India’s Consulate-General in Dubai issued an urgent public advisory on 12 October 2026 cautioning Indian nationals against unscrupulous ‘visa consultants’ and migration brokers operating in the UAE. The mission said it continues to receive complaints about agents who promise high-salary jobs or fast-track work permits in exchange for large upfront fees, only to disappear or provide forged documents. The advisory reminds residents that UAE employment visas can only be secured through licensed recruitment agencies or direct corporate sponsorship. It lists red-flag behaviours—requests for cash deposits, confiscation of passports, or guarantees of on-arrival job changes—that typically signal fraud. Victims are encouraged to file police reports in the UAE and submit case details to the consulate’s labour-welfare wing for follow-up with local authorities. With more than 3.5 million Indians living and working in the Emirates, the warning has major mobility ramifications for both employers and relocating employees. HR teams sourcing talent from India should verify that third-party facilitators are registered on India’s eMigrate system and licensed by the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation. Companies that inadvertently hire workers on fraudulent visas risk fines, business-licence suspension and reputational damage. The consulate advises jobseekers to cross-check offer letters via UAE’s ICP ‘Verify Job Offer’ portal and to insist on written contracts that specify salary, role and entitlements. It also highlights official helplines, including Dubai Police’s 901 number and the consulate’s 24-hour emergency line, for those facing exploitation or document seizure. Prudent employers should brief new hires on legitimate application channels, reimburse authorised visa costs directly, and prohibit any sub-contractor from collecting recruitment fees. Robust compliance not only shields workers but also protects companies from liability under the UAE’s updated labour-law provisions on fair recruitment and anti-trafficking.
