One of the simplest ways to avoid an overseas job scam is confirming, in advance, that the party asking for your documents or money actually holds a valid Recruiting Agent (RA) licence where one is legally required. This takes a few minutes and can save significant money and stress.
Why this matters
Under the Emigration Act, 1983, recruitment for overseas employment in regulated categories must be carried out by a licensed Recruiting Agent. An unlicensed party handling this step — regardless of how professional they appear — is operating outside the law, and candidates dealing with them have far less protection if something goes wrong.
How to check
- Ask directly for the RA registration number and the name it is registered under.
- Cross-check the number against the official emigration authority's published list or portal.
- Confirm the registration is current — licences can expire, be suspended, or be cancelled.
- Verify the office address matches what is publicly listed, not just what is printed on a business card.
Red flags to watch for
- Reluctance or delay in sharing a registration number when asked directly
- Pressure to pay before any documentation is shown
- A registration number that doesn't match the entity name you're dealing with
Where this fits into a broader check
Licence verification is one part of a wider check — alongside confirming the employer's own legitimacy and reading the contract terms carefully. No single check is a complete guarantee, but skipping this one is one of the most common ways candidates end up in a fraudulent process.