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Never pay for a job

A real employer pays to recruit you. Fake recruiters ask for a “processing” or “visa” fee and disappear. In the countries below the law puts recruitment costs on the employer, and we quote it.

This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; the linked official text is the authority. Sources checked 25 October 2026.

The law by country

6 red flags of a recruitment scam

Each country page ties these to its own law.

  1. A “processing” or “placement” fee to secure the job

    Paying a recruiter or employer for a job offer or for sponsorship is the classic scam. The employer's own recruitment, permit or sponsorship costs can't be passed on to you. Some visa costs are yours, such as a visa application charge; pay those only to the government, on its official website.

  2. Payment to a personal account, a money-transfer app or crypto

    Government fees are paid to the government, on its own website or office. A request to send money to a person, or by gift card or crypto, is a scam.

  3. A job offer without an interview

    Real employers check who they hire: an interview, your registration and references. An offer that arrives straight after you send a CV, or in a group chat, is a warning sign.

  4. Pressure to decide or pay today

    “Only two places left”, “the visa quota closes tonight”. Pressure is there to stop you checking. A real offer survives a day for you to verify the employer.

  5. A recruiter on Gmail, WhatsApp or Telegram only

    Check that the email domain matches the employer's own website and look the employer up yourself. Where the country licenses recruiters, ask for the licence and check it with the regulator.

  6. A request for your original passport or certificates

    Nobody needs your original passport to offer you a job. Share a copy only after you have verified the employer, and keep the originals.