BEOE issues stern warning against fake travel agents in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The BEOE warning has once again reminded Pakistanis not to trust private travel agents who claim they can arrange overseas work visas.

The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment said this agent has no legal role in foreign job placement and should never receive money for visa or job processing.

Recruitment of Pakistani workers can only be made through licensed Overseas Employment Promoters, whose status can be checked online from the official directory of the bureau.

The bureau also took up the growing confusion about so-called Azad visas. Officials clarified that no country offers a visa for completely free employment.

Every valid working visa is associated with one employer, or sponsor, and workers must remain with that sponsor unless receiving official approval to change jobs.

The advisory said that switching employers without permission may result in fines, deportation, or loss of legal rights. The bureau likewise added that in the case of an accident at the workplace, only the sponsoring employer is responsible for support or compensation.

Any earning made outside an authorized job contract is deemed illegal work. The authorities called on jobseekers to be watchful as so-called offers of open, free, or transferable visas are just ploys used to hoodwink the public.