UAE Warns Jobseekers Against Fake Jobs and Visa Scams

DUBAI: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has issued a strong warning to job seekers about rising cases of fake job offers and visa scams.

In an official statement, MoHRE cautioned that some scammers claim to represent legitimate UAE employers or recruitment agencies, offering jobs that require upfront payments for processing, visas, or entry permits. The ministry emphasized that any genuine job offer in the UAE must be issued directly by MoHRE and be accompanied by an official work entry permit.

“If someone offers you a job in the UAE, make sure it comes through MoHRE,” the ministry stated. “You must receive an official entry permit for employment. Working while on a tourist or visit visa can lead to fines and legal action.”

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Key Guidelines to Avoid Employment Fraud

MoHRE shared a series of precautionary steps for job seekers to protect themselves from recruitment scams:

• Verify the offer: Check that the job offer is issued by MoHRE and signed by the authorized employer.
• Confirm offer status: Use the MoHRE website and select “Application Status Inquiry” to verify the offer number.
• Entry permits only through MoHRE: After signing the offer, the employer must issue an electronic work entry permit for you to enter the UAE legally.
• Tourist or visit visas do not permit employment—never work under one.
• Employers, not workers, bear recruitment costs under UAE law.
• Validate company details: Confirm the employer’s existence on the National Economic Register.
• Verify visa authenticity:
  • For Dubai-issued visas, use the GDRFA website.
  • For other emirates, use the ICP eChannels platform.
• Avoid middlemen and unofficial agents. Tourist entry permits are only issued through licensed airlines (Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia), hotels, or registered travel agencies.
• Check official fees before any payment, and seek help through the Amer live chat service (Dubai) or ICP eChannels (other emirates).
• Residency visas cannot be processed outside the UAE—you must enter with a valid work entry permit.

This warning was issued as part of MoHRE’s broader “Zero Bureaucracy” program, which seeks to simplify procedures, cut red tape, and improve service efficiency.

The session, attended by Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary for Human Resources Affairs, and Mohammed Saqr Al Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services, also focused on improving the Work Package platform—a digital system designed to streamline HR and business management in the private sector.