Irish educational institutions are expressing worry following financial losses caused by fraudulent student visa schemes.

Here are the main points:

1. Language schools in Dublin are facing challenges due to international students using forged documents, leading to significant drops in enrollments and financial strain, resulting in staff layoffs.
2. The scam involves foreign students, particularly from Brazil, purchasing counterfeit school enrollment letters to obtain Irish residence permits or study visas.
3. To combat these scams, schools are implementing new security measures, such as QR codes in enrollment letters linked directly to school records.

The recent emergence of a visa scam involving non-EU citizens acquiring fake documentation for Irish residence permits has raised concerns among language schools in Dublin. This fraudulent activity has resulted in a substantial decline in enrollments, prompting some institutions to reduce fees and downsize staff. Those found guilty of participating in such schemes risk deportation from the Schengen Area and a potential ban of five years. The scam primarily targets foreign students, particularly those from Brazil, who pay for counterfeit school enrollment letters to secure Irish residence permits for study purposes or study visas.

One language school, the Dublin College of Advanced Studies (DCAS), reported a significant drop in enrollments, leading to fee reductions and staff layoffs. Sudesh Jewon, CEO of DCAS, revealed that the school became aware of the scam after being contacted by immigration authorities regarding individuals attempting to use fake letters to obtain visas. This incident underscores the need for stricter documentation verification to safeguard students, educational institutions, and Ireland's education system's reputation. In response, schools have begun implementing new security measures, such as QR codes in enrollment letters directly linked to school records, to protect against fraudulent schemes.

Scammers typically charge between €600 and €1,800 for fake enrollment letters, which students then submit to immigration authorities to obtain residence permits and study visas. This allows them to work part-time, making it an appealing option for those facing financial constraints. One student interviewed by the Irish Times cited high English school fees as the primary reason for seeking forged documentation. With fees for a 25-week English course reaching €3,900 and renewal fees totaling €2,600, she resorted to paying a scammer €750 due to financial constraints.

Despite these challenges, Ireland continues to attract a growing number of international students, with enrollments steadily increasing in recent years. Data from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) indicates that almost one in seven students enrolled last academic year in Ireland was an international student, representing a significant portion of the student population and highlighting the importance of addressing visa scams to maintain the integrity of the education system.