Indian-origin adviser on UK visas banned

LONDON : Immigration adviser Alpesh Patel has been banned indefinitely by British authorities after 60 charges of irregularities were proved against him, including providing false papers to obtain visas.

The Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner — the regulating body of the immigration advice industry — said Patel made Tier 2 visa applications for at least 16 complainants using a fake Certificate of Sponsorship.

He acted as an immigration adviser and recruitment consultant, introducing the complainants to companies that he claimed could provide them with employment and a Certificate of Sponsorship to allow them to remain in the UK.

In each case, Patel charged £3,300 to £13,000, usually demanding payment in cash.

After the charges were proved, Patel’s OISC registration was cancelled and he was asked to repay £172,600 to complainants.

London-based Patel was also fined £7,460.