The rules that keep this community worth trusting.

The rules

1. Treat people with respect

No harassment, bullying, hate speech or discrimination — including by nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality or disability. Disagreement is fine; contempt is not. No threats, incitement or targeted mockery of someone's immigration setback.

2. No scams or fraud — zero tolerance

• No "guaranteed visa", paid-slot or backdoor offers. Nobody can guarantee a visa outcome.
• No fake job offers, forged documents, or agent services that require payment through untraceable channels (gift cards, crypto, wire to personal accounts).
• No impersonating embassies, universities, officials or other members.
• Suspect something? Post to the Scam Alert board — it protects everyone.

3. Share accurate information

Immigration rules change fast. State what you know first-hand, flag what you believe but can't verify, and link official sources for visa, fee and deadline claims. Intentionally misleading people about requirements, timelines or costs is a serious violation — bad information costs people real money and real years.

4. Protect privacy — yours and theirs

• Never post anyone's personal documents, passport data, addresses, phone numbers or private messages without consent.
• Blur out personal details when sharing screenshots of letters or decisions.
• Don't pressure members to reveal their identity, employer or case specifics.

5. No spam or deceptive promotion

• Businesses and services belong in the Service Directory, clearly labelled — not disguised as member recommendations.
• No mass DMing, referral-link flooding, vote manipulation or engagement bait.
• Disclose affiliations: if you benefit from a recommendation, say so.

6. Keep it legal

No content that facilitates crimes: forged documents, visa fraud techniques, smuggling, or buying/selling unlawful services. Discussion of legal processes — even difficult ones — is welcome; instructions for breaking the law are not.

7. Post in the right place

Keep posts in their relevant space, use the right content type, and don't cross-post the same thread everywhere. Moderators may move or merge content that belongs elsewhere.

8. Handle sensitive topics with care

Mental health, denials, deportation, family separation — these threads involve real people at their lowest. Be constructive. Content promoting self-harm or exploiting vulnerable members is removed immediately and may be escalated.

How enforcement works

Moderators — community members plus the Japa.to team — enforce these rules using a graduated ladder:

Step	What happens
1. Note	Content removed with a polite explanation — most first issues end here.
2. Warning	A formal warning on your account record for repeated or more serious violations.
3. Restriction	Temporary limits on posting, messaging or specific spaces.
4. Suspension	Time-limited account suspension for serious or repeated violations.
5. Ban	Permanent removal for scams, fraud, threats, or persistent abuse. Scam and fraud violations skip the ladder entirely.

Reporting & appeals

• Report: use the report option on any post or profile, the Scam Alert board for fraud, or the contact form (topic "Report abuse"). Reports are confidential and reviewed by humans.
• Appeal: think a moderation decision was wrong? Open a ticket from your account and a different reviewer takes a second look.

These rules are enforced alongside the Terms of Service. They evolve with the community — material changes are announced, not slipped in quietly.