A good education consultant can make studying abroad far smoother — and a bad one can cost you money, time, or your place. Because most agents are paid by universities rather than by you, it pays to know exactly who you are dealing with.
The 7-point verification checklist
Work through these before you commit — most take only a few minutes and can save you a great deal of money and stress.
Check they are registered or trained
Education agents are not licensed the same way everywhere, but recognised training and registration exist. Look for an ICEF Trained Agent Counsellor (ITAC) or PIER Qualified Education Agent Counsellor (QEAC) — globally recognised education-agent qualifications. If the consultant also advises on your visa, that advice is regulated in most destinations: confirm they appear on the relevant register.
Cross-check university partnerships yourself
A legitimate agency will name the universities it represents. Verify at least one directly with the university — using the contact details on the university's own website, not the ones the agent gives you. Genuine partners can be confirmed by the institution's international office.
Get every fee in writing before you pay
Most education agents are paid a commission by universities, so counselling is often free to you — but always ask for an itemised fee schedule in writing, and specifically what is charged (or refunded) if your application or visa is refused. Migration and visa services are usually a separate, chargeable matter.
Read independent, verified reviews
Testimonials on an agency's own website are curated. Read verified student reviews on an independent platform, and look for recent, specific feedback about visa guidance, fee transparency and communication — not just a star rating. That is what ConsultancyCheck profiles are for.
Reject any "guarantee"
No legitimate consultant can guarantee admission, a scholarship, or a visa. Governments assess every visa individually, and universities make their own admission decisions. "Guaranteed visa", "100% acceptance" and "guaranteed scholarship" are among the most common scam signals.
Insist on professional contact and documentation
A real consultancy has a verifiable office, a professional email and website, and gives you a written service agreement. Be wary of a business that operates only through a personal Gmail address or WhatsApp number, or that pressures you to decide quickly.
Protect your documents and money
Never hand over your original passport or certificates — certified copies are enough. Avoid untraceable payments such as cash-only, personal transfers or crypto. Keep a receipt for everything you pay, however small.
Recognised education-agent qualifications
These are training credentials, not government licences — but a counsellor who holds one has been independently assessed. Search the official directories to confirm a claim.
ICEF Trained Agent Counsellor (ITAC)
Global education-agent training and certification. Searchable ITAC directory of qualified counsellors and their agencies.
Search the directory →PIER Qualified Education Agent Counsellor (QEAC)
Globally recognised education-agent qualification, widely held by counsellors placing students in Australia and beyond.
Search the directory →Official registers to check
If your consultant also advises on your visa, that advice is regulated in most destinations. Only use someone who appears on the official register — these rules can apply even to advisers based in your home country.
AustraliaMARA (OMARA)Only a registered migration agent may give immigration assistance. Check the agent on the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA / MARA) register.
Open the register →
CanadaCICC public registerPaid Canadian immigration advice must come from an RCIC licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants — even if the consultant is based outside Canada. RCIC licence numbers start with "R" followed by six digits.
Open the register →
United KingdomImmigration Advice Authority (IAA)Immigration advice is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) — formerly the OISC (renamed in 2025). Check the adviser or organisation on the IAA register.
Open the register →
New ZealandImmigration Advisers AuthorityImmigration advice must be given by a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA), unless exempt. Verify the licence on the Immigration Advisers Authority register.
Open the register →
United StatesState bar / accredited repThere is no education-agent licence, and immigration advice may only be given by a licensed attorney (or an accredited representative). Verify an attorney through the relevant state bar.
Open the register →Registration where you live
Beyond destination-country rules, check that the consultancy is properly registered in your own country.
Nepal
Education consultancies must be government-registered. Under the Educational Consultancy Regulations 2083 (2026), registration runs through the Ministry of Education (MoEST) and the relevant provincial authority. Membership of ECAN (the Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal) is an additional industry marker — not a substitute for a government licence.
Other countries 🌍
Check whether your national education ministry or a consumer-protection authority registers or licenses agents, and treat ICEF ITAC or British Council recognition as a quality signal on top of that.
🚩 Walk away if you see these
A guaranteed visa, scholarship or admission; pressure to pay or decide quickly; contact only through a personal Gmail or WhatsApp; requests for your original documents or untraceable payments; or a refusal to put fees and partnerships in writing.
See current scam alerts →Frequently asked questions
How do I check if an education consultant is legitimate?
What is the difference between an education agent and an education consultant?
Do education agents have to be licensed?
Should I pay an education consultant, and how much?
What are the biggest red flags?
Put it into practice
Check the reviews before you commit
Search any consultancy on ConsultancyCheck and read what real, verified students say — or share your own experience to help the next student choose safely.