No English? No matter

Student visa for Australia? Only those proficient in English and with enough funds to support their stay Down Under need apply. But, in Punjab, aspirants who don't qualify on these counts can rely on the friendly neighbourhood 'immigration consultant'. Hundreds of these agents operate in the big and small towns of Punjab's Doaba region. Some even have village branches.One agency, operating from Bathinda, advertisesitself thus: "We guide your child about student visa for Canada, US, Singapore,Australia, New Zealand and UK. Please come once if you are thinking for yourchilds future in abroad (sic)."An agency branch in a Ludhianavillage announces: "We deal all type of student visa, spouse case for Australiaand all Europe countery — with or without IELT (sic)... We also arrangefund show on reasonable rate for needed student." (IELT stands for themandatory International English Language Test.)When this reportercalled up the Ludhiana agency, posing as a prospective student bound forAustralia, the male voice at the other end introduced itself as a 'counsellor'."Don't worry," he said. "We will handle it for you even you have got bad scorein your Class XII. Marks is not a problem. We can send you 'do number se'although it will cost more." In other words, the documents can beforged.The agency was also ready to 'lend' money for six months at alow interest rate to resolve the funding issue. The fee? "We charge Rs 30,000for student visa and Rs 1 lakh from job-seekers."