Desperation makes international candidates vulnerable. Scammers use the promise of a UK visa to steal money and personal data. Always prioritize your safety over a fast job offer.
1. The Non-Negotiable Rule: Never Pay Recruitment Fees
A legitimate employer pays for the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), the Immigration Skills Charge, and all recruitment-related costs. You should never pay a company to secure a job offer or an interview.
- **What You Pay:** The only payments you should make are the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), both paid directly to the UK government, not the employer.
2. Verify the License Number (The Essential Check)
If an employer claims to be a sponsor, they must provide their sponsor license number. You can verify this number instantly on the official government website.
Warning: If they refuse to provide a number or claim it is "confidential," end all communication immediately.
3. Professional Communication and Domain Checks
A real UK company, especially one hiring internationally, will use professional channels.
- Be suspicious if the offer comes from a generic email domain (Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo).
- All official emails should come from a company domain (e.g., [email protected]).
4. The Interview Process Red Flags (Too Easy)
If you receive a job offer without a detailed interview, a video call, or proper vetting, it is extremely likely to be fake. Real sponsorship is a costly process for the employer and requires high confidence in the candidate.
5. Reporting Scams: How to Fight Back
If you encounter a suspected scam, report it to the UK's Action Fraud service. This helps protect other vulnerable job seekers.
Your safety is paramount. We verify the license status of every single listing on our platform so you can apply with confidence.