Is this job offer or agent real? 7 checks before you pay anything
Every year many Pakistanis lose their savings to fake visa agents. Do these checks before you hand over money, your passport or your CNIC.
1. Is the agent a licensed OEP?
In Pakistan only a licensed Overseas Employment Promoter (OEP) may recruit people for jobs abroad (Emigration Ordinance 1979). Ask for the licence number and check it on the official Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment website. No licence = do not deal.
2. Is there a real employer and a written job offer?
A genuine offer names the employer, the job, salary, contract period, and benefits such as accommodation and air ticket. "Visa ready, job later" offers are a common trick.
3. Can you check the visa yourself?
- Saudi Arabia: check visa status on the official Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa inquiry service (visa.mofa.gov.sa).
- UK: a Skilled Worker job needs a licensed sponsor. Search the employer on the official UK register of licensed sponsors.
- Other countries: use only the embassy or government website of that country, never a link sent by the agent.
4. Are you being asked for big money up front?
The fees a licensed OEP may charge are fixed by the government. Asking for lakhs of rupees "for the visa" or "for the file", in cash or to a personal account, is a red flag.
5. Will you get Protector registration?
Workers going abroad for employment are registered with the Protector of Emigrants before departure. An agent who says "no need for Protector" is avoiding the law.
6. Government recruiter option
The Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) is the Government of Pakistan's own recruiter. Its jobs are listed on this site with an Official govt source badge.
7. Red flags at a glance
| Red flag | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| "100% guaranteed visa" | No one can guarantee a visa; embassies decide. |
| Payment to a personal account / JazzCash number | No receipt, no way to recover money. |
| Office only on WhatsApp or Facebook | Licensed OEPs have a registered office address. |
| They keep your original passport "for processing" | You lose control; do it only with a licensed OEP and a receipt. |
| Visit visa for "work" | Working on a visit visa is illegal and risks deportation. |
Where to report fraud
Report fake agents to the Bureau of Emigration and to the FIA.
This page is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules change; the official websites above are the final authority. Last reviewed: November 2026.