How to avoid Dubai visa scams and unsafe providers

Red flags

• Claims of guaranteed approval or guaranteed entry.
• Pressure to pay immediately by transfer, crypto or a personal account.
• No legal business name, address, terms, privacy notice or refund conditions.
• A domain that imitates an authority or hides that it is a commercial intermediary.
• Requests for passport scans through unsecured chats or unrelated forms.
• One unexplained total with no visa type, government fee or provider fee breakdown.
• A “status checker” that cannot identify the issuing authority.

Before sending money or documents

1. Confirm whether an official authority, airline, hotel, licensed travel agent or sponsor can handle your route.
2. Type the official domain yourself and compare its instructions.
3. Request the legal provider name, licence details, exact product and all-inclusive price.
4. Read cancellation, refusal and refund treatment before paying.
5. Ask what proof of submission and official reference you will receive.
6. Check how documents are secured, retained and deleted.

If you suspect a problem

Stop sending documents or money, preserve messages and receipts, contact the authority or provider using contact details found independently, and notify the payment provider where appropriate. If identity documents were exposed, seek guidance from the passport issuer and relevant authorities.

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