Trust and safety
Protect yourself before money or documents change hands.
Fake jobs, false sponsorship promises and job for fee schemes target international workers. Use the checks below before you pay, sign or share sensitive documents.
GTN does not sell jobs, sponsorship or immigration advice.
Treat these situations as immediate warning signs
01 Warning signs
Stop when the situation does not make sense.
A suspicious payment request or unverifiable employer is a reason to verify the situation before continuing.
You are asked to pay for sponsorship
A genuine employer should not sell you a Certificate of Sponsorship or charge you a fee for being sponsored.
You are promised a guaranteed visa
No recruiter, employer or adviser can guarantee a visa decision.
You are rushed to pay quickly
Be careful if someone asks for urgent payment by cash, money transfer, crypto or a personal bank account.
The employer cannot be verified
Check the employer name against the Home Office sponsor register and make sure the details match.
The adviser is not regulated
Immigration advice in the UK must come from an IAA registered adviser or a qualified legal professional.
You are asked to send original documents
Do not hand over original passports, certificates or identity documents to anyone you cannot verify.
02 Before you apply
Run the same checks every time.
A consistent checking process makes it easier to spot a vacancy, employer or payment request that deserves more scrutiny.
Check 01
Check the employer on the sponsor register
Check 02
Check the job title, salary and occupation code
Check 03
Check whether the vacancy really offers sponsorship
Check 04
Check any adviser on the IAA register
Check 05
Never pay for a guaranteed job or visa
Check 06
Keep copies of messages, receipts and job adverts
03 If you were targeted
Preserve the evidence and use official reporting routes.
Stop payment if possible
If you have been asked to pay, do not send money. If you already paid, contact your bank or card provider immediately.
Save the evidence
Keep the advert, messages, names, payment requests and receipts so you have a clear record.
Report the scam
Use the relevant official reporting route for immigration and visa scams.
Verify the adviser
Check that anyone giving immigration advice is properly regulated before you rely on them.
Search with checks
Check the employer before you trust the offer.
Use sponsor information, salary context and the original vacancy together. GTN does not guarantee employment, sponsorship or a visa.
General information only
GTN is an information and listings service. We are not a recruitment agency and not an immigration adviser.