Electronic Travel authority (ETA) and Visitor visa work scams!
An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or any Visitor/ Tourist Visa is not a work visa. You are not allowed to work in Australia, Canada, USA, UK, SCHENGEN or any Countries in the World at all on an ETA or Visitor Visa. If someone says you can work on an ETA or a Visitor Visa, they are lying to you. Every countries Immigration Department and Home Office is aware of individuals and agents who are attempting to organize ETAs/ Visitor Visas and flights to different countries like Australia, Canada, USA, UK, SCHENGEN or any Countries in the World for people to work illegally.
Don’t get caught in a visa scam
ETA and Visitor/ Tourist Visa holders do not have any work rights.
Don’t risk it
You can be stopped before boarding your flight or refused entry to Australia by the Australian Border Force if you are coming to Australia to work illegally.
The Australian Border Force is identifying and refusing entry to people every day who are attempting to come to Australia to work illegally.
What you need to know?
Be aware that you may be being scammed if:
the advertisement lists only a first name and number
the employer or agent demands that you pay them a large upfront amount of cash for an ETA or a Visitor visa
you are told to get an ETA or Visitor visa for work
you are told to set up a company and to apply for an Business Number (BN) in order to work
the agent organises fake documents and photographs
the agent will only provide you with a handwritten contract or handwritten agreement
you are promised permanent residence in
the employer or agent uses the different country’s official or govt. logo or coat of arms on their website to deceive people into thinking that what they are offering is approved by the respected country’s Government
you are told you will be paid in cash only
you are told you won’t be required to get an Tax File Number (TFN)
the employer or agent does not have an BN
you are offered a rate of pay below the minimum wage, which all foreign workers are entitled to.
Be aware of fake migration agents. In Bangladesh or any country’s in world migration agents need to be registered with the Proper Authority and should have valid Business/ Trade License, Official Bank Account or Bank Account Under Business Name, Valid Website, Email and Business Listed by Google.
If you choose to engage in visa fraud and do not go through official channels to apply for an ETA or Visitor/ Tourist Visa, you risk:
losing any upfront cash that you have paid to the agent
having your ETA or Visitor visa refused or cancelled
having your visa refused and being excluded from obtaining a further visa for up to 10 years (depend on country)
not being permitted on the flight to the country
being refused entry to the country at the border by the Border Force
being stranded at on airport or city
being exposed to forced or slave labour
not being paid at all by the employer or agent
being located and detained by the Border Force and removed from the country
going home with far less money than when you arrived.
In order to protect yourself from visa scams, you should only deal with official Government channels such as the departmental website, reputable travel agents, Visa Application Centres, or the designated country’s High Commission or Embassy in your country.
Ready to report?
If you are aware of, or suspect a scam in relation to Australia, Canada, USA, UK, SCHENGEN or any other Countries visas please report this to designated country’s Border Watch or Home Office or Immigration Department immediately through online or email or phone call to their Embassy, High Commission or Consulate Office which is near to you.
