UAE ministry issues warning against fake job offers targeting Emiratis and expats

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has issued a stern warning against fraudulent job offers circulating on social media platforms and suspicious, fake websites. These scams primarily target young Emirati nationals seeking employment in the private sector.

According to the Ministry, these platforms impersonate legitimate recruitment agencies and deceitfully request payments in exchange for processing employment procedures. Victims often discover too late that these offers are fake, leaving them defrauded and jobless.

MoHRE emphasised that job seekers — whether residing in the UAE or abroad — must only accept job offers from verified employers using the Ministry’s official job offer template. This template is linked to the Ministry’s approved employment contract and includes a unique serial number (barcode) that allows for verification of authenticity.

MoHRE clarified on its official website that, before any employment relationship is established, the job seeker must receive an official offer from the employer using the Ministry’s standard contract template. The employment contract must match the details of the job offer when applying for a work permit.

The Ministry added that while employers may offer additional benefits beyond those stated in the job offer, any supplementary documents must not conflict with UAE labor laws, executive regulations, or ministerial resolutions.

Approved job offers carry a barcode that enables verification through MoHRE’s call center (600590000), official website, or mobile app.

MoHRE also stressed the importance of including clear employment details in the offer, such as:

According to the Ministry’s website, the following documents are required to issue a job offer:

For job seekers located outside the UAE, the employer must send the job offer before submitting a preliminary work permit application.

MoHRE reaffirmed its commitment to protecting job seekers’ rights. Ministerial Decree No. 46 of 2022 requires that all employment agreements be based on the Ministry’s standardized templates, which are available on its official website.

Employers must use these templates when applying for a work permit. While they may offer additional benefits, these must still comply with UAE labor laws.

If an employer hires a worker without first obtaining a valid work permit, the employer is fully responsible for the worker’s rights and entitlements. MoHRE reiterated its role in resolving labor disputes and ensuring full payment of entitlements. If no resolution is reached, the case is referred to the courts. Both the worker and employer remain legally accountable for any unauthorized employment.

The official UAE government portal has also warned foreign nationals seeking to work, visit, invest, or reside in the country about scams involving fake job offers and entry visas.

It stressed that job offers must be issued through MoHRE and must bear the authorized employer’s signature. Job seekers can verify job offer validity using the offer number on the MoHRE website under the "Application Status" section.

The portal further clarified that after signing a job offer, the employer must issue an official work entry permit, not a tourist or visit visa. Entering the UAE on a tourist or visit visa for work is illegal and may result in fines and legal action.

Under UAE labor law, all recruitment costs must be covered by the employer. Job seekers are advised to verify the legal status of companies via the National Economic Register, available in both Arabic and English.

For entry permits issued in Dubai, authenticity can be checked through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs website. Permits issued in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, or Fujairah can be verified through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security’s eChannels platform.

The UAE government urges all job seekers — especially Emirati nationals and foreign applicants — to exercise extreme caution and verify all job offers through official channels to avoid falling victim to recruitment fraud.