In 2025, Pakistan experienced an unprecedented surge in the number of students and job seekers aspiring to move abroad. The demand for international education and employment opportunities is immense. Yet, alongside this legitimate ambition, an alarming rise in unregulated and fraudulent visa consultancies has emerged. This issue has become a critical public concern. Citizens are facing significant financial losses due to scams and exploitative practices.
As a Volunteer of the Volunteers Leading Governance (VLG) initiative, I have seen many cases of exploitation. There are instances of misinformation and unethical practices by so-called “consultants” operating across major cities of Pakistan. These issues are not isolated; they show a growing pattern of systemic negligence and regulatory oversight.

The Dark Side of Visa Consultancy in Pakistan:

A huge number of agencies and self-proclaimed consultants in Pakistan are neither competent nor qualified. Many consultancies in major urban centers run without proper registration or verifiable licensing. Within my own circle, several friends have fallen victim to such scams.

A common example involves social media pages that look legitimate and professional. They use trained attendants. These attendants communicate fluently and convincingly. They ask applicants to share sensitive documents like passports, bank statements, and family details. After submitting the documents, the representatives disappear. They block the victims and erase their pages. This puts personal data at immense risk. This points to a critical lack of digital surveillance, data protection laws, and accountability for online commercial activity.

Furthermore, several so-called consultants lack even basic knowledge of immigration or higher education procedures. Their only skill is smooth communication and false promises. They charge excessively high fees, like “bonded money” or “guaranteed visa” fees. Often, there is no pricing transparency or formal documentation. This practice traps students from poor and middle-class backgrounds in cycles of debt.

There is also a monopolized culture among many agencies. They actively discourage applicants from exploring scholarships or direct applications. They make sure that clients stay dependent on them. This not only limits opportunities but also results in spoiled visa files, financial loss, and emotional distress.

During a recent visit to multiple agencies with a mate, I noticed a worrying trend. Many offices were set up with a few tables and chairs. They had no trained staff, no verified license, and no qualified counselor. Yet, these offices were handling the sensitive data and documents of hundreds of applicants. This demonstrated a total absence of operational transparency. There were no data protection protocols.

Government Efforts and Digital Reforms:

To be fair, the Government of Pakistan has taken commendable steps to regulate overseas employment. They did this through the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BEOE). The official website includes a verified “List of Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs)”. This list displays License Number, Proprietor Name, License Title, Status, and Expiry Date. It also shows Head Office and Branch Details. https://beoe.gov.pk/list-ofoeps This is a strong foundation, but the same model needs to be expanded to education and visa consultancies.

The Government of Punjab, under the leadership of the Madam Chief Minister, has already digitized many systems. These systems include:

• eBiz Punjab (business facilitation portal)
• Housing Societies Verification System
• Registry of Deeds (ROD) Portal
• PULSE Punjab Governance Dashboard

These examples show that digital governance can reduce fraud and increase transparency when implemented effectively.

My Proposed Solution: A Unified “Visa Consultancy Verification Portal” with Central Accountability

Pakistan urgently needs a centralized digital portal. This is necessary to protect the rights of students and job seekers. The portal should cater to visa and study consultancies. The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, and BEOE must jointly supervise the development of this system.

I am a firm proponent of decentralized governance systems. Nonetheless, when it comes to critical national issues like regulating consultancies, some elements must be non-negotiable. Surveillance, transparency, and centralized verification of credentials are essential. I think a decentralized system with central accountability works best. This model empowers multiple accrediting bodies. It allows for decentralization. At the same time, it ensures all data and enforcement actions are managed through a single, authoritative state portal. This provides central accountability.

The proposed portal should have the following features:

1. Mandatory National Registry & Verified Consultant Database: Every consultancy
   must be listed with a government-issued license number. The license must also include status and expiry date.
   This creates a single source of truth.
2. Competency Certification & Mandatory Code of Conduct: Consultants must pass
   standardized training and exams. This initiative can be modeled on the successful
   teacher certification reforms championed by Sir Rana Sikandar Hayat. They must also
   legally adhere to a strict Code of Conduct, with clear penalties for violations like
   misinformation or non-transparency.
3. Transparent Pricing Structure: Consultancies are required by law to declare their service charges publicly on the portal. This measure prevents overpricing and hidden fees. Discounted prices
   by On-Panel universities and commissions they are getting (if possible).
4. Public Review, Rating, and Red-Flagging System:Applicants should be able to
   leave original, organic ratings and detailed reviews. The system must allow users
   to “Red-Flag” a consultancy, which triggers an alert for regulators. These flags must be
   supported by a reason and comments from verifiable, authentic user profiles to
   maintain integrity.
5. Scholarship Guidance Section: Consultants should be mandated to guide students
   about scholarships. They should also inform them about low-cost study opportunities.
   This will break down the information monopoly.
6. Staff Qualification Disclosure: Each agency must disclose the educational background
   and certifications of its counselors on their portal profile.
7. Secure Handling of Sensitive Data:The portal must mandate and audit consultancies
   on their data protection policies. It will ensure secure storage and handling of
   applicants’ sensitive documents and prevent misuse.
8. Real-Time Case Tracking: Applicants should have the ability to track their case progress. They should use an online dashboard. This reduces opportunities for miscommunication and delay.

Such a system will protect the public. It will enhance Pakistan’s reputation internationally. Pakistan will be seen as a country promoting ethical, transparent, and merit-based migration practices.

Final words:

As volunteers of Volunteers Leading Governance, it is our responsibility to raise our voice against fraud and injustice. And to advocate for strong, transparent systems that safeguard the future of our youth. The dream of studying or working abroad should not become a nightmare of deception and loss.

With government support, regulatory reform, and public awareness, Pakistan can establish a credible, digital governance framework for consultancy services. We can ensure every citizen’s aspiration is guided with honesty and professionalism. This is achievable by adopting a model of decentralized operations underpinned by central accountability. Additionally, enforcing a strict Code of Conduct, secure data handling, and a community-driven red-flagging system encourage unwavering accountability.

Written By: Ehtisham Ul Haq