Dubai Police Warns Against Fake Visa and Job Offers Circulating Online

Dubai Police has warned residents and jobseekers to exercise caution when responding to online advertisements offering work, residence or visit visas in exchange for payment. The warning was issued by the Anti-Fraud Centre at the General Department of Criminal Investigation as part of Dubai Police's ongoing Be Aware of Fraud campaign.

Fraudsters are using social media platforms and messaging applications to advertise visa and employment services, sometimes using the names of unlicensed companies or falsely presenting themselves as official government entities.

Dubai Police has urged the public to complete visa-related procedures only through competent government authorities or legally approved service providers.

Fraudulent advertisements may use company names, logos or language designed to make an offer appear legitimate. In some cases, scammers claim that they can provide employment, secure a work visa quickly or arrange residence status in exchange for an upfront payment.

Dubai Police has advised individuals not to rely on the appearance of an advertisement or the claims made by an intermediary. Visa offers and employment opportunities should be independently verified through official channels before money or personal documentation is provided.

The UAE Government provides specific verification procedures for people receiving employment offers. A person offered a private-sector job in the UAE should receive an employment offer issued through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). The validity of the offer can be checked using the relevant reference or transaction information through MoHRE's enquiry services.

The UAE Government also advises jobseekers to verify that the company making the offer legally exists and to confirm the legitimacy of the employment documentation before travelling or making payments. Employers are responsible for recruitment expenses under UAE labour rules. Requests for substantial payments from prospective employees in return for obtaining employment should therefore be treated with particular caution.

Dubai Police's warning is also relevant to advertisements that combine tourist or visit visas with promises of employment. Holding a UAE tourist or visit visa does not give a person the right to work in the country. UAE Government guidance states that working while holding such a visa can expose both the worker and employer to fines and legal liability. There is a separate UAE jobseeker visit visa, which allows qualifying individuals to enter the country to explore employment opportunities. However, that status allows the individual to search for work. It does not itself constitute a work permit.

Individuals can verify visa and entry permit information through official UAE government systems.

For visas and entry permits issued in Dubai, verification is available through the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA Dubai). For permits issued in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, verification is available through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).

GDRFA Dubai also provides an online service allowing users to check the status and validity of visa, residence and related applications.

Fraudulent visa schemes do not only expose victims to financial loss. Applicants may also be asked to provide passports, Emirates ID details, photographs, banking information or other personal data that could subsequently be misused. Dubai Police therefore recommends verifying the source of a service before providing personal information or making any payment.

The official UAE Government guidance similarly advises individuals to establish that a travel agent or service provider is genuine before transferring money or sending copies of official documents.

Dubai Police has asked members of the public to report fraudulent advertisements and attempted scams promptly. Reports can be made through the Dubai Police smart application, the eCrime reporting platform or by contacting 901for non-emergency enquiries. Dubai Police's eCrime reporting infrastructure is specifically designed to allow members of the public to report cybercrime through digital channels.

NUR Advisory Note

Visa and employment fraud presents a risk both to individuals and to legitimate UAE businesses.

Companies recruiting internationally should ensure that candidates receive clear and verifiable documentation and that recruitment communications are sent through identifiable corporate channels.

Employers should also be alert to third parties falsely claiming to recruit on their behalf.

A practical verification process should include checking the identity of the company or service provider, verifying employment offers through MoHRE where applicable, confirming visa information through GDRFA Dubai or ICP, and refusing to make payments to individuals or unverified intermediaries.

For businesses using external immigration, recruitment or PRO service providers, the provider's legal status and authority to perform the relevant service should also be verified before documents, employee data or payments are transferred.

The key point is that speed or convenience should not replace verification. Promises of guaranteed employment, unusually fast visa approval or unofficial routes to UAE residence should be checked against the procedures published by the competent government authority before any transaction proceeds.