How do I check if a nurse recruitment agency is genuine? You cannot tell from a smart website, a friendly voice on WhatsApp or a long list of "success stories". You tell by checking papers, in a set order, before any money moves. This post gives you eight checks and eight warning signs, taken from the guidance we use in our red-flags checklist.
This is general information, not legal advice. B&M does not place nurses abroad and cannot verify an employer or an agent for you. The guidance below was last read against the official sources on 9 October 2026, and this post was updated on 28 October 2026. Rules and amounts change, so check the official source before you rely on any figure.
Next step
Open the free red-flags checklist
Eight checks to run before you pay, resign or travel. Print it, tick it off and share it with your family.
The eight checks, in order
- Ask for the registration, then look it up yourself. For India, ask for the original Registration Certificate issued by the Protector General of Emigrants and check it on the eMigrate portal. Do not deal with sub-agents. In the Philippines, look the agency up in the directory of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and check that its licence shows as valid.
- See the paperwork before you pay. Ask for the Demand Letter and the Power of Attorney from the foreign employer, and read the contract. Pay by demand draft or cheque and take a receipt.
- Know the fee cap. India's Ministry of External Affairs says an agent's service charge cannot be more than ₹20,000 per emigrant. If you are asked for more, stop and ask why.
- Verify the job offer itself. In the UAE, private-sector offers use the MOHRE-approved job offer form with a serial number and barcode. Elsewhere, confirm the employer through official channels before you resign or travel.
- Start your licence with the regulator yourself. Every destination has an official regulator. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, for example, says its Self-check cannot be completed by a third party or agent on your behalf.
- Check the visa category. The visa should match the category you were recruited for. India's Ministry of External Affairs treats being told to go on a tourist visa and "convert" it later as grounds for a complaint.
- Check whether emigration clearance applies. ECR passport holders and nurses travelling for work to the 18 designated countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, must obtain clearance through eMigrate. Check with your Protector of Emigrants before you travel.
- Keep your passport and copies of everything. Never hand your passport over. Photocopy every page, carry a copy of your signed contract in English and do not sign blank papers or papers you cannot read.
Eight warning signs
- An agent who cannot show a valid registration. If you cannot find them on eMigrate or in the DMW list, stop.
- Payment requested before any paperwork
- A fee above the cap
- "Come on a visit visa, we will convert it"
- Your passport is taken
- Offers that arrive only through social media
- Pressure to resign or to decide today
- An agent offering to complete your registration for you
One case shows why this matters. According to allegations reported by India Today on 2 October 2026, a nurse from Ranchi paid an agent ₹15,000 after seeing a job advertisement on social media, and on arrival in the UAE her passport was allegedly taken. Those are allegations reported by the paper, and we mention them only to show how an offer that looks real can start.
A five-minute test you can do tonight
- Write down the agent's full name, the company name and the registration number they gave you.
- Look the registration up yourself on eMigrate (India) or in the DMW directory (Philippines). Do not use a link or screenshot the agent sends.
- Ask for the demand letter and the contract in writing, and ask who the employer is.
- Ask what the fee is for, what it totals and how you pay. Compare it with the ₹20,000 cap.
- Tell a family member everything. If the agent says to keep it secret, that is a warning sign in itself.
If any step fails, pause. A genuine agent will not mind you checking.
What the regulator's side looks like
Even with a genuine agent, the licence is yours to earn, with the destination's own regulator. Our nurse eligibility checklist comparison shows who decides in Germany, the Gulf, Australia and New Zealand, and the country-fit checker shows which destinations suit your profile today. If an agent tells you a step is "not needed", ask the regulator, not the agent.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a nurse recruitment agency is genuine?
Ask for the original Registration Certificate from the Protector General of Emigrants and look the agency up yourself on the eMigrate portal. For the Philippines, use the DMW directory and check that the licence shows as valid. Then ask for the demand letter, the power of attorney and the contract before you pay anything. Check the official source rather than trusting what the agent sends you.
How much can a recruitment agent charge?
India's Ministry of External Affairs says an agent's service charge cannot be more than ₹20,000 per emigrant. Amounts and rules can change, so check the current guidance on the official source before you pay.
Should I pay before I see the contract?
No. See the demand letter and the contract first. Pay by demand draft or cheque and keep a receipt.
Can an agent do my licence application for me?
Be careful. Some regulators say the first step must be done by you. Australia's Board says its Self-check cannot be completed by a third party or agent on your behalf.
Should I give my passport to an agent?
No. Never hand over your passport. Keep photocopies of every page, and do not sign blank papers or papers you cannot read.
Can B&M check an agent or an employer for me?
No. B&M cannot verify an employer or an agent for you, and nobody should skip the official check. We can walk you through the checks on WhatsApp if you have an offer you are unsure about.
General information only, not legal or immigration advice. Confirm every step with the official source.