New Zealand uncovers Chinese student visa fraud

New Zealand immigration officials are seeking 231 people on student visas after uncovering evidence of widespread fraud during a random check of visa applications at its Beijing office.

Steve Stuart of Immigration New Zealand said on Wednesday the fraud targeted student visas and consisted predominantly of fake qualifications and falsified bank statements.

"Our investigations are continuing but at this stage it appears that two agents in China have facilitated these fraudulent applications," Stuart said in a statement.