You do not need legal training to filter out most bad actors in overseas recruitment. You need ten questions and the discipline to walk away when the answers are wrong.
The checklist
- 1. What is your MEA licence number? A licensed agent states it instantly and expects you to verify it.
- 2. Can I see the demand letter for this role? Real openings have real employer paperwork.
- 3. What exactly will I sign? You should see the employment contract before any payment.
- 4. What are the total charges, and will I get a receipt? Legal service charges are capped and always receipted.
- 5. Do you accept cash? The correct answer is no — digital payment only.
- 6. Which visa category will I travel on? A work deployment on a tourist visa is not a shortcut; it is the trap.
- 7. Who holds my passport? You do. Always.
- 8. What happens if the deployment falls through? A licensed agent explains the refund policy in writing.
- 9. Who do I contact after arrival? There should be a named support channel, not silence.
- 10. What can you not guarantee? The honest answer includes visa outcomes and processing times — no one controls an embassy.
Ask all ten of us, too. An agency that resents being verified is telling you something important.