In 8 years of running an immigration agency, I’ve heard this story more times than I can count.
Someone paid €500, €800, even €2,000 to a company they found on Facebook. The company disappeared. The money was gone. No visa, no documents, no explanation.
They came to us after losing everything.
This article is for you — before that happens.
I’m Arar Guliyev, founder of Live & Study in Europe. I was an immigrant myself. I know what it feels like to need help and have no way to know who to trust.
So here is everything we know about immigration scams — and exactly how to verify any company, including ours. Check us first. We’ll wait.
Why This Decision Carries So Much Risk
Immigration services cost real money. For most people reading this, €800 to €2,000 is not a small amount. It is months of savings. It is your family’s security.
And scammers know this.
They target people who are desperate for a better life. They use professional websites, fake testimonials, and stolen logos. Some even have real offices. They disappear after you pay.
The good news: legitimate companies leave a verifiable trail. Scammers cannot fake this trail. You just need to know where to look.
8 Red Flags of an Immigration Scam
Read this list carefully. If an agency shows even one of these signs, stop.
1. They guarantee your visa
No one can guarantee a visa. The embassy decides — not the agency. Any company that promises “100% visa approval” is lying.
2. They ask for payment before signing a contract
A real company gives you a service agreement before any payment. If there is no contract, you have no protection.
3. They cannot show you their company registration
Legitimate agencies are registered businesses. You can check any registration number online. If they refuse to share it, ask yourself why.
4. There are no real client videos
Text reviews are easy to fake. Video testimonials from real clients — speaking their own language, sharing their own story — are not. If you find no videos, be careful.
5. Their communication is rushed
Scammers push you to pay quickly. “Only 3 spots left.” “Offer ends tonight.” Real agencies give you time to verify. They want informed clients.
6. There is no visible founder or team
Who is behind this company? What is their name? What is their story? If there are no real people you can search and find, that is a warning sign.
7. Their social media history is short
A company that has existed for 8 years has 8 years of posts, videos, and comments. A scam company created last month will have nothing.
8. They cannot answer specific questions about the process
Ask them: “What documents do I need? How long does processing take? What happens if my visa is rejected?” Real agencies answer clearly. Scammers deflect.
How to Verify Any Immigration Company – Step by Step
Use this checklist for any agency you are considering.
Step 1: Check their company registration
Every legitimate immigration company is registered. Ask for their company name, registration number, and the country they are registered in. Then search for it yourself in that country’s official business registry.
If they cannot give you a registration number, stop immediately.
Step 2: Read negative reviews — and look at what kind of complaints they are
Any company that has processed thousands of clients over many years will have unhappy people. That is normal. The question is: what are they unhappy about?
“My visa was rejected” — not a scam. The embassy decides, not the company.
“The process took longer than I expected” — not a scam.
“They took my money and disappeared” — scam. Run.
Read the negative reviews with that filter. How a company responds to complaints tells you more than the complaints themselves.
Step 3: Find their oldest content
Go to YouTube. Search for their company name. Look at the oldest videos. Are there client testimonials from 3 years ago? 5 years ago? A company that has been operating for years has a visible track record. You cannot fake the date on a YouTube video from 2019.
Step 4: Request a service agreement before you pay
Ask them: “Can I see the contract before I decide?”
A real company will say yes immediately. The contract should state exactly what services they provide, what the payment covers, and what happens if your visa is not approved.
Step 5: Book a free consultation call — and use it
A real company gives you their time before they ask for your money.
Book the free consultation call. Come with questions. Ask about the process, the timeline, what happens if your visa is rejected. A legitimate agency will answer everything clearly. A scammer will rush you, deflect, or push you to pay first.
Use that call. It costs you nothing and tells you everything.
Step 6: Ask to speak with a previous client
A confident, legitimate agency can connect you with someone who completed the process. This is the most powerful verification step of all. If they refuse, that tells you something.
How to Verify Live & Study in Europe Right Now
We practice what we preach. Here is how to check us — completely independently, without asking us anything.
Check our company registration
We are registered in Slovakia, EU.
Go here: https://www.orsr.sk/zbl.asp?lan=en&ID=700375&SID=2
You will see:
- Company name: Live and Study in Europe s.r.o.
- Business ID (ICO): 56 443 315
- Address: Drienova 16940/1J, 821 01 Bratislava
- Managing Director: Arar Guliyev
This is a government database. We cannot edit it.
Watch 8 years of client videos
We have 100+ video testimonials on YouTube. Real people. Real names. Real countries. Some from 2018, some from last month.
Watch them here:https://www.youtube.com/@LiveandStudyinEurope/
Check our Google rating
4.7 stars from 287+ reviews. Search “Live & Study in Europe” on Google Maps and read them yourself.
Meet our team
See the real people who will handle your case: https://liveandstudy.eu/about/
Book a free call with us
Ask us anything. We do not rush you. We do not push you to pay before you are ready. We give you a contract before any invoice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before You Decide
Scammers are real. Immigration fraud is real. People lose real money every day.
But legitimate companies are also real — and they leave a trail you can verify.
Before you pay anyone, check their registration. Watch their client videos. Read their reviews with the right filter. Ask for a contract. Book the free call. Take your time.
We built Live & Study in Europe to survive any level of scrutiny. 8 years. 9,000+ clients. 60+ countries. A registration you can check in 30 seconds.
We are not asking you to trust us. We are asking you to verify us.