Visa Scams in the UAE – The UAE is one of the most sought-after job destinations for Nepalese and other expatriates. However, with the rise in employment opportunities, scammers and fake recruitment agencies have also increased, targeting job seekers with false job offers and fraudulent visa schemes. Many people lose money, face legal trouble, or even get deported due to visa scams. Always get the right type of Visa for Employment in the UAE.
To help you stay safe, this guide will cover:
✅ How to verify a genuine job offer in the UAE?
✅ Red flags of fake recruitment agencies.
✅ Legal steps to take if you get scammed.
By following these precautionary steps, you can ensure that your job search in the UAE is secure and legal.
1. How to Verify a Genuine Job Offer in UAE?
Before accepting any job offer, verify the legitimacy of the employer and the job contract to avoid falling victim to recruitment scams.
1.1 Steps to Verify a Job Offer in the UAE
✅ Step 1: Confirm the Employer’s Legitimacy
- Check if the company is registered with MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation) or in a UAE Free Zone Authority.
- Visit the company’s official website and social media pages to check credibility.
- Search for Google reviews and employee feedback on websites like Glassdoor and Bayt.com.
👉 Where to Verify?
🔹 MOHRE Website – www.mohre.gov.ae
🔹 Free Zone Authorities (e.g., Dubai Free Zones, Abu Dhabi Free Zones)
✅ Step 2: Cross-Check the Job Offer & Visa Processing
- A genuine UAE job offer comes with an Official Job Offer Letter from the employer, which must be registered in MOHRE’s system.
- You can verify your job offer on MOHRE’s website by entering your details.
👉 How to Verify a UAE Job Offer?
🔹 Visit MOHRE website → Enter job offer number → Confirm authenticity.
✅ Step 3: Avoid Paying for a Job Offer
- Employers in the UAE are responsible for covering work visa costs.
- A genuine employer will never ask job seekers to pay for visas, medical tests, or recruitment fees.
👉 If an agency asks for money upfront, it’s a scam! 🚨
2. Red Flags of Fake Recruitment Agencies and Visa Scams in the UAE
Fake recruitment agencies trap job seekers by promising high salaries, easy work visas, and fast processing. Here are the warning signs:
🚩 1. Fake Job Offers with Unrealistic Salaries
🔴 If a job offers a very high salary with no experience needed, it is likely a scam.
🔴 Scammers target Nepalese workers by offering jobs in hotels, security, cleaning, and retail but later demand money for visa processing.
👉 Tip: Compare salaries using trusted job portals like Bayt.com, GulfTalent, and Indeed.
🚩 2. Unregistered or Suspicious Agencies
🔴 Fake agencies use free email addresses (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) instead of official company domains.
🔴 They don’t have a physical office location and avoid video calls.
👉 Tip: Always check if the recruitment agency is licensed by the Nepali Department of Foreign Employment (DOFE) and MOHRE (UAE Ministry of Labour).
🚩 3. Asking for Money in Advance
🔴 Scammers ask for payments for work permits, medical tests, or visa processing fees.
🔴 Some fraudsters guarantee jobs in exchange for money but disappear after receiving payments.
👉 Tip: A genuine UAE employer always covers visa processing costs.
🚩 4. No Written Job Offer or Contract
🔴 A fake recruiter will avoid giving a written job offer and only communicate over phone or WhatsApp.
🔴 They will pressure you to act fast and say the job will be lost if you don’t pay.
👉 Tip: Always demand an official, signed job offer letter verified by MOHRE.
🚩 5. Fake UAE Job Listings on Social Media
🔴 Many scammers post fake job ads on Facebook and WhatsApp offering easy jobs with visa sponsorship.
🔴 These job ads don’t include company names, contact details, or MOHRE registration numbers.
👉 Tip: Apply only through trusted job portals like Bayt, LinkedIn, GulfTalent, or official company websites.
3. Legal Steps to Take If You Get Scammed in UAE
If you have been scammed by a fake recruitment agency or fraudster, follow these steps:
✅ 1. Report to UAE Authorities
- File a complaint with MOHRE (Ministry of Labour) – Call 600 590 000
- Report fake recruiters to the UAE police (Dubai Police Cybercrime Unit)
- Lodge a complaint at your nearest UAE embassy or consulate
👉 MOHRE Official Website – www.mohre.gov.ae
✅ 2. Report to the Nepalese Embassy in UAE
If you are a Nepalese worker who has been scammed, contact:
- Nepal Embassy, Abu Dhabi: +971 2 633 4586
- Nepal Consulate, Dubai: (No consulate in Dubai, contact the Abu Dhabi embassy)
✅ 3. Seek Legal Help
- If you paid money to a scammer, file a police report immediately.
- Approach a UAE-based labor lawyer to assist with legal action.
👉 UAE Police Cyber Crime Report – www.dubaipolice.gov.ae
✅ 4. Warn Others
- Share your experience in Nepali community groups on Facebook & WhatsApp to prevent others from falling for scams.
- Leave negative reviews about fake agencies to expose their fraud.
4. How to Safely Apply for Jobs in UAE?
To avoid scams and find legal jobs, follow these steps:
✅ Apply only through trusted UAE job portals:
- Bayt.com
- GulfTalent.com
- Indeed.ae
- LinkedIn.com
- Official company career pages
✅ Verify job offers on MOHRE’s website before accepting.
✅ Do not pay money for visas, work permits, or recruitment fees.
✅ Avoid social media job listings that look too good to be true.
✅ Ask your Nepali friends or community in UAE for job referrals.
Final Thoughts
Visa scams are increasing in the UAE, and Nepalese job seekers must stay cautious when applying for jobs.
🔹 Verify Job Offers: Check the employer’s MOHRE registration before accepting.
🔹 Avoid Fake Recruiters: Never pay visa fees or job placement fees upfront.
🔹 Know the Red Flags: Unrealistic salaries, no written contracts, and suspicious agencies are warning signs of scams.
🔹 Report Fraud: If scammed, report to MOHRE, UAE police, and the Nepalese embassy.
By following these precautionary steps, you can protect yourself from fake job offers and secure a legal, safe job in the UAE.