Every week, people lose money to “visa sponsorship” offers that don’t exist. The good news is that most fake offers can be spotted in a few minutes, using free official tools.
1. Check the employer is allowed to sponsor
UK: every employer that can sponsor a work visa is listed on the government’s register of licensed sponsors. If the company isn’t on it, it can’t give you a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa.
UK sponsors must also pay their own Immigration Skills Charge. GOV.UK warns that a sponsor’s licence may be revoked if it asks the worker to pay it or any costs linked to the application.
Canada: anyone you pay for immigration advice must be licensed. IRCC explains how to check on its fraud and scams page.
2. Warning signs
- You’re asked to pay for the job offer, the certificate of sponsorship or a “work permit slot”.
- The offer arrived without an interview, or after a short WhatsApp chat.
- The salary is far above what the job normally pays.
- The email comes from a free address (such as Gmail) rather than the company’s domain.
- You’re pushed to pay quickly “before the slot is gone”.
- The route doesn’t exist any more. For example, the UK care worker visa closed to overseas applicants in July 2025.
3. Check the school, if you’re studying
For Canada, your school must be a designated learning institution (DLI). For the UK, it must be a licensed student sponsor. Check before you pay a deposit.
4. Pay official fees to official places only
Visa fees are paid to the government, usually online through its official site or visa centre. Test fees are paid to the British Council, IDP or the test provider. If someone asks you to pay these through a personal bank account, stop.
5. Use the official pages
Each guide on AbroadPath links to the official page for that scholarship or visa. Use those links to check any offer you’re sent.
Start with our guides to the UK Skilled Worker visa, the Germany Opportunity Card and nursing in the UK and Ireland.