The arrest of a travel consultant from Jalandhar has thrown a harsh spotlight on Punjab’s booming but troubled visa trade. Brijesh Mishra, who once ran a busy immigration office in the city, returned to India last week only to be detained at Delhi airport.
Police say Mishra helped send dozens, possibly hundreds of students to Canada on fake admission papers. Many had no idea their college documents were forged until they applied for permanent residency or switched courses. By then, it was too late.
The later capture of high-profile travel specialist Ravi Mishra has sent shockwaves through Punjab’s booming travel and migration division. Mishra, once seen as a trusted figure making a difference Punjabis look for openings overseas, is presently at the center of a major visa extortion embarrassment including fake archives, controlled applications, and unlawful migration practices.
Arrest of Travel Agent Sparks Investigation Across State
Authorities affirm that Mishra’s organization charged strong expenses from clients with guarantees of consider and work visas, basically to Canada, Australia, and the UK. Examinations uncovered that numerous of these applications were supported by manufactured budgetary articulations, fake instruction certificates, and untrue work offers.
From Hope to Heartbreak
Families in small towns like Kapurthala, Moga, and Phagwara had pinned their hopes and savings on Mishra’s services. Some sold farmland, others borrowed lakhs, just to send their children abroad. “Everything looked real,” said a relative of one of the affected students. “The papers, the stamps, the logos. No one suspected a thing.
Now, those students face possible deportation. Some are already under review by Canadian immigration, caught in a legal limbo. Mishra, after serving time in a Canadian jail, was deported and arrested immediately upon arrival in India on June 24. He is currently in police custody in Jalandhar.
A Larger Pattern
Mishra’s arrest is not an isolated case. Across Punjab, unlicensed visa and travel agents operate freely. Many run from small offices, some from homes.
Others use social media to advertise “guaranteed” visas to countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, over 90 percent of such agents in Punjab have no government registration. Still, they attract a steady flow of clients especially in rural areas where official rules are less understood and desperation is high.
Not Just Students
While student visa frauds grab headlines, other travel scams are growing too. In June, Mohali police busted a fake travel call centre that sold bogus flight tickets. In Patiala, investigators found a company offering jobs abroad that turned out to be fake. Victims included tourists, workers, and elderly pilgrims.
These cases have hit trust hard. Travel agencies across the state, especially the honest ones, are feeling the heat. Bookings have dipped. Enquiries have slowed. “We are suffering because of the frauds,” said a travel agent in Amritsar. “People don’t know who to believe anymore.”
Limited Checks, Slow Action
Though action has picked up most scams are uncovered only after damage is done. 25 firms were booked this year on similar charges. The MEA’s eMigrate portal, meant to list verified agents, remains underused. Many people don’t even know it exists. Others don’t know how to navigate it.
Police say more arrests are expected in the Mishra case. They believe he may have worked with others, possibly in coordination with agents in Canada. “It’s a network,” said one official. “Not just one man.”
What Can Be Done?
Legal experts say the system needs stronger safeguards. Rules exist, but without awareness and follow-through, they fail to protect the public. People are advised to check agent licenses, demand paperwork, and never pay in cash without receipts. If something feels rushed or secretive, it likely isn’t legal.
For many in Punjab, going abroad is a life goal. The dream isn’t new—but the risks now are. Mishra’s case is a reminder: behind every promise of an easy visa could lie a fake stamp, and a future on hold.
What’s Following for Punjab’s Migration Business?
With visa extortion cases on the rise, the aftermath from Mishra’s capture may trigger broader changes. Specialists propose authorizing necessities, obligatory confirmation of specialists, and a centralized complaint framework to secure clients.
Until at that point, the notoriety of Punjab’s travel division remains clouded, and yearning migrants are encouraged to conduct intensive checks some time recently trusting any organization.
