KATHMANDU, June 12: The Ministry of Education and Sports has asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to conduct a detailed investigation and initiate legal action after finding suspected forged documents and fake receipts linked to the student visa recommendation process.
In a letter sent on Thursday, the ministry said serious concerns had emerged over documents submitted for academic study visa recommendations issued to foreign students.
According to the ministry, a student visa recommendation was approved based on a letter purportedly issued by Valmiki Vidyapeeth in Kathmandu. However, a subsequent field inspection found major discrepancies in the enrollment and academic records of the individual named in the recommendation.
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While the recommendation letter and attached income receipts initially appeared genuine, investigators found inconsistencies in the student's admission and study details. The ministry said it could not verify that the individual was actually enrolled and studying at the institution as a foreign student.
The inspection also found that some documents and receipts submitted to the ministry appeared suspicious and possibly forged.
The ministry further stated that another letter previously received in the name of the same institution was also found to be fake. Following a preliminary review that raised questions about the authenticity of the submitted documents, the ministry cancelled the study visa recommendation issued on their basis.
The education ministry has urged the Home Ministry to carry out a comprehensive investigation into all parties involved and take action in accordance with prevailing laws. It also stressed the need for stronger coordination among concerned agencies to prevent misuse of the student visa recommendation system.
Student visa recommendations for foreign nationals in Nepal are issued on the basis of official enrollment, study and fee documents provided by educational institutions. Immigration rules also require authorities to ensure that students are genuinely engaged in academic studies.
The ministry described the case as a serious matter affecting the credibility of Nepal’s student visa system and said further administrative and legal action would be determined based on the findings of the investigation.
