Fake Documents Used to Secure Student Visas for Ten Foreigners in Nepal

A significant breach in Nepal's visa verification system has come to light, involving ten foreign nationals who entered the country on tourist visas and later secured student visas through fraudulent means. The scheme utilized forged documents purportedly issued by a Sanskrit studies institution in Kathmandu, exposing apparent weaknesses in government oversight.

The deception was revealed after Nepal's Department of Immigration initiated an investigation into the activities of the visa holders, which had raised suspicions. Officials discovered that the Ministry of Education and Sports had recommended student visas for eight Chinese nationals, one Russian, and one South Korean based on falsified recommendation letters. These letters bore the letterhead of Balmiki Campus, an academic institution located in Kathmandu.

Ram Chandra Tiwari, director general of the Department of Immigration, confirmed that student visas were issued based on the ministry's recommendation. However, subsequent checks revealed that the individuals had no intention of studying. "A group involved in document forgery prepared fake papers and sent a recommendation to the ministry in the name of the institution, seeking student visas for ten foreigners," Tiwari stated. "We approved the visas based on the ministry’s request. We conducted the investigation to discover that the letter purportedly issued by the institution was forged. Further investigations are underway, and those involved will be brought to justice."

Documents obtained during the investigation show a letter dated May 20, sent to the ministry's Volunteer Mobilisation and Visa Recommendation Section under the name Balmiki Campus. This letter, allegedly signed by the principal, requested one-year academic study visas for ten foreign students. It falsely claimed the students had enrolled in a master’s program in Sanskrit Literature at Nepal Sanskrit University, with supporting documents indicating substantial tuition fees had been paid.

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A group involved in document forgery prepared fake papers and sent a recommendation to the ministry in the name of the institution, seeking student visas for ten foreigners. We approved the visas based on the ministry’s request. We conducted the investigation to discover that the letter purportedly issued by the institution was forged. Further investigations are underway, and those involved will be brought to justice.