Protect your money

Avoid visa scams

Visa and job-offer scams cost families their savings. These warning signs come up again and again.

Before you pay anyone

Nobody can guarantee a visa. Only the government of the country you apply to decides.
UK employers must not charge you for a Certificate of Sponsorship.
German missions say you don't need an agent to get a visa appointment.
Check any adviser or recruitment agent on an official register before you pay.

A promise of a visa, a "100% success rate" or a job "already approved".
A request to pay for a UK Certificate of Sponsorship or for an NHS or care job. Employers must not charge for these.
An offer to arrange bank statements, a sponsor or a temporary balance for you. Fake or borrowed funds are checked and can lead to a ban.
Payment only in cash, to a personal account or through a third person.
Pressure to pay today, or a "last few places" deadline.
A university, college or employer you can't find on the official sponsor lists.
Selling visa appointment slots. German missions say you don't need an agent for appointments, and Pakistan's embassy waiting list is free.

Many governments license agents who recruit workers for jobs abroad. Ask the agent for their licence number and check it with the authority yourself.

Country	Authority
Pakistan	Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE)
India	eMigrate
Bangladesh	Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET)
Nepal	Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE)
Sri Lanka	Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE)
Nigeria	Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment
Ghana	Labour Department
Kenya	National Employment Authority (NEA)
Philippines	Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)

Immigration advisers for the UK, Canada and Germany must be regulated. See how to find a regulated adviser and check them on the official register.

Stop paying, keep every message and receipt, and report it to the police and the authority that licenses agents in your country.