Effective Date: October 2025
Company Name: True North Global Connections (Pty) Ltd (“TNGC”)
Company Registration: 2025/651709/07
Registered Address: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Email: support@tngc.co.za
Telephone: +27 (0) 75 257 9997
Currency: All fees are quoted in Euro (€) unless otherwise stated, and converted at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment.
1. Purpose
These Terms and Conditions govern cancellations, refunds, and related obligations for all clients, students, and candidates engaging True North Global Connections (Pty) Ltd (“TNGC”) for services relating to international study, work, or visa assistance.
TNGC operates in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA), the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA), and the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA).
Nothing in these Terms limits the Client’s statutory rights under the CPA or the ECTA.
2. Definitions
Client / Candidate: The person or entity purchasing or using TNGC services.
Service: Includes recruitment, consultancy, visa facilitation, pre-recorded courses, and placement services offered by TNGC.
Agreement: Refers to the contract between TNGC and the Client.
Processing Fee: The non-refundable administrative amount charged to cover initial service, consultation, or document-handling costs.
3. Cancellations
Cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to TNGC’s official contact address. The effective date of cancellation is the date TNGC receives written notice. The Client may cancel services at any time, subject to the applicable refund schedule.
TNGC reserves the right to cancel or suspend services where false or misleading information is provided, payments are not received, or external factors make fulfilment impossible. In such cases, TNGC will provide a written explanation and refund any eligible portion of fees paid, less applicable costs.
Online purchases (ECTA): Clients who purchase services electronically are entitled to cancel within seven (7) days of receiving confirmation of the transaction, provided that the service has not yet commenced. TNGC will issue a full refund, less reasonable administrative costs.
Direct marketing (CPA): Where a purchase results from direct marketing, the Client may cancel the agreement within five (5) business days of conclusion or delivery, whichever is later, in terms of CPA Section 16. A full refund will be issued, less any reasonable costs permitted by law.
4. Refund Policy
4.1 Workers Refund
Refunds are determined by the stage of the process at which cancellation occurs:
- Within seven (7) days of full payment and document submission:
The Client is entitled to a full (100%) refund, less a €200 processing fee. Once the contract, required documents, and full payment have been received, TNGC observes a seven-day holding period before commencing the process.
Should the Client wish to expedite processing, they may sign a consent form authorising TNGC to begin the service immediately. By doing so, the Client acknowledges and agrees to waive their right to the seven-day full refund period (minus processing fees).
- After the seven-day holding period:
TNGC initiates the work-permit application process, including payments to third parties and government entities. At this point, the Client may receive a 50% refund of the total payment made to TNGC. - After the work permit has been obtained:
Once the work permit has been issued it will be provided to the Client, TNGC will proceed with scheduling the embassy interview. At this stage, the Client is no longer eligible for any refund. - Fraudulent or falsified documentation:
If the Client submits false, illegal, or fraudulent documents, TNGC reserves the right to terminate services immediately. No refund will be provided, the Client will be blacklisted, and TNGC may notify relevant authorities.
By making payment and submitting documentation, the Client confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted these refund stages, and expressly consents to the refund limitations permitted under Section 48 of the CPA.
4.2 Student Refunds
Tuition fees paid through TNGC are fully refundable in cases such as visa rejection or course cancellation (subject to the respective institution’s refund policy). Refunds will be processed promptly upon receipt of official confirmation of visa rejection or cancellation.
TNGC charges a non-refundable processing fee (e.g., €200) to process applications and secure placements.
- If TNGC successfully secures an offer letter or placement, the processing fee is not refundable.
- If TNGC is unable to secure an offer letter or placement, the processing fee will be refunded in full.
Except for the processing fee, all other payments made to TNGC are refundable in cases of visa rejection or course cancellation.
Some third parties—such as universities, courier services, or assessment bodies—may impose non-refundable charges. Clients will be notified of such charges in writing prior to payment.
The processing fee represents reasonable administrative costs as contemplated under Section 17(2)(b) of the CPA, and covers legitimate expenses incurred by TNGC.
4.3 Courses
All course sales are final. Once TNGC has delivered course materials to the Client, no refunds will be issued.
If the Client purchases a course directly through one of TNGC’s partner platforms, refund eligibility will be subject to that partner’s terms and conditions. In most cases, refunds are not available.
Digital access waiver (ECTA): By accessing or downloading digital course materials, the Client requests immediate commencement of the service and waives the seven-day cooling-off period under ECTA Section 42(2)(f). This waiver does not affect the Client’s rights under the CPA in the event of defective, misleading, or incomplete content.
5. Non-Refundable Components
The following components are strictly non-refundable:
- Consultation or registration fees.
- Costs paid to third parties (universities, embassies, translation, couriers, or medical tests).
- Government or visa processing fees.
- Bank transfer and currency-conversion charges.
All non-refundable items will be clearly itemised and disclosed to the Client in writing before payment, in compliance with CPA Section 48.
Reasonableness factors: Any cancellation or administrative charge will reflect actual losses and savings, taking into account the notice period, stage of service, third-party costs, administrative time, and value already received by the Client, per CPA Section 17(4).
6. Limitation of Liability
6.1 Free Student Recruitment – UK, USA, Canada, and Australia
For student recruitment and placement services provided by TrueNorth Global Connections (Pty) Ltd (TNGC) for universities and institutions in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, and Australia, services are offered free of charge to the candidate.
An administrative fee of €200 (two hundred euros) is payable to cover document handling, communication, and application support. This fee is strictly non-refundable, even if the candidate withdraws or the application is unsuccessful.
Because no service fee is charged beyond this administrative cost, no financial liability, refund, or compensation of any kind shall apply.
TNGC acts solely as a facilitator between the applicant and the respective universities or immigration authorities and does not guarantee admission, scholarship, visa approval, or any specific outcome.
All final decisions rest exclusively with third-party institutions and government bodies.
To the fullest extent permitted under South African law, TNGC, its directors, employees, and partners shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive losses, including but not limited to financial loss, delay, or disappointment resulting from third-party decisions beyond TNGC’s control.
This limitation does not apply to liability arising from gross negligence, fraud, or intentional misconduct, as prohibited under the Consumer Protection Act (68 of 2008).
6.2 Paid Student Recruitment – Europe
For student recruitment and placement services within Europe, where candidates pay a service fee of up to €3,000 (three thousand euros), TNGC’s total cumulative liability for any claim—whether in contract, delict, or otherwise, and including any applicable refunds, damages, or compensation of any kind—shall not exceed the lower of:
- €1,000 (one thousand euros); or
- The total amount paid by the client for the specific service.
TNGC shall not be liable for any loss, delay, inconvenience, or outcome dependent on the decisions of universities, embassies, courier services, or government bodies.
6.3 Professional Recruitment – Europe
For professional recruitment and placement services within Europe, where candidates pay a fee of up to €10,000 (ten thousand euros), TNGC’s total cumulative liability for any claim—whether in contract, delict, or otherwise, and including any applicable refunds, damages, or compensation of any kind—shall not exceed the lower of:
- €2,500 (two thousand five hundred euros); or
- The total amount paid by the client for the specific service.
TNGC shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, or incidental losses, including employer withdrawal, visa denial, or changes in government or immigration policies.
6.4 General Provisions
TNGC provides all services in good faith and acts as an intermediary and facilitator only.
No representation, promise, or guarantee is made regarding the outcome of any application, placement, or visa decision.
This limitation of liability clause prevails over any conflicting provision in these Terms and Conditions and shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
This clause complies fully with the Consumer Protection Act (68 of 2008), Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (25 of 2002), and common-law principles of fairness and reasonableness.
7. POPIA and Data Protection
TNGC collects and processes client information strictly in compliance with POPIA (2013) and relevant international data-protection standards. Data is used solely for service delivery, securely stored, and never shared without consent unless required by law.
- Information Regulator Compliance: TNGC maintains appropriate technical and organisational security measures and is committed to compliance with the Information Regulator of South Africa.
- PAIA Manual: TNGC maintains a PAIA Section 51 manual, available upon request or via the company website.
- Cross-border data transfers: Personal information will only be transferred outside South Africa under POPIA Section 72 safeguards—where adequate protection, consent, or contractual guarantees are in place.
Clients may request access to, correction, or deletion of their data at any time by contacting support@tngc.co.za.
8. Global Application
These Terms apply to all clients worldwide. TNGC adheres to South African law while recognising equivalent consumer-protection standards in other jurisdictions.
9. Force Majeure
TNGC shall not be liable for any delay or non-performance caused by events beyond its control, including but not limited to natural disasters, political unrest, pandemic restrictions, embassy closures, or technological failures.
10. Dispute Resolution
Any dispute shall first be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved, the dispute will be referred to mediation or arbitration in Cape Town, South Africa, under the Arbitration Act 42 of 1965.
Nothing in this clause limits the Client’s right to refer a dispute to the National Consumer Tribunal or any competent court as provided under the CPA.
11. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
12. Supplier Information (ECTA Section 43)
Legal Name: True North Global Connections (Pty) Ltd
Registration Number: 2025/651709/07
Address: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Email: support@tngc.co.za
Telephone: +27 (0) 75 257 9997
Website: www.tngc.co.za
Principal Place of Business: Cape Town, South Africa (Virtual Platform)
13. Acknowledgement of Key Terms
By signing or accepting these Terms electronically, the Client confirms that the refund limitations, cooling-off waivers, non-refundable components, arbitration clause, and other key conditions have been brought to their attention in plain language and expressly accepted in accordance with CPA Sections 48 and 49.