Nepal’s Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MoEST) just recently prompted trainees planning to study abroad to utilize only restored consultancy companies after publishing a list of authorized operators for the 2025/26 .
The announcement came days after cops raids on lots of education consultancies across Kathmandu Valley. Reports recommend authorities apprehended 69 people and released examinations into alleged scams, file falsification and unregistered operations as part of a broader campaign by the ministry and Nepal Authorities to reform and control the sector.
Reports also suggest some consultancies are accused of misleading trainees about abroad research study opportunities, consisting of appealing positionings that never ever materialised or misrepresenting the organizations trainees were being sent to.
On the other hand, the Federation of Education Consultancy Entrepreneurs of Nepal said it supports efforts to tidy up the sector however advised authorities not to create “unnecessary fear” among legitimate consultancy entrepreneurs.
The developments come amidst record outbound movement from Nepal, with the number of no-objection certificates (NOCs) provided for overseas study increasing from 98,997 in 2023 to 123,092 in 2025. Around 4,000 consultancies are likewise believed to be operating across the country, according to University World News.
As per regional media reports, just around 1,000 consultancies had complied with previous renewal requirements, with approval for non-renewed operators immediately withdrawed, while the emergence of provincial registration systems has included even more complexity to the regulatory landscape.
Reports recommend weak oversight has actually made it possible for some consultancies to facilitate overseas employment under the guise of research study abroad, prompting calls for stronger regulation.
“I think any action taken against consultancies associated with scams, file falsification, trainee exploitation, or other illegal activities is warranted and essential,” Roshan Ghimire, creator and handling director of Gen Z Global Visa and Education Services, told The PIE News.
“Trainees and their households invest significant financial and emotional resources into global education, and those who intentionally mislead students should be held accountable.”
However, Ghimire warned against viewing the recent enforcement actions as representative of the entire sector.
“Authentic education consultants are not simply recruiters working for commission. At their finest, they help trainees determine ideal study pathways, comprehend visa requirements, assess profession results, and make informed decisions about among the biggest financial investments they will make in their future.
“Nepal has many expert and ethical consultancies that have supported trainees effectively for years. In reality, the absence of efficient policy has frequently injured reputable operators, as they have actually had to compete with those engaging in misleading or unethical practices. More powerful oversight, if carried out relatively, should assist professionalise the sector and reinforce trust.”
Deepak Khadka, creator and CMO of Franklin Education, said Nepal’s consultancy licensing framework currently runs throughout both federal and provincial systems, developing regulative complexities that authorities are looking for to address.
Khadka noted that while the ministry has released a list of 1,459 authorized operators, MoEST data recommends only around 760 agencies have actually finished their newest licence renewal, a gap authorities are looking for to resolve through reforms.
“We comprehend this space is something the federal government is actively looking for to attend to through forthcoming legislation, which may consist of a monetary deposit requirement as a condition of renewal, with the broader objective of bringing the variety of running companies to a more manageable and quality-assured level,” he stated.
“In the meantime, we would motivate students to verify a firm’s current renewal status and request for documents before engaging their services.”
Khadka stated the application of the measures had actually produced unpredictability for some firms running within the law, while disturbance to federal government systems throughout in 2015’s “Gen Z movement” had affected specific renewal records.
“We hope authorities will take this context into factor to consider as they evaluate compliance,” he stated.
Ultimately, the objective ought to be to construct an international education environment that is transparent, ethical, student-centred, and relied on by students, moms and dads, institutions
, and regulators alike Roshan Ghimire, Gen Z Global Visa and Education Services
The crackdown comes amidst larger reforms to Nepal’s international education system, including proposed changes to no-objection certificates, consultancy oversight and trainee outcome tracking.
According to sources, previously announced agent monitoring procedures and NOC concern sector policies are anticipated to be introduced in the coming weeks as Nepal seeks to reinforce governance in global education and position itself as an emerging research study destination.
To assist strengthen Nepal’s international education sector, Ghimire called for stronger digital monitoring, regular compliance reviews and greater transparency around trainee outcomes, while backing the federal government’s proposed consultancy grading framework.
“Ultimately, the goal must be to develop a global education ecosystem that is transparent, ethical, student-centred, and trusted by trainees, moms and dads, institutions, and regulators alike,” he specified.
For Khadka, reliable regulation should also be collaborative, with structured dialogue needed between the ministry and professional associations such as ECAN, FECON and NECA, whose members jointly serve the huge bulk of students.
“Collaborative regulation, constructed on shared trust and shared goals, tends to be much more efficient and sustainable than top-down action alone. Our company believe the associations are prepared and ready to engage constructively,” he added.
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