Immigration New Zealand is battling a serious issue.
This relates to widespread fraud over student visas.
In the last few years, the number of Indian people coming to study in New Zealand has risen.
In the last year itself almost 20,000 student visas were applied for.
Immigration New Zealand declined 50% of these visas!
The majority of these applications were from unlicensed agents and advisers.
Immigration New Zealand says that they use false educational qualifications and financial statements to apply for student visas.
Professor Paul Spoonley from Massey University told One News that it's going to be "an ongoing issue."
"It's a big industry in India, so I'm not surprised at the number that Immigration New Zealand have found," he added.
Professor Paul Spoonley further says - "They've got a major reputational risk for us as a destination for Indian students ... we've got to get on top of it because otherwise an important industry in this country is at risk."
Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse says the issue is being looked into further.
"Immigration NZ and Education NZ have gone into that market to make sure that people are very, very clear about the expectations for being a student in New Zealand," Mr Woodhouse told One News.
The advice from Immigration New Zealand to genuine students is do your research.
