Students deported over New Zealand visa scam

Sixteen Chinese students have been deported from the country for their involvement in a widespread New Zealand visa scam which saw almost 300 visas issued incorrectly.

A routine audit carried out at a Beijing Immigration New Zealand office in July uncovered 279 New Zealand visa applications with inconsistencies.

Many of the applications included falsified bank statements and manufactured qualifications in support of student visa applications.

Further investigation revealed many of the visas holders were still in the country and steps were taken to apprehend as many as possible.

In July, Immigration New Zealand officials confirmed five people had been arrested in connection with the scam while others unknowingly affected by the scam had been given bona fide visas.

Today INZ officials confirmed 16 of the students involved had been removed from the country while one member of staff at the Beijing office in question had been removed from their post.

The New Zealand Visa Bureau is an independent migration consultancy that specialises in helping people apply for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa.