ISLAMABAD: The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE) has warned applicants about possible trade test centre visa fraud. It said these centres lack legal authority to offer overseas jobs or employment visas.
BEOE cautioned that promises of available visas or arrangements to send workers abroad could indicate fraud. Trade test centres assess skills; they do not act as recruitment agencies.
Their role begins after a licensed Overseas Employment Promoter (OEP) starts the legal recruitment process. Under an OEP’s supervision or arrangements, centres can conduct practical and technical assessments and issue test results.
They cannot advertise foreign jobs or visas, guarantee either, independently send workers abroad or collect unauthorised recruitment fees.
For private-sector overseas employment, BEOE said a licensed OEP must obtain approval from the relevant Protector of Emigrants before advertising. Each advertisement must display a valid permission or tracking number.
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Applicants can use that number to verify the employer, destination country, job title, vacancies, salary and other employment conditions.
On documents and payments, the bureau advised applicants to show original passports only for identification, without leaving them permanently at centres. Applicants should pay only clearly specified, verifiable official fees and obtain receipts for every payment.
BEOE urged them to avoid transfers to personal bank accounts or mobile wallets.
It advised applicants to immediately complain to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) about centres demanding money for visas or overseas employment.
(With input from ARY News)