Many job seekers use a job consultancy or recruitment agency to find work in Dubai and the Gulf. Some are genuine and registered; others are not. This guide, based on Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and UAE Government guidance, shows how to check an agent before you pay or hand over documents.
You can also apply to employers directly on Gulf jobs or Dubai jobs.
Step 1: Check That the Agent Is Registered (India)
The MEA advises you to always deal with a registered Recruiting Agent. You can check whether an agent is registered on the eMigrate portal (emigrate.gov.in), and you should ask the agent for the registration (licence) number and note it down.
Step 2: Know the Service-Charge Limit
Indian rules limit what a registered recruiting agent can collect from a worker. The MEA’s recruiting-agent page (last updated 10 February 2023) states that the charge shall not exceed the equivalent of wages for 45 days as per the employment contract, subject to a maximum of Rs 20,000. Some later advisories issued by Indian missions quote Rs 30,000 plus GST. Because the figures differ between sources, confirm the current limit with the office of the Protector General of Emigrants before you pay, and always get a written receipt.
Step 3: Verify the Employer and the Offer (UAE)
If the job is in the UAE, the UAE Government Portal and MoHRE advise you to:
- Get a job offer issued by MoHRE and signed by an authorised manager.
- Check the offer reference number through MoHRE’s application status enquiry.
- Confirm the company in the National Economic Register.
- Wait for the electronic work entry permit before you travel, and verify it on GDRFA (Dubai) or ICP eChannels (other emirates).
The UAE Government Portal also says the employer is responsible for recruitment expenses under the UAE Labour Law, and that a visit or tourist visa does not give you the right to work.
Warning Signs
- The agent will not give a registration number or the name of the employer.
- You are asked to pay for the job itself, or told the job will be arranged after you arrive on a visit visa.
- The agent says a UAE residency visa can be completed while you are outside the UAE.
- You are asked to pay before official fees have been confirmed.
If You Have Been Cheated
According to the MEA you can lodge a complaint with the office of the Protector General of Emigrants with the agent’s details, contact the Indian Embassy or Consulate, register on the MADAD portal, or call the Overseas Workers Resource Centre (OWRC).
Related reading: Dubai jobs for Indians and urgent job vacancies in Dubai.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a recruitment agent is registered in India?
Check the eMigrate portal and ask the agent for the registration number, as advised by the MEA.
How much can a registered agent charge?
The MEA’s recruiting-agent page states 45 days’ wages up to Rs 20,000 (page dated 10 Feb 2023); some later mission advisories mention Rs 30,000 plus GST. Confirm the current limit with the Protector General of Emigrants.
Who pays for the visa in the UAE?
The UAE Government Portal says the employer is responsible for recruitment expenses under the UAE Labour Law.
Where do I complain about an agent?
Contact the office of the Protector General of Emigrants, the Indian Embassy or Consulate, the MADAD portal or the OWRC, as listed by the MEA.
Sources
- Ministry of External Affairs, India: Complaints against recruiting agents
- Ministry of External Affairs, India: Recruiting agents
- UAE Government Portal: Tips to stay safe from labour and visa fraud
- Gulf News: MoHRE warns job seekers of fake job offers and visa scams (updated 25 Oct 2025)
- Legal 500: Recruitment obligations under UAE labour law (Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021)
Facts in this article were checked against the sources above in November 2026. Rules, fees and processes can change, so confirm with the official authority before you apply or pay anything.
