Page 5 - StudyTravel Magazine August 2024 Issue & Star Awards 2024 Supplement

NEWS WORLDWIDE

by Matthew Knott, News Editor
Read full news stories online...
www.studytravel.network

Fraudulent acceptance letter agent Australia ends offshore
sentenced in Canada switches to student visas
TERTIARY LANGUAGE SECONDARY TERTIARY ASSOCIATED
n Indian agent at the centre of Canada’s fraudulent accept- he Australian government has moved to
ance letter case has pleaded guilty to immigration offences restrict ‘visa hopping’ onshore, meaning
Aand has been sentenced to a three-year prison sentence. Tthat visitors are no longer able to apply for
Brijesh Mistra, who operated Education Migration Services student visas in Australia and graduates cannot
agency in Jalandhar, was charged last year after an investigation switch from post-study work back to study.
by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). The Department of Home Affairs said this
Early last year, scores of Indian students faced deportation “closes a pathway that has been used to
after false admission letters came to light. Many students claimed attempt to subvert the Government’s strength-
to have been unaware of the letters, which were discovered by ened offshore student visa integrity measures”.
the authorities when students had completed full programmes of It also cited a report that found that 32 per
study and were seeking to transfer to other visa routes. cent of Graduate Visa holders returned to study
A CBSA investigation had examined 108 cases as of October and after their visa expired. “This change makes it
determined that 62 were genuine students. Following the episode, clear that graduates should be finding skilled
IRCC introduced a new system for designated learning institutions jobs and becoming permanent residents, or
(DLIs) to confirm each Letter of Acceptance (LOA) with the depart- departing the country when they are more likely
ment, a system that it said would protect students and help to to become ‘permanently temporary’,” it said.
avoid further incidents of fraud. Read more at: bit.ly/3xwfQfw ELT sector peak body English Australia www.
englishaustralia.com.au (EA) said the policy was
not backed with any
Kaplan Languages Group evidence of abuse.
acquires Azurlingua “Many tourists
enjoy the fantastic
LANGUAGE
services high-quality
aplan Languages Group www.kaplan- EA member colleges
international.com has announced provide. Many of
Kthe acquisition of Azurlingua https:// these tourists want
azurlingua.com, a French school in Nice founded in 1990. to stay longer and achieve a life-changing level
David Fougere, COO of Kaplan Languages Group, said, “Together of English before they return to their home
with Azurlingua, we are expanding our French and European country. EA sees this as a success that should
portfolio, and we are proud to continue this journey with a team be applauded, not banned,” said Ian Aird, CEO.
widely known for its outstanding support and superb service.” The association added that it was also com-
Jean Luc Librati, CEO of Azurlingua said, “Joining Kaplan mon for prospective students to come and
Languages Group marks a significant milestone. We are united in experience Australia on a tourist visa, visit loca-
our commitment to delivering the highest educational standards tions and check out the institutions that they
to international students.” Read more at: bit.ly/4bgNLXq plan to apply for. Full story at: bit.ly/3RHd65M

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