Gulf Visa Scam & Fake Job Offer Check: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman & Bahrain

Thousands of jobseekers fall victim to unlicensed recruiting sub-agents who issue fake work permits, tourist visas disguised as employment visas, or counterfeit offer letters from Gulf companies. Verifying your documents directly on official destination government portals before paying any money is your single most critical protection.

1. Red Flags of Fake Overseas Job Offers

• Free Visa Promises with Upfront Medical/Processing Fees: Agents demand non-refundable payments transferred to personal UPI or bank accounts.
• Generic Email Addresses: Offer letters sent from Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail instead of verified official corporate domains.
• Tourist / Visit Visas for Work: The agent claims you will fly on a visit visa and convert to employment on arrival. Under modern Gulf immigration rules, working on a tourist visa is strictly illegal, leads to immediate deportation, and leaves you zero labor court protections.
• Unregistered Recruiters: Agents operating out of informal WhatsApp or Telegram channels without a registered government recruiting license.

2. 🇦🇪 UAE: Verify Visa on ICP & GDRFA Portals

1. Federal ICP Portal (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, UAQ, RAK, Fujairah): Visit smartservices.icp.gov.ae → Click Public Services → Application Tracking or File Validity → Enter your Passport Number and Unified ID (UID).
2. Dubai Visas (GDRFA): Visit gdrfad.gov.ae → Select Track Application / File Status → Enter your Application Number and Passport Details.
3. MOHRE Offer Letter Check: Verify your electronic preliminary work agreement on the official MOHRE app using your Transaction Number.

3. 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: Verify Visa on MOFA & Qiwa Portals

1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA): Visit the official MOFA visa platform (visa.mofa.gov.sa) → Select Inquiry → Choose Visa Application → Enter your Application Number and Passport Number.
2. Enjaz / Electronic Visa Verification: Confirm that the visa status shows Issued (صادر) and matches the licensed recruiting sponsor in Saudi Arabia.
3. Qiwa Contract Verification: Once authenticated, your official electronic contract must appear authenticated on qiwa.sa with transparent basic salary and allowances.

4. 🇴🇲 Oman: Verify Visa on Royal Oman Police (ROP) Portal

1. Visit the official Royal Oman Police e-Visa Portal at evisa.rop.gov.om.
2. Click on Track Your Application on the home banner.
3. Enter your Visa Application Number (provided by the agent) and your Travel Document (Passport) Number.
4. Verify that the visa category is officially designated as Employment Visa (not Tourist or Express Visa) and that the sponsor name matches the employer in Oman.
5. You can also verify corporate sponsorship validity with the Ministry of Labour at toll-free 800 77000.

5. 🇧🇭 Bahrain: Verify Visa on LMRA & Bahrain e-Visa Portals

1. Visit the Bahrain Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) Express Services at lmra.gov.bh.
2. Navigate to Express Services → Application Status Inquiry.
3. Enter your Passport Number and Nationality to verify active work permit applications filed by Bahraini companies.
4. Cross-verify the entry permit on the official Bahrain e-Visa Portal (evisa.gov.bh) under Inquire About Visa Status.
5. If no record appears, the visa paper given by the agent is fraudulent. Call LMRA directly at 995 or +973 1710 3103.

6. How to Report Fraud & Lodge Police Complaints

If you have been cheated by an unauthorized agent, immediately lodge formal reports with:

• 🇮🇳 India: Check agency registration on MEA eMigrate (emigrate.gov.in). Lodge complaints on MADAD (madad.gov.in) and file a formal FIR at your State Cyber Crime Cell / NRI Police Cell.
• 🇵🇰 Pakistan: Verify licensed Overseas Employment Promoters (OEP) at BEOE (beoe.gov.pk) and lodge complaints with FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circles (1991).
• 🇧🇩 Bangladesh: Verify authentic recruiting agencies through the BMET portal (bmet.gov.bd) and report fraudulent touts to the Probashi Kallyan Desk.