Numerous complaints received from expatriate Indians
Do not blindly trust advertisements on social media.
Abu Dhabi: The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has issued a warning to expatriates, urging them to remain vigilant against visa and migration scams.
The Embassy has advised people to exercise extreme caution when making payments to agencies operating outside India. It has also warned against blindly trusting advertisements on social media and encouraged individuals to contact the embassy of the country to which they intend to migrate.
The warning was issued jointly by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai following an increasing number of complaints and reports related to visa and migration fraud.
The Embassy and Consulate confirmed that they have been receiving numerous complaints from expatriate Indians regarding such scams. They cautioned people against trusting advertisements and promotional campaigns conducted by private visa and migration agencies through social media platforms.
Special attention should be given to agencies operating outside India, including those based in the UAE.
Individuals seeking visas should verify the required documents, application procedures, and conditions for obtaining employment or residence visas directly with the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
Expatriates may also approach the relevant embassies or consulates in their country of residence to obtain accurate information and guidance.
The Embassy specifically warned people not to pay money to anyone who guarantees visa approval. The decision to issue or reject a visa rests solely with the government of the destination country.
The Indian Embassy further advised individuals not to place complete trust in intermediaries or recruitment agents and to verify information through the official websites of the respective embassies.
To raise awareness among the Malayali community, the Indian Embassy and Consulate in the UAE have also issued an official advisory in Malayalam.
Key Takeaways
- Be cautious of visa and immigration agents, especially those advertising on social media.
- Do not pay agents who promise guaranteed visas.
- Verify visa requirements and procedures directly with the relevant embassy or consulate.
- Use official government and embassy websites for reliable information.
- Remember that only the destination country’s authorities can approve or reject visa applications.
