How to Verify If an Immigration Consultant is Genuine in India — 6 Checks (2026)
Six checks you can run in 10 minutes — using free government portals — before trusting any agency with your money or your future.
If you are planning to work abroad, one question matters more than any other: is this agency actually genuine, or just pretending to be one?
The good news is that you do not have to guess. In India, you can verify almost any immigration agency in about ten minutes — using free government portals and a few simple checks.
Is the Agency Registered as a Pvt. Ltd. Company on MCA?
A genuine immigration consultancy should be registered as a Private Limited Company with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). Not a proprietorship. Not a partnership. Not “XYZ Immigration Services” run by one person from a rented desk.
Why It Matters
A Pvt. Ltd. company has directors on record, a registered office, financial accountability, and a public trail. An individual agent has none of these.
How to Verify in 2 Minutes:
- 1 Go to mca.gov.in → MCA Services → View Company/LLP Master Data
- 2 Enter the company name or CIN number in the search bar.
- 3 Confirm the status is “Active” and company class is “Private Limited”.
Real Verification Example — Madhav Immigration Pvt. Ltd.
Govt. VerifiedDoes the Agency Have an Active GSTN With Regular Filings?
Almost every genuine immigration consultancy operating in India is registered under GST. An agency that does not have GST is either:
- Operating below ₹20 lakh turnover: Which means they are very small, essentially a sole person working from home or a single desk.
- Intentionally avoiding registration: To stay off the government and tax radar.
The Filing Check
Having a GST number is not enough — check if they actually file returns. A company that has not filed GST returns for 6 months may be facing cancellation or legal proceedings.
How to Verify in 2 Minutes:
- 1 Go to gst.gov.in → Search Taxpayer → Search by GSTIN/UIN
- 2 Enter the agency’s 15-digit GST number.
- 3 Check: (a) Status is “Active”, (b) Legal name matches the company name, (c) Return filing table shows regular monthly/quarterly filings (GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B).
Real Verification Example — Madhav Immigration Pvt. Ltd.
Active TaxpayerDoes the Incorporation Date Match How Long They Say They Have Been Operating?
One of the common tactics used by fraudulent or fly-by-night immigration agencies is claiming decades of experience on their website, Instagram, and brochures, while being registered only a few months or years ago.
How to Check in 2 Minutes:
- 1 On the MCA result page from Check 1, look at the “Date of Incorporation”.
- 2 Compare that date against the claims on their website, social media, or advertisements.
- 3 If there is a massive gap (e.g., claims 15 years, registered 2 years ago), ask them directly: under what legal entity were you operating before this?
Madhav Immigration Track Record
Verified 12+ YearsThe Truth About Licences — Why an MEA Licence Alone Is Not Enough
Many agencies flash an “MEA RA Licence” (Ministry of External Affairs Recruiting Agent licence) as proof that they are 100% genuine and government-approved.
| Indicator | MEA RA Licence | MCA Registration + GST |
|---|---|---|
| What it proves | Security deposit submitted to MEA | Real, legally incorporated corporate body |
| Financial accountability | Limited to deposit amount | Full company law, audits, MCA disclosure |
| Tax compliance | Not tracked by licence | Visible via GST filing track record |
| Can a fly-by-night agency hold it? | Yes, until cancelled | Harder to fake over years of active filings |
| Our recommendation | Good to have, but verify MCA & GST first | Essential — non-negotiable |
Does the Agency Have Genuine Editorial Media Coverage or Just Paid Social Media?
Do not judge an immigration agency by its Instagram reels, Facebook page, or paid influencer promotions. In 2026, 100k followers can be purchased for a few thousand rupees.
What to Look For (Step-by-Step):
-
1
Search on Google News or target premier business journalism domains directly:Google Search Command:
"[Agency Name]" site:economictimes.indiatimes.com - 2 Look for recognition from established business media (like ET Now, Forbes India, Business Standard) — not obscure self-published PR distribution sites (like ANI press releases or paid sponsored posts with “Brand Connect” labels).
- 3 Check if the awards mentioned on their wall come from recognized institutions with senior government dignitaries presenting them (e.g. Union Ministers presenting national industry awards).
Madhav Immigration Pvt. Ltd. has been covered by ANI, Tribune, Dainik Jagran, ABP, Mid Day and others, and received the Best MSME 2025 National Award — all publicly searchable.
Does the Consultant Promise a “Guaranteed Visa” or “100% Job Placement”?
No immigration consultant on earth can guarantee a visa. Visas are issued solely at the discretion of the destination country’s government / embassy / immigration authorities.
- ✔ Gives you an honest assessment of your chances (even if low)
- ✔ Tells you what documents are missing or weak
- ✔ Explains the risk factors and rejection rates
- ✔ Charges for advisory / document preparation, not the “result”
- ✔ Gives you official government fee receipts
- ✖ Guarantees 100% success rate
- ✖ Says “sab ho jayega, hum dekh lenge”
- ✖ Asks for large cash payments or personal UPI transfer
- ✖ Refuses to share the application reference number
- ✖ Claims to have “inside connections” at embassies
The 10-Point Verification Checklist
A complete checklist to run before transferring any advance fee to an immigration consultancy. Also review our companion Red Flags Checklist to spot fraudulent agents before signing agreements:
mca.gov.in as “Active Private Limited”.gst.gov.in with monthly returns filed.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Direct answers to common questions about verifying immigration agencies in India.
How do I check if an immigration agency is registered in India?
Go to mca.gov.in, open “View Company/LLP Master Data,” and search by company name or CIN. A genuine consultancy appears as an Active Private Limited company. If nothing appears or the status is not active, treat it as a serious warning sign.
Why does GST registration matter for an immigration consultant?
Almost every genuine business in India has GST — even a small kirana store. An immigration agency without GST, or one that does not file returns regularly, is likely operating as an individual pretending to be a company rather than a genuine registered business. Verify at gst.gov.in.
Does an MEA RA licence prove an immigration agency is genuine?
No. The MEA RA licence can be obtained by paying a security deposit and does not prove fair practice. It is also specific to Gulf recruitment. For European or Asian work permits it has no direct relevance. Always verify MCA registration and GST compliance instead.
How can I verify an immigration consultant’s years of experience?
Check the incorporation date on the MCA Portal and cross-reference it with their GST registration history. Together these show the real operating age. If claimed experience does not match these records, the claim is false.
Can any immigration consultant guarantee a visa?
No. Visas are issued by the destination country’s government, not by consultants. Any agency guaranteeing a visa or making loud, over-the-top promises should be treated with caution. A genuine consultant is willing to say “no” when something is not right for your profile.
Is Madhav Immigration Pvt. Ltd. a genuine registered agency?
Yes. CIN: U74999HR2018PTC076503 (verify at mca.gov.in). GSTN: 06AAMCM1754A1ZR (verify at gst.gov.in). Operating since 2013, covered by ANI, Tribune, Dainik Jagran, ABP and others, and recipient of the Best MSME 2025 National Award.
Verify Madhav Immigration
Don’t take our word for it — run all six checks on us right now on official government portals.