4. What the consultation does not include

• a full assessment of eligibility or of the merits of your case;
• a detailed review of documents, a written opinion or a written plan;
• preparing, reviewing or submitting any form, application, Basis of Claim (BOC) form or evidence;
• representation before Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) or any other authority;
• monitoring your deadlines or communicating with any authority on your behalf.

Any information given during the call is general and based only on what you share in those 15 minutes. It may be incomplete and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice from an authorized representative who has reviewed your full situation.

5. No representation until a written retainer is signed

This consultation does not make Sterna or the Consultant your representative. A professional relationship for immigration services begins only when you and Sterna sign a written Retainer Agreement that sets out the scope of services and fees, in accordance with the CICC Code of Professional Conduct, and any required initial payment is made.

Until then, you remain fully responsible for your own deadlines. If you have an urgent deadline (for example, an IRB hearing, a BOC due date, a removal date or an IRCC request), say so in the booking form and seek help immediately. A 15-minute orientation may not be enough to protect your rights in an urgent matter.

6. Your responsibilities

• Give true, accurate and complete information. We will never help anyone provide false or misleading information to any authority.
• Join on time. If you are more than 5 minutes late, we may need to reschedule.
• Do not record the call without the Consultant’s express consent.
• If you want someone with you (for example, a family member or interpreter), tell us at the start of the call. Their presence may affect confidentiality.

7. No guarantee

Decisions on immigration and refugee matters are made independently by the Government of Canada and the IRB. No outcome, timeline or approval is guaranteed by Sterna, the Consultant or ORBE Allende.

8. Confidentiality and privacy

• Sterna is responsible for the personal information collected through the booking form and during the consultation. It is used only to schedule, conduct and follow up on your consultation.
• Booking information is collected and stored through Sterna’s Google Workspace account (Google Calendar), which may store data outside Canada.
• The Consultant keeps what you share confidential in accordance with the CICC Code of Professional Conduct and applicable privacy law, including Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act and, where it applies, the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.
• Your information is not shared with ORBE Allende or anyone else without your consent, unless required by law.
• Please do not send identity documents or other sensitive files by email before the call unless we ask you to.
• You may ask to access or correct your information, or withdraw consent, by writing to gsalinas@sternaglobal.com.

9. Conflict of interest and your freedom to choose

• Booking this consultation does not oblige you to hire Sterna. You are free to choose any authorized representative: a lawyer or paralegal who is a member of a Canadian law society, a notary in Québec, or a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant licensed by the CICC.
• Your participation in ORBE Allende’s programs, events, groups or community support never depends on whether you hire Sterna.
• Before giving any substantive advice, the Consultant will check for conflicts of interest. If a conflict exists, Sterna may decline to advise and will tell you so.

10. Rescheduling and cancellation

• You can cancel or reschedule free of charge using the link in your confirmation email, at least 4 hours before the appointment.
• Sterna may reschedule if an unforeseen professional matter arises and will offer you a new time.
• If you miss two booked consultations without notice, Sterna may not offer another complimentary appointment.

11. If you want further help

If you decide to continue, Sterna will explain the proposed services and fees and send you a written Retainer Agreement before any paid work begins. Any paid consultation will be clearly identified as paid before it is booked.

12. Questions and complaints

If you have a concern about the consultation, please contact Sterna first at gsalinas@sternaglobal.com. You may also contact the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, which regulates RCICs in Canada, at college-ic.ca.

13. Governing law and language

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the Province of Alberta and the federal laws of Canada that apply there. The Spanish summary is provided for convenience; if there is any difference, the English version prevails.

14. Acceptance

By booking the consultation and typing your full name in the acceptance field of the booking form, you confirm that you have read, understood and accept this Agreement.