Earlier this week, an Irish Times investigation revealed a rising number of foreign students from outside the EU are using forged documents to secure study visas to work in Ireland.
The Irish Times spoke to a number of people who availed of the scam and admitted to obtaining forged enrolment letters, medical insurance and attendance certificates when applying for student visas. They pay scammers between €600-€1,800, negotiate the details via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger and then, never actually attend the school where they’re registered.
Reporter Isabela Boechat, who has spent eight months working on the investigation, found Latin American students, particularly Brazilians, were attracted by these more affordable visa options which allow them to work part-time while studying, and did not consider the legal implications of using forged documents to enter the country.
How widespread is this scam and what measures are English language schools, and Government immigration officials, taking to combat this fraudulent activity?
Romania says Russian drone incursions pose ‘new challenge’ to Black Sea security
Second-tier child benefit payments will not arrive for Budget 2026, says Minister
Legislation ‘on the way’ to cut power of judicial reviews to prevent, delay housing plans
Britain will ‘never surrender flag’ to far-right protesters, Starmer says
Today, on In the News, the English language school visa scam – reporter Isabela Boechat discusses the ‘ghost student’ visas spreading through the language school sector.
Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan and Declan Conlon.
