BEOE warns against visa fraud by trade test centres

ISLAMABAD: The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE) has issued a public advisory warning citizens against fraudulent claims by trade test centres offering overseas jobs or visas.

In a statement, the BEOE clarified that trade test centres are not recruitment agencies and have no legal authority to offer foreign employment visas.

According to the advisory, the role of a trade test centre is limited to assessing the technical skills of candidates after the legal recruitment process has been initiated through a licensed Overseas Employment Promoter (OEP).

Trade test centres may conduct practical and technical skills tests and issue test results under the supervision or arrangements of a licensed OEP. However, they cannot advertise overseas jobs or visas, claim to have visas available, guarantee employment or visas, independently send workers abroad, or collect unauthorised fees for jobs or visas.

The BEOE said any advertisement for private-sector overseas employment must be issued by a licensed OEP after obtaining approval from the relevant Protector of Emigrants. The advertisement must carry a valid permission/tracking number, which can be used to verify details including the employer, destination country, job title, number of vacancies, salary and other conditions.

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The bureau warned that claims by a trade test centre that “visas are available” or that it can send candidates abroad should be treated as a serious indication of possible fraud.

Applicants may show their original passport for identification purposes but should not leave it permanently with a trade test centre. They were also advised to pay only clearly stated and verifiable official fees, obtain proper receipts for all payments and avoid transferring money to personal bank accounts or mobile wallets.

The bureau advised aspirants to immediately lodge a complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against those trade test centres that demand money in the name of a visa or overseas employment.