Planning to relocate can be exciting, until someone shows up with a “guaranteed visa” and a payment deadline. With so many people looking for opportunities abroad, it’s important to be careful about who you trust with your money, passport and personal documents.

Here are a few red flags to watch out for:

1: “100% guaranteed visa”- Nobody can honestly guarantee that an immigration authority will approve your application.

2: Pressure to pay immediately - Be cautious when someone is rushing you to make payment before you’ve properly verified the offer.

3: No clear paperwork - Legitimate opportunities should come with documents you can independently verify.

4: Requests for payment into a personal account - This should make you pause and investigate further.

5: Too good to be true - A huge salary, free accommodation and an instant visa with almost no requirements? Take a step back and verify everything.

6: Refusal to let you verify information yourself - Always be able to check the opportunity through the relevant official source

Before handing over your money or documents, do your own research. Don't rely solely on screenshots, WhatsApp messages or testimonials.

Have you ever come across a relocation offer that looked suspicious?

Join the Japa Terminal for more relocation discussions, opportunities and useful information: https://www.ourpalaver.com