As more Indians seek higher education abroad, the propensity to get student visas by

RELATED ARTICLES Tapi pipeline perfect example of energy diversification: US Reebok India accuses former top execs of $157m fraud India to move WTO this week against US visa fee hike India to move WTO this week against US visa fee hike Dr Reddy's launches lansoprazole capsules in US market

hook or crook has also increased. The incidence of fake documents and consequent rejection of visa applications has risen this year.

The rejection rate differs from country to country. Till the end of July, the British high commission received 28,000 applications; 9,000 of them were rejected on grounds of fraud. The US embassy rejected one of every five applications. Embassies or high commissions of other countries have also reported higher rejection rates, going up, in some cases, to 30 per cent. In the case of Australia, however, the rejection rate is relatively low.

Applicants have been submitting fake documents, including fake financial statements, false marriage certificates as well as forged degrees, hoping that the applications will pass scrutiny by foreign missions.

In the case of the US, the rejection rate last year was about 20 per cent. Says Puneet Gupta, manager of the Delhi-based education counselor, Yesco Education Services, “Last year about 100,000 students applied for higher studies in US universities; of those 20,000 applications were rejected on grounds of fraud in documentation. Earlier the rejection rate was half that level.”

The Australia mission received 362,000 student visa applications last year. Scrutiny detected fraud in as many as 28,000 of them; all were rejected.

In case of incomplete documentation, a student can apply again but those refused visas on grounds of fraud have no chance of another attempt.

Contributing to the rising incidence of fraud is the desire to get to a foreign country any which way and then seek permanent residency. Seeking a student visa, which is relatively easier to get, is one such way, according to Naresh Gulati, CEO of Oceanic Consultants.

Partly, the data also reflect increased vigilance and deeper scrutiny on the part of the embassies. Tougher visa rules have also meant greater desperation of Indians to get into these countries. It shows up in documentation frauds.

In March Britain introduced stricter visa rules that require all colleges, universities and educational institutions to be registered with the UK Border Agency, which issues licences to them. Submission of forged documentation invites a 10-year ban on travel to the UK.

The department of immigration and citizenship of Australia plans more stringent checks on student visa applications. Student applicants have to demonstrate financial capital to be able to live and study in Australia.

According to Gulati, the Australia rules require applicants to give proof of money that only parents, grandparents and siblings have. Earlier, proof of money from any source was permissible.

Oceanic Consultants placed about 3,000 students in Australian universities last year. Of the applications that the agency received in 2007 about 2 per cent were rejected due to fraud. The rate went up to 8 per cent in 2007.

A British high commission spokesperson says it is extremely important to prepare applications thoroughly and provide all supporting documentation with them. Subsequent submission of additional information is not allowed. “If an application is refused, the applicant may apply for an administrative review if he believes the visa officer has made an error of fact. He may also re-apply, addressing the reason for the first refusal."