Choosing the right education consultancy can make the difference between a successful visa and university application — and a wasted year and thousands of dollars lost. With hundreds of consultancies claiming to offer similar services, how do you identify the genuinely good ones?
Here are 10 essential questions to ask before signing with any education consultancy.
Are You Registered and Licensed?
Any consultancy offering immigration or visa advice must hold the appropriate licence for the country they are advising on:
- Australia: Registered Migration Agent (RMA) number from MARA. Verify at mara.gov.au
- Canada: Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) number from CICC. Verify at iccrc-crcic.ca
- UK: OISC registration number. Verify at gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser
- New Zealand: Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA) number from IAA. Verify at iaa.govt.nz
For education consultants (who only advise on university applications, not visas), a licence is not always legally required — but reputable consultants typically hold ICEF or PIEonthemove accreditation.
Are You Accredited by ICEF or a Recognised Body?
ICEF (International Consultants for Education and Fairs) is the most widely recognised professional accreditation body for education consultants globally. ICEF-accredited agents are vetted for professionalism, honesty, and ethical practice.
Ask to see their ICEF agency membership certificate, or search the ICEF Agent directory.
Other credible accreditations include:
- PIEonthemove agent network
- NAFSA (USA-focused)
- EAIE (Europe-focused)
- University authorisation letters from the specific institutions they represent
Which Universities Are You an Official Representative For?
Legitimate consultants typically have authorisation letters or official representative agreements with the universities they recommend. Ask to see the authorisation letter for any specific institution they are recommending you apply to.
If a consultancy says they can get you into a university but cannot produce an official representative agreement, be cautious — they may be operating without proper authorisation and generating unofficial offer letters.
How Many Students Have You Successfully Placed This Year?
Ask for specific, verifiable numbers — not vague claims like "hundreds of students." Ask:
- How many students did you place at [specific university] in the last 12 months?
- What is your visa approval rate for [specific country]?
- Can you share any student reviews or references?
Be wary of consultancies that give vague or evasive answers. A reputable consultancy will be proud of its track record.
What Are Your Fees — Exactly?
Get a complete fee schedule in writing before signing anything. Ask:
- What services are included in the fee?
- Are there additional charges for visa lodgement, document preparation, or courier fees?
- Do you charge a commission from the university? (Most do — commissions are standard, but you should know)
- What is the refund policy if my visa or application is unsuccessful?
Red flag: A consultancy that asks for large upfront payments before providing any services, or charges fees that are far above market rates without justification.
Who Will Handle My Application — And What Are Their Qualifications?
Many consultancies employ junior staff to process applications while senior staff handle sales. Ask specifically:
- Who will manage my application from start to finish?
- What is their qualification and experience level?
- Will I have a dedicated point of contact?
Red flag: Being handed between multiple staff members with no clear owner for your file.
What Is Your Success Rate for [My Specific Country]?
Any consultancy can claim success in easy cases. Ask specifically about your target country, your source country, and your academic background:
- What is your visa success rate for [Indian/Nepali/Nigerian] students applying to [Australia/Canada/UK]?
- Have you handled any refused cases similar to mine? How did you address them?
- What is the most common reason for refusal among your clients?
A consultancy with genuine experience will give specific, honest answers. Vague guarantees of "100% success" are a red flag — no legitimate consultancy can guarantee visa approval.
Do You Write GTE/SOP Statements Honestly?
The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement for Australia, or Statement of Purpose (SOP) for other countries, is one of the most important documents in your application. Ask:
- Will you help me write my GTE/SOP, or write it for me?
- Will it reflect my genuine intentions and background?
- Have you ever had a client's application flagged for a dishonest GTE statement?
Red flag: A consultancy that promises to "write a strong GTE that always works" without interviewing you about your genuine circumstances. Fabricated GTE statements are a leading cause of visa refusals and cancellations.
What Happens After I Arrive — Any Ongoing Support?
A good consultancy doesn't disappear once your visa is granted. Ask:
- Do you provide any post-arrival support?
- What should I do if I have a problem with my visa conditions after arriving?
- Do you have contacts or a network in the destination country?
Can I Read Reviews From Your Past Students?
Ask for independent, verifiable reviews — not testimonials on their own website. Options include:
- Google Reviews with verified profiles
- Reviews on ConsultancyCheck (search for the consultancy here)
- Facebook group recommendations from student communities
- Personal referrals from students in your own network
Red flag: A consultancy that refuses to provide references or only shows carefully selected testimonials on their own website.
Comparing Consultancies Before You Decide
Before signing with any consultancy, compare your shortlist. ConsultancyCheck lets you compare education consultancies side by side — including verified student reviews, ICEF accreditation status, destination countries served, and specialisations.
Independent reviews written by past students are the most reliable signal of a consultancy's true quality. Read them carefully — especially any negative reviews and how the consultancy responded.
Explore more
Find your perfect consultancy.
Matched to your country & study goals — free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify if an education consultancy is legitimate?
Check for the following: (1) Registration with the relevant immigration authority (MARA for Australia, CICC for Canada, OISC for UK, IAA for NZ), (2) ICEF accreditation for education consultants, (3) Official university representative agreements, (4) Verifiable student reviews on independent platforms like ConsultancyCheck or Google. Never rely solely on the consultancy's own website testimonials.
What are the biggest red flags of an education consultancy scam?
Key red flags: (1) Guaranteeing visa approval — no legitimate consultant can do this, (2) Large upfront payments before any services, (3) Inability to show a registration number or ICEF accreditation, (4) Writing your GTE/SOP without interviewing you about your genuine circumstances, (5) Vague answers about success rates, (6) Pressure to decide immediately without time to research, (7) No verifiable office address or contact information.
Do I need an education consultancy to apply to university?
No. Most universities accept direct applications from students without a consultancy. However, a good consultant adds value through expertise with complex visa requirements, document preparation, GTE/SOP guidance, and institutional relationships. The key is finding a genuinely qualified, ethical consultant — a bad one can cause more harm than going direct.
How much should I pay an education consultancy?
Reputable education consultancies typically earn commissions from universities (paid by the institution, not the student) and may charge service fees of USD$200-$800 for assistance beyond basic applications. For migration agent services (visa lodgement), expect fees of AUD$2,000-$5,000 for Australia or equivalent for other countries. Be very wary of extremely high upfront fees or consultancies that ask for payment before providing any services.
Find a Verified Consultancy
Browse 800+ consultancies with real student reviews — sorted by rating and verification status.