Chinese university investigates forged Cambridge invitation linked to visa denials

By Minh Nga December 20, 2024 | 12:07 am PT

The Zhijiang Campus, which is home to Zhejiang University (ZJU)'s Guanghua Law School. Photo courtesy of ZJU

Zhejiang University is investigating claims that a staff member forged invitation letters from Cambridge University, leading to the denial of over 20 students' visa applications and potential bans from entering Britain.

The university filed police reports earlier this month after students complained about alleged fraud tied to their visa applications for a joint forum in Britain, according to the South China Morning Post.

Chinese media later reported that the staff member, in collaboration with a visa agent, fabricated an invitation letter supposedly from a Cambridge University professor.

A whistle-blower, reportedly one of the affected students, told Dutenews that the British embassy had verified the invitation letter with Cambridge University and found it to be fake. "The [British] embassy believed our documents were forged," the whistle-blower said, expressing fears that all students named on the letter could face repercussions.

The British embassy in Beijing confirmed on Thursday that the applicants were refused visas due to "false documentation provided in their applications." If these students reapply using forged documents, they could face a 10-year entry ban to Britain.

Zhejiang University has formed a task force to investigate the incident, pledging to protect student rights and "sternly punish" anyone found responsible. The university is also working to mitigate the impact on affected students and resolve the issue through various channels.