Verify Your UAE Job Offer: Essential Steps to Avoid Labour Fraud
Receiving a job offer to work in the UAE can be an exciting opportunity. However, before making any plans, it is crucial to ensure that the offer is genuine and sanctioned by the relevant authorities. Failure to do so could result in falling victim to labour and visa fraud.
Understanding Labour and Visa Fraud
Labour fraud typically involves scammers who impersonate legitimate employers or agents, offering fake job opportunities along with counterfeit employment visas. These fraudsters may establish fictitious companies to lure victims into using tourist visas for work, which is illegal. In some cases, they may also request upfront payments for visa processing or insurance.
Legal Framework Governing Recruitment Procedures
Familiarity with UAE regulations regarding employment and visa requirements is essential for safeguarding against potential scams. According to UAE Federal Law No. 8 of 1980 concerning Labour Relations, individuals on visit or tourist visas do not have the legal right to work in the UAE, whether compensated or not. Engaging in employment under these visa categories can lead to severe penalties, including fines, deportation, and even imprisonment.
When offered a job in the UAE, it is mandatory for the employer to provide an offer letter issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). The validity of this letter can be verified through specific steps outlined below.
As stipulated by UAE Labour Law, employers are responsible for covering recruitment costs, including work permits, medical tests, and residence visa processing. Legitimate job offers will not require candidates to pay these expenses upfront.
If you are outside the UAE and have received a residence visa, be aware that this is not feasible. A residence visa cannot be processed for applicants located outside the UAE; they must first enter the country with a valid entry permit.
Steps to Safeguard Against Labour and Visa Fraud
The employment process in the UAE’s private sector typically involves receiving a formal job offer, signing an employment contract, obtaining a work permit, and finally securing a work visa. To ensure that your job offer letter is authentic and that you are on the path to legal employment in the UAE, follow these steps recommended by MOHRE:
Step 1: Confirm the Company’s Existence
The initial step in avoiding scams is to verify whether the company offering you the job is legitimate. You can search for the company’s name in both English and Arabic in the UAE’s National Economic Registry.
Access the Registry here: National Economic Registry.
Step 2: Validate the Offer Letter
If you receive a job offer in the UAE, it must be accompanied by an offer letter issued by MOHRE and signed by an authorized manager. According to MOHRE, the job offer should detail the rights and obligations of both parties in accordance with UAE Labour Law, along with the terms and conditions of employment.
The offer letter must be provided in Arabic and English, as well as in a third language understood by the worker. It should include an annex detailing the provisions of UAE Labour Law, available on MOHRE’s website. The employer must electronically sign the job offer and send it to the worker in their home country for review and approval.
Step 3: Verify the Job Offer’s Validity
Before signing the offer, it is prudent to verify its authenticity. To do this, visit MOHRE’s Inquiry Service portal at inquiry.mohre.gov.ae.
- Navigate to the Inquiry Services section and select ‘Enquiry for Job Offer’.
You will need to input the following details:
- Transaction number: A unique alphanumeric code located under the MOHRE logo on the offer letter.
- Company number: Each organization has a unique ‘Company number’ or ‘Establishment number’, which can be found on the offer letter.
- From Date and To Date: The agreed duration for the fixed-term contract, typically set for two years.
- Select ‘All Work Permits’ from the drop-down menu.
- Complete the Captcha verification and click ‘Submit’.
If the offer is legitimate, the system will display the job offer details, confirming its validity. Missing details, such as the MOHRE logo or transaction number, should raise red flags.
Step 4: Obtain and Verify Your Work Permit
Once you have verified and signed the job offer letter, the next step is to secure an entry permit for the UAE. The employer is required to send you an electronic entry permit for employment, allowing you to enter the UAE and complete your residence visa application. This permit is typically valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
When checking the validity of your entry permit, pay close attention to the expiry date to plan your travel and avoid overstaying.
To verify the validity of an entry permit issued in Dubai, visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA) website. The GDRFA oversees entry permits and residence visa status inquiries.
- Visit the following link: GDRFA Status Inquiry.
- Enter your application number, transaction number, and payment date for the visa.
- Alternatively, if you have your entry permit, you can search by ‘File’ using the file number displayed on your work permit.
For entry permits issued in other emirates, such as Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, you can verify the status on the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) website.
- Visit: ICP Visa Validity Check.
- In the ‘Search by’ section, select ‘Passport information’ and follow the prompts to check the validity of your entry permit.
Step 5: Consult the Right Authorities
If you have any questions or concerns at any stage of the employment or visa process, it is advisable to seek clarification from the appropriate authorities.
For inquiries related to visas in Dubai, the GDRFA can be contacted at their toll-free number, 800 5111 (within the UAE) or +97143139999 (outside the UAE). Their contact center operates 24/7.
For other emirates, the ICP can be reached at 600522222 (within the UAE) or +971600522222 (outside the UAE). They also offer a live chat service for immediate assistance.
Source: www.emirates247.com
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Published on 2026-05-10 10:24:00 • By the Editorial Desk
