How to check if a UAE job offer is real
Simple checks to spot fake UAE job offers: fees, visa promises, WhatsApp-only contact, free email addresses and offers that are too good to be true.
Updated 25 October 2026
The one rule: never pay for a job
In the UAE the employer pays the costs of recruiting you, including the work permit and visa. A real employer or licensed agency will not ask you for a registration fee, visa fee, medical fee, training fee or a deposit to secure the job.
If anyone asks you to pay before you start work, stop. It does not matter how official the letter looks.
Warning signs
One sign alone does not always mean a scam, but two or more together should make you very careful.
- They ask for money: "processing fee", "visa charges", "refundable deposit".
- The salary is far above what similar jobs pay (for example AED 15,000 a month for a cleaner).
- "Guaranteed visa", "no interview", "100% selection" or "urgent, join tomorrow".
- Contact only on WhatsApp or Telegram, with no office address or landline.
- A big company name (an airline, an oil company, a government entity) but the email is @gmail.com, @yahoo.com or @outlook.com.
- They want your passport, Emirates ID or bank details before any interview.
- The offer letter has spelling mistakes, a wrong logo or no company licence number.
How to check the employer
Search the company name with the word "scam" or "fraud". Look for an official website, and check that the email domain in the offer matches that website.
Call the company on a number you found yourself on its official website, not the number in the message.
Before you travel or resign from your current job, make sure you receive a proper offer letter and, once you are in the UAE, an employment contract registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
Official advice on recruitment fraud is on the UAE government portal (u.ae) and the MOHRE website.
How JobSahar helps
Every job posted directly on JobSahar is checked for these warning signs before it goes live, and jobs with a high scam score are never shown. Jobs that passed review carry a "✓ Checked" tag.
Every job page has a "Report this job" button. If you see something wrong, report it and we will look at it.
Questions
Can a recruitment agency charge me a fee in the UAE?
No. Under UAE labour rules the employer bears recruitment costs, and licensed agencies must not take fees from workers. If an agency asks you for money, do not pay and report it.
The offer says the fee is refundable. Is it safe?
No. A "refundable" fee is one of the most common scam tricks. Real employers do not ask for deposits.
I already paid. What should I do?
Stop all payments, keep every message and receipt, and report it to the UAE police (eCrime platform or your nearest police station) and to MOHRE.