How to Spot a Fake Immigration Consultant: 10 Red Flags and Free Official Checks
Written by AlternateVisa Editorial · Expert reviewer not yet assigned
Not yet verified against official sources — figures may be out of date · against USCIS — H-1B Specialty Occupations · How we check facts
Fake visa agents and overseas-job 'consultancies' take upfront fees and disappear, or arrange fake interviews. Before you pay anyone, check them against the official government registers below. This guide is educational and does not accuse any named business.
10 red flags
1) A guaranteed visa or job abroad. No consultant can guarantee a government decision. 2) Large upfront 'processing' or 'job search' fees before any written contract. 3) Payment to a personal bank account or UPI ID. 4) A job offer without a real interview with the employer. 5) Pressure to decide today. 6) Fake or copied government logos. 7) Asking you to lie on forms or buy fake documents. 8) No registered office or licence number. 9) Communication only on WhatsApp or Telegram. 10) Fees far below or far above what official sites list.
Free official checks before you pay
Overseas-job recruiters in India must be registered with the Ministry of External Affairs: search the list of registered recruiting agents on the eMigrate portal (emigrate.gov.in).
Canada: paid immigration consultants must be licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (college-ic.ca). Australia: registered migration agents are listed by OMARA (mara.gov.au). UK: immigration advisers must be regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (gov.uk).
Always compare fees with the official government fee page for your visa. AlternateVisa country pages link to each official source.
If you have been cheated
Report online fraud at cybercrime.gov.in or call the national helpline 1930 as quickly as possible, and file a police complaint. Keep receipts, chats and bank records. Overseas-job fraud can also be reported to the MEA through the eMigrate portal.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a visa agent is genuine in India?+
For overseas jobs, check the MEA's registered recruiting agents on emigrate.gov.in. For a specific country, check that country's official adviser register, such as CICC for Canada or OMARA for Australia.
Can a consultant guarantee my visa?+
No. Only the government decides. A guarantee is a warning sign.
Where do I report immigration fraud in India?+
Report at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930, and file a police complaint with your evidence.
Official sources
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