The Consulate-General of India (CGI) in Dubai issued an urgent advisory on 12 October cautioning Indian nationals against unscrupulous agents offering “guaranteed” UAE employment visas and charging inflated processing fees. The mission said it continues to receive complaints from workers who arrive on tourist visas only to discover that promised jobs, accommodation and residency permits do not exist. Under UAE law, employment visas can be arranged only by licensed recruitment firms or directly by the hiring company, with all costs—including Emirates ID and medical tests—typically borne by the employer. Victims report paying up to INR 200,000 (about AED 8,800) for bogus documentation before being stranded without legal status. The CGI urged applicants to verify offer letters through the UAE Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation’s online portal and to cross-check the sponsoring company’s trade licence. It also reminded job-seekers that working on a visit visa is illegal and can result in detention and fines of up to AED 50,000. The advisory carries implications for UAE-based employers as well. Firms hiring large numbers of Indian staff should provide clear, authenticated contracts and avoid using unregistered “sub-agents” in source countries. Corporations found to be indirectly benefiting from visa fraud can face blacklist penalties, hampering future recruitment programmes. CGI Dubai has set up a dedicated helpline and email address for prospective workers to report suspicious offers. Multinationals with mobility programmes are encouraged to circulate the alert to their Indian talent pipelines and ensure that onboarding processes comply with both UAE and Indian emigration regulations.
