Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

SL visa scam revealed, but no review of past applications

31 July 2018 09:41 am - 8     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The New Zealand immigration office in Mumbai that handles Sri Lankan applications received a tip off at the start of the year.

Inquiries led officials to conclude a Sri Lankan based company was fraudulently creating documentation to help students meet the criteria of having money in the bank.

Official briefings to Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway show investigations are under way into the potential involvement of education agents in Sri Lanka, the finance company, whose name is redacted in the papers, and students as a result of these revelations.

There were 88 pending applications when the fraud was discovered and after further checks were done 83 were declined. The tip-off was in January.

The National Party wants to know why hundreds of past visas that have been granted to Sri Lankan students won't be reviewed.

The papers said a number of New Zealand educational providers had been affected and they had been told about what had happened and warned about the impact of student numbers in the future.

There was also an allegation "students paid an additional fee to secure the documentation" which was under further investigation.

But the company will still be involved in the student visa application system, though under "intensive scrutiny and increased verification".

From 2015 to 2017 there were about 5000 student visa applications from Sri Lanka of which about 3800 were approved. The documents do not make it clear how long officials think the scam has been going on.

Former Immigration Minister and National Party spokesperson Michael Woodhouse asked Mr Lees-Galloway whether he would look at past years to make sure the visas approved were legitimate.

Mr Lees-Galloway said that after scrutinising, then rejecting, most of the 88 applications the focus would now be on any future signs of fraud.

"To identify applications with similar characteristics already decided by INZ [Immigration New Zealand] would require substantial collation which I do not believe is in the public interest."

According to Mr Woodhouse up to half of Sri Lankan applicants could have used the company "fraudulently", and said that should be enough for officials to find how widespread any fraud was.

They were arriving in New Zealand ripe for exploitation as they had no money to support themselves, he said.

"I'm concerned that they are perpetrators but also potential victims."

It was "extraordinary" that the minister admitted no work had been done to review past applications.

"Of course it's in the public interest to make sure our visa system has integrity." (radionz.co.nz)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 8

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • FIFA Tuesday, 31 July 2018 10:13 AM

    Send FCID immediately and they will collect the balance samthosam money

    MyLanka Tuesday, 31 July 2018 10:48 AM

    Welcome to Sri Lanka, the land of fraud and corruption.

    Daham Tuesday, 31 July 2018 12:42 PM

    Typical Sri Lankan behavior. What a disgrace.

    Ahmed Tuesday, 31 July 2018 02:20 PM

    no wonder sri lankan passport is ranked as one of the worst passports in the world

    Ahmed Tuesday, 31 July 2018 02:12 PM

    most sri lankan students are not genuine students. they're just finding a way to get out of this country and work

    Dee Tuesday, 31 July 2018 04:26 PM

    The parents think that their children (especially females) are studying very hard. Boy don't we know what goes on there! Dream on parents. Send all your children 'abroad' for studies.

    Upul Tuesday, 31 July 2018 05:20 PM

    This is not a surprise as fraud and corruption is prevalent in the SL society today.

    cheers Wednesday, 01 August 2018 11:38 AM

    From 2015 to 2017 there were about 5000 student visa applications from Sri Lanka of which about 3800 were approved. The documents do not make it clear how long officials think the scam has been going on - The current govt who is capable of breaking the banks for money must be behind this


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H