How do I check if a manpower company is legit?

Check before you pay

1. Is the agency licensed? Under the Foreign Employment Act only licensed agencies can recruit workers for jobs abroad. The Department of Foreign Employment publishes the list. Check the name and the licence number, because scammers copy real agency names.
2. Is the job approved? Agencies have to get each foreign employer's demand approved before they recruit for it. Ask to see the approval and check it with the department.
3. Get a receipt for every payment. Official fees are fixed and come with a receipt. Cash with no receipt is the clearest warning sign there is.
4. Don't fly without a labour permit. If you go to work abroad on a visit or tourist visa you lose the legal protection, insurance and complaint options the permit gives you.

Warning signs

• They want money before they show you a demand letter or approval.
• They tell you to fly on a visit visa and "change it there".
• The office is a café, someone's house or just a phone number.
• They say the contract or documents will "be sorted later".

If it's already gone wrong

File a complaint with the Department of Foreign Employment in Kathmandu and keep every receipt, message and document. Report the fraud to the Nepal Police as well.