During the monitoring, the ministry concluded that the claim that the person was studying as a foreign student at the relevant educational institution could not be confirmed. The ministry also stated that some of the documents and receipts submitted to the ministry were suspicious and fake in nature.
KATHMANDU:- Following suspicions that suspicious documents and fake receipts were used in the study visa recommendation process, the Ministry of Education and Sports has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs to conduct a detailed investigation and take legal action.
The Ministry of Education has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate and take necessary legal action, stating that serious doubts have arisen regarding documents related to study visa recommendations issued to foreign students.
According to the ministry, the recommendation for a study visa was made after receiving a letter from the Kathmandu-based Valmiki Vidyapeeth regarding ‘Recommendation for Academic Study Visa’. However, during an on-site inspection of the educational institution concerned, the ministry team stated that although the letter issued in the name of the recommended student and the income receipt attached to it appeared to be genuine, serious discrepancies were found in the admission and study details of the person mentioned in the letter.
During the monitoring, the ministry concluded that the claim that the person was studying as a foreign student at the relevant educational institution could not be confirmed. The ministry also stated that some of the documents and receipts submitted to the ministry were suspicious and fake in nature.
Meanwhile, the ministry has also stated that another letter received earlier from the same university was also found to be fake. According to the ministry, the recommendation letter issued for the study visa has also been revoked as initial investigations have raised questions about the credibility of the documents submitted. In a letter sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the ministry has urged a detailed investigation into all parties involved in the incident and to take action in accordance with the prevailing law. It has also pointed out the need for further coordination between the concerned bodies to prevent misuse of the study visa recommendation process.
When recommending a visa for study in Nepal to a foreign student, the process is carried out based on official documents related to admission, studies, and fees issued by the relevant educational institution. The Immigration Department has a provision to ensure that the student is actually engaged in studies when recommending a study visa.
Similarly, various agencies of the Nepali government have been warning from time to time that submitting false, misleading, or fake documents in any visa or foreign study-related process may result in legal action. The Ministry of Education and Sports has taken the latest incident as a serious matter related to the credibility of the study visa system. The ministry has also clarified that further administrative and legal decisions will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
