The Commonwealth (quietly) reports “emerging integrity issues” with visa applications

Problem is you have to know where to look for the warnings, which are down page in both July and August Home Affairs advice notes for international education  providers, at its Provider Registration and International Student Management System site.

“ This information needs to be drawn to people’s attention – not only those who work directly in international recruitment and admissions, but quality and risk managers, deans and other senior leaders,” a learned reader warns.

The Department of Home Affairs tells HE providers “there are ongoing concerns” about education agents and sub-agents who arrange enrolments and/or lodge visa apps without declaring involvement.

It also asks providers “to sight and check overseas tertiary qualifications,” “particularly where the student is not represented by an education agent or where a new education agent is involved.”

Officials specifically warn of integrity issues with student visa applications from,

India: (in particular Haryana, Gujurat and Pubjab), fraudulent academic and English language qualifications. “Several education agents have been linked to large volumes of these applications.

Pakistan: “widespread use of fraudulent financial documents,” which “appears to be organised by a small group of education agents.”

Nepal: “fraud is present” and “there has been a significant increase in lodgements in the VET sector).

Kenya, Ghana: insufficient funds, fraudulent visas and identity fraud.