Fake admission letters: how to verify a university acceptance letter

Every year students pay agents who deliver a "final admission", only to find out at the embassy or university that the letter was fake. The result is not only lost money: submitting a fake document can lead to a visa refusal and even an entry ban. In this guide you will learn how to check the authenticity of an admission letter before any payment or application.

Why is this so serious?

The admission letter is the basis of your study visa file. If it is fake, the responsibility lies with the applicant, even if an agent provided it. For example, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) explicitly warns that submitting forged or falsified documentation may result in a five-year entry ban to the Schengen area, and that applicants remain responsible for genuine documents even when using an agent.

Warning signs in an admission letter

• It came from an email that does not use the university's official domain (e.g. Gmail or a similar-looking domain).
• It was issued before you sent any documents, or much faster than usual.
• It promises a "guaranteed visa" or "unconditional admission for everyone".
• The programme, level or dates do not match the official university website.
• The phone number or address differs from the university's official details.
• It has spelling mistakes, a low-quality logo or a messy layout.
• You are asked to pay tuition into a personal account or an agent's account.

Step-by-step verification

1. Find the official university website yourself: do not use a link sent by the agent; search the university name and make sure you are on its official domain.
2. Find the programme on the university website: the field, language and level must match the letter exactly.
3. Contact the admissions office directly: take the email or phone number from the official website and ask whether they issued a letter for you with this application number.
4. If the university has an applicant portal, check your application status there.
5. Check the institution itself: make sure it is on the country's official list of recognised universities.
6. Check the payment route: tuition must be paid to the university's official account with an official receipt.

Country-specific tips

• Romania: for non-EU students, the Letter of Acceptance to Studies is the key document for the study visa. According to the Romanian immigration (IGI) guidance published by universities, it is issued by the Romanian Ministry of Education. A mere "confirmation" from an agent does not replace it.
• Hungary: the residence permit requires an admission certificate issued by the receiving institution. Ask the university directly whether it is genuine.
• Germany: admission (Zulassungsbescheid) is issued by the university itself or through its official portal.
• Turkey: you can search programmes and universities on the official Study in Türkiye platform and receive admission directly from the university.

What if you suspect a fake letter?

1. Do not make any further payments.
2. Keep copies of the letter, emails and messages.
3. Inform the university through its official email.
4. Never submit a suspicious letter to an embassy.
5. If you have paid, pursue it through the legal authorities in your country.

The AfgPath approach

We obtain admissions directly from universities' admissions offices and check every file against the university's latest requirements before signing a contract. You can always verify the authenticity of a letter you receive through us directly with the university; we encourage it.

Frequently asked questions