Information only · Reviewed September 2026
UAE Recruitment Agencies – How They Work, Fees & Verification
How licensed recruitment works for jobs in Dubai and the wider UAE, what agencies are legally allowed to charge, and how to verify any agency before you pay anyone.
Information and enquiry page only. This is not a live jobs board. No current vacancy, sponsorship, job offer, visa or approval is confirmed or guaranteed. Employer eligibility, MOHRE approval and UAE immigration rules apply. Friendship Immigration provides administrative and documentation support — not legal advice.
ਇਹ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਵਾਲਾ ਪੇਜ ਹੈ — ਕੋਈ ਨੌਕਰੀ, ਵੀਜ਼ਾ ਜਾਂ ਮਨਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਦੀ ਗਾਰੰਟੀ ਨਹੀਂ। ਕੋਈ ਵੀ ਪੈਸੇ ਦੇਣ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਏਜੰਸੀ ਦਾ ਲਾਇਸੰਸ ਖੁਦ ਜਾਂਚੋ।
Workvantage International & Horizon Recruitment — important clarification
Candidates often ask us about Workvantage International and Horizon Recruitment after seeing them mentioned online. To be clear:
- Both are Canadian recruitment agencies. Workvantage focuses on blue-collar Canadian roles (agriculture, food processing, construction, hospitality); Horizon focuses on professional roles (finance, supply chain, accounting, management). Neither recruits for jobs in the UAE.
- Friendship Immigration has no partnership, agreement or affiliation with either agency. We describe them for awareness only.
- We do not publish their fees — we do not have verified figures, and agency fees change. If you deal with any agency, demand its fees and licence details in writing before paying anything.
- For Canada, immigration advice must come from a consultant you can verify in the CICC public register. For the UAE, the equivalent check is MOHRE (see below) — CICC does not regulate UAE recruitment.
UAE recruitment rules — what the law says
- Workers cannot be charged recruitment fees. Under UAE labour rules administered by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), recruitment and employment costs are the employer's responsibility. An agency or agent demanding a “job fee”, “visa fee” or “security deposit” from you is a red flag.UAE ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਭਰਤੀ ਦੀ ਫੀਸ ਮਾਲਕ ਦੇ ਸਿਰ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ — ਵਰਕਰ ਤੋਂ ਭਰਤੀ ਦੀ ਫੀਸ ਨਹੀਂ ਲਈ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੀ।
- Recruitment agencies operating in the UAE must be licensed by MOHRE. You can verify an agency or a job offer through MOHRE's official channels before paying or signing anything.
- A UAE work permit is employer-sponsored: the employer applies for your work permit and entry permit; you cannot apply on your own behalf.
- You should receive a written offer letter and contract (in Arabic and a language you understand) before travelling. Keep copies of everything.
Canada vs UAE — who checks what
| Question | Canada | UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Who regulates immigration advice? | CICC (verify in the public register) | Not applicable — UAE permits are employer-led |
| Who licenses recruiters? | Provincial recruiter licences (varies by province) | MOHRE licence required |
| Can a worker be charged recruitment fees? | No in most provinces; never for an LMIA or a job offer | No — recruitment costs are the employer's responsibility |
| Where to verify | CICC register, Job Bank | MOHRE enquiry services |
Fees — what is legitimate
- Recruitment fee from the worker: not permitted in the UAE (and never for a Canadian LMIA or job offer).
- Legitimate costs you may pay yourself are limited to things like your own document preparation, attestation, medical test or our own clearly disclosed administrative service fee (₹2,500, always in writing before you pay).
- If any agency — here or abroad — quotes you a price, get the exact amount, what it covers and the refund terms in writing before paying.
Warnings — ਸਾਵਧਾਨੀ
- Never pay for a job or visa. No genuine UAE employer or licensed recruiter charges candidates a job fee, visa fee or deposit.ਨੌਕਰੀ ਜਾਂ ਵੀਜ਼ੇ ਲਈ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਪੈਸੇ ਨਾ ਦਿਓ — ਇਹ UAE ਵਿੱਚ ਗ਼ੈਰ-ਕਾਨੂੰਨੀ ਹੈ।
- Visit-visa work offers are illegal. You cannot work in the UAE on a visit or tourist visa.
- Verify before you trust. Check the agency's MOHRE licence and the job offer directly through official channels — not through screenshots or WhatsApp forwards.
- Keep your passport. No employer or agent may hold your passport against your will.
Official sources
- MOHRE — Enquiry services (verify agencies & offers)
- MOHRE — Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
- UAE Government portal — Employment in the private sector
- ESDC — Hiring foreign workers / LMIA (Canada)
- CICC — Find an immigration consultant (Canada)
Last reviewed: September 2026.
Talk to us — ਸੰਪਰਕ
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Share a few details about your profile and job offer. A licensed advisor will assess your eligibility for the uae recruitment agencies — enquiry and outline the next steps.
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