Identifying Fraudulent Companies in Visa Sponsorship

𝟔 𝐦𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐬 about Saudi work visas. The “Visa-Giving Company” Is a Scam 🔴 . And it’s costing people their careers. Let’s get one thing straight: No one gives you a Saudi work visa. A visa is not a product. It’s a permission that comes after you secure a real job. If someone is selling you the visa first, they’re not helping you. They’re scamming you. 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 #𝟏: “Any company can get you a visa” Reality: Only Saudi companies with: A valid Commercial Registration Government-approved visa quotas Compliance with Saudization rules can sponsor a work visa. Many “visa-giving companies” are shells. The visa may exist. The job usually doesn’t. You arrive in Saudi Arabia with nowhere to work. Game over. 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 #𝟐: “Come on a visit visa, we’ll convert it later” Reality: Visit and Umrah visas are for visiting — not working. Conversion is rare, restricted, and often impossible. Working on a visit visa is illegal. When caught, consequences are real: • Deportation • Fines • Possible re-entry bans 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 #𝟑: “The visa matters more than the contract” Reality: This is completely backwards. The contract creates the job. The visa only allows entry to perform it. If someone is vague about the contract but obsessed with the visa, walk away. 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 #𝟒: “Pay a fee and we guarantee the job + Iqama” Reality: Legitimate employers never charge candidates. Not for: • Visa processing • File opening • Guarantees If you’re paying, you’re not a candidate. You’re the customer in a con. 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 #𝟓: “Once inside Saudi, switching sponsors is easy” Reality: Sponsor transfer is regulated and system-controlled. It requires: • A compliant current sponsor • A valid new employer • Official approvals Arriving under Company A and working for Company B = illegal. The system will catch it. 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 #𝟔: “This foreign agent is my sponsor” Reality: Agents cannot sponsor you. Only a Saudi entity can. The sponsor name on your visa and Iqama must match your employer. No Saudi CR number? No deal. The simple rule to avoid scams Legit path: Real Saudi company → Real job offer → Signed Qiwa contract → Company applies for visa → Entry to KSA → Iqama issued → Work starts Scam path: Agent talk → “Visa first” → Payment requests → Vague contract → “Job after arrival” promises → Lost money, time, and status Bottom line In Saudi Arabia, systems always beat stories. There are no shortcuts around the Ministry of Labor. No magic visas. No guarantees for sale. Only: • A real employer • A real contract • Real compliance If someone offers a shortcut, they’re lying. This is exactly why 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢 exists — to help professionals understand the system before they make irreversible mistakes, and to navigate the market with structure, not hope. Stop looking for a “visa-giving company” Start looking for a real job.

🛑 Beware of Fake Recruiters & Job Scams — A Real Example From My Experience In the past few weeks, I’ve noticed an increase in scammers pretending to be recruiters or HR professionals offering overseas jobs with “fully sponsored visas” or “guaranteed placements.” Unfortunately, I recently experienced this myself. A person approached me claiming to be hiring for an Executive Assistant position abroad. Everything looked legitimate at first — professional messages, well-designed documents, even a fake company name. But after reviewing the details closely, a few red flags appeared: They asked for personal information too early No official company email or website Pressure to respond quickly Inconsistencies in the job requirements And eventually… they hinted at payments/fees That’s when I realized it was a scam disguised as a job opportunity. --- 💡 What I Learned (and What You Should Watch Out For): ✔ Legit employers never ask for money ✔ Official recruiters use company domains, not free emails ✔ Visa sponsorship always follows normal recruitment steps ✔ If something feels “too good to be true,” it probably is ✔ Always verify the company on LinkedIn, website, and reviews --- 🔐 Job searching is already stressful — don’t let scammers make it worse. I’m sharing this to help someone else avoid what I went through. If you’re unsure about a job offer or recruiter, feel free to double-check or ask for a second opinion. Let’s keep each other safe.

🚨 Issued a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)? Here’s How to Spot a Fake ⚠️ 🚨 You’ve worked hard to secure your dream job in the UK. But what if your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) isn’t genuine? Sadly, many overseas workers discover too late that they’ve fallen victim to fraudulent CoS schemes—often after spending valuable time. Don’t let this happen to you. Use This Checklist to Verify Your CoS: 1️⃣ CoS Number and Format: Check for a unique 11-digit reference number starting with ‘C’. A legitimate CoS will have a highlighted “Certificate of Sponsorship details” box. 2️⃣ Expiry Date: For defined CoS, the expiry date is typically three months. If the validity period is significantly different, be cautious. 3️⃣ Job Information: Ensure the job title, occupation code, and salary match your job offer and follow Home Office regulations. Cross-check occupation codes on the official government website. 4️⃣ Company Details: Verify the employer’s name, address, and sponsor licence status using trusted sources like Companies House, Google, and social media. 5️⃣ Certificate Status: The certificate status should read “Assigned.” Be wary of discrepancies in status or assignment dates. 6️⃣ PAYE Reference: Check for a PAYE reference number. Its absence could indicate a fraudulent document. 7️⃣ Accuracy of Personal Details: Make sure your name, passport number, and identifying information are correct and consistent. 🚩 Red Flags to Watch For: 👉 Rushed processes or unexpected communication. 👉 Outdated references to immigration policies (e.g., incorrect salary bands or Shortage Occupation List details). 👉 Salary inconsistencies, such as a “new entrant” salary for an experienced role. Protect Yourself: Always verify your potential employer’s sponsor licence status through the UK government’s register of licensed sponsors before moving forward. At MAK25 London, we’ve helped countless skilled workers avoid scams and navigate their UK work visa journey with confidence. 📧 Email: aamil@mak25.co.uk 📲 WhatsApp: 07823733189 Your dream job in the UK is possible—stay informed, stay protected.

Ever wonder what really happened to those 250 job applications that ghosted you? You're not alone. I spent the last month tracking companies that posted "We're hiring!" on LinkedIn. What I discovered made me angry. Four in 10 companies posting job openings have ZERO intention of hiring. Not eventually. Not maybe. Never. Last week, I spoke with a client (a product manager on H-1B) who'd been interviewing for 4 months. She'd made it to the final rounds six times. Each time, radio silence. She started digging. Three of those companies never removed the posting. One reposted it monthly for a year. On Greenhouse alone, 18-22% of job listings are fake. And surprisingly, 85% of companies with fake jobs still interviewed candidates. Think about that. Real people taking time off work. Buying new interview clothes. Practicing with friends. Dreaming about finally leaving their toxic job. International candidates burning through their 60-day grace period. All for a role that was never real. Why this deception? Companies want their overworked teams to think relief is coming. They want competitors to think they're growing. They want to collect resumes "just in case." Some even want current employees to feel replaceable. A fear tactic disguised as opportunity. Seven in 10 hiring managers believe posting fake jobs is morally acceptable. So how do you protect yourself? Red flags I've identified: - Requirements so vague they could fit anyone (or no one) - Posted 60+ days ago but still "actively recruiting" - No salary range in pay-transparent states - Identical role reposted every few weeks - Zero response after multiple follow-ups -"Sponsorship available" but no recent USCIS filings How you can stay ahead of the curve: -Message employees at the company. Ask if they know anyone in that role -Look for the job on the company's actual careers page -Track reposting patterns using LinkedIn's date filters -Check if the hiring manager's title even exists -For H-1B seekers: verify actual sponsorship history through USCIS data This is personal for me. Scale.jobs exists because I've been there. Sending applications into the void, wondering if anyone even read them. Now we verify every single job before our assistants apply. Your hope isn't something to be toyed with. The job market is hard enough without phantom positions. Especially when your visa clock is ticking. I put together a list of the top H-1B sponsoring companies that actually hire, including lesser-known names that sponsor more visas than Google but most candidates sleep on. Direct links to their career pages. No recruiter walls. For the full list: 1. Go to my profile and hit follow for US job market and visa updates 2. Comment "H1B" on this post 3. I'll DM you the resource within 24 hours

"Pete, how would I know if my job offer is a scam?" Many students are graduating soon and due to market conditions the number of scam have increased. *Most Important Red Flag* You can't change the domain of an email - Where most students get fooled. When my students get an offer, and my spidey sense starts going off (Peter pun); I'll ask for the email thread of the offer to see the email's domain. Why? Real emails will typically look like name@company.com. Scams will look like name@careers.company.com (most popular style) When you buy a website and make an email you can't change the domain (the right side of the @ ). Furthermore, you should also google or check linkedin if the person is actually working for the company, as a confirmation. *Other Red Flags* 1. No interview or one short interview leads to an offer - Typically comes with a high hourly salary to try and collect sensitive personally identifiable information (PII). 2. Company sends you a check but overpays; asking you to pay it back the delta. - This tactic takes advantage of lead time of cashing a check and asking you to pay by a faster method (gift card, wire, credit etc). Goal is to make the difference before the check bounces. 3. Immigration and Visa Scam - Company promises visa sponsorship but demands upfront fees. Possible to also ask for lawyer fees to be wired to personal accounts. Goal is to take advantage of international students with low days left on OPT to cash in and disappear. These are the more popular strategies I see scammers use in my 6 years of coaching. Sadly, I had one student who was affected by one of these but it was because she didn't let me know prior. Plus 5XP, we take this very seriously and I hope this helps some of you. Cheers, Pete #jobsearch #gethired #scam

Not every “visa-sponsoring employer” is real, and falling for the wrong one can cost you money, time, and even your immigration record. Here are the top warning signs every international job seeker must watch out for. 1. No Clear Mention of Visa Sponsorship If a job welcomes “international applicants” but never states sponsorship, it is usually fake. 2. Asking You to Pay for the Visa U.S. employers NEVER ask candidates to pay H-1B or other filing fees. 3. Unrealistic Job Requirements When a junior role demands 8+ years of experience or 10 skillsets, it is a bait post. 4. No Company Website or Online Presence If there’s no LinkedIn page, reviews, or real footprint - proceed with caution. 5. Recruiters Contacting from Personal Emails Gmail/Yahoo emails = a major red flag for sponsorship-related hiring. 6. Guaranteed Visa Sponsorship Claims No company can “guarantee” H-1B lottery selection, ever. 7. Suspiciously High Salaries for Entry Roles Above-market salaries often mean fraudulent or misleading listings. 8. Vague Job Descriptions If responsibilities are unclear or overly broad, the job may not be legitimate. 9. No Interview Process Companies that “hire instantly” or skip interviews are almost always fake. 10. Asking for Personal Documents Early Passport copies, visas, bank statements, or SSN before an offer = unsafe. 11. Poor Glassdoor/Indeed Ratings Reviews mentioning exploitation, bad culture, or fake sponsorship promises are a warning. 12. “Consultancy” Firms That Bench Employees Companies that promise H-1B but keep workers unpaid until a project appears, extremely high risk. Scams target immigrants because they know you’re eager, hopeful, and determined. Stay sharp. Do your research. And trust only verified employers and recruiters. Want to learn more about O1, EB1A and EB5? Schedule a free consultation - https://lnkd.in/euhSSjAZ Join our Open Atlas community for daily visa-friendly job drops - https://lnkd.in/e2_2gdxW Get your EB5 Green Card process started and secure your EAD in 90 days! Join the webinar - https://luma.com/nikin-eb5 🔔 Follow to stay updated on high-skilled immigration, jobs, and business Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Not legal advice. #H1B #ImmigrationJourney #GreenCard #EB1A #EB5 #USImmigration

PSA: Immigration & Job Offer Scams ⚠️ If a job overseas promises guaranteed sponsorship, fast visas, or sounds too good to be true; it probably is. Please note: Recruitment agencies cannot provide visa sponsorship. Sponsorship comes from the employer and only from licensed companies. Agencies may recruit, but they cannot sell or guarantee visas. 🚩 Red flags: Upfront fees to “register” or sign up Guaranteed jobs, visas and/or sponsorship Pressure to pay quickly No legitimate recruitment agency should ever charge a fee just to join or be considered for a role. In many countries, this is illegal. Immigration is complex, expensive, and highly regulated. Anyone promising an easy shortcut is putting you at risk financially and legally. #sponsorship #visas #scam #recruitment #careersinireland