How Much Do Study Abroad Consultants in India Usually Charge

When someone plans to study in another country, especially from India, it’s quite common to approach a study abroad consultant. These are people or agencies that help with applications, visas, and everything in between. The fees charged can be a bit confusing even though the process sounds straightforward. Different consultants use different pricing systems and the cost can change based on which country the student is going to and how much support is needed.

What Types of Fees Are There?

There are mainly two types of setups. Some study abroad consultants work directly with universities. In such cases, the student often doesn’t pay much, or anything at all. That’s because the consultant gets paid by the university once the student joins. These kinds of agencies mostly deal with popular destinations like New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the UK.

Others don’t depend on commissions and instead charge students a fixed amount. This model is more common when applying to top-ranked colleges or if the student wants extra personal support. The cost in such cases depends on the level of service. It can start from around ₹20,000 and go beyond ₹2 lakhs.

Flat Fees vs Percentage Fees

Some study abroad consultants don’t stick to fixed rates. Instead, they take a cut based on the total program cost. Say a student is enrolling in a ₹20 lakh program. The consultant may charge 10–15% of that, which works out to ₹2–3 lakhs. This kind of pricing is more common in one-on-one mentorship setups, often aimed at U.S. admissions or similar.

What Do Study Abroad Consultants Actually Help Students With?

Some students might just want advice about the colleges they can aim for based on their marks and what they want to study. Others rely on the consultant to actually manage the whole process. That might include filling out the forms, making sure nothing’s missing, and keeping track of the different deadlines.

The level of help students get from study abroad consultants depends on what they are looking for.

Then there’s the writing part. For courses that need a personal statement or letters from teachers, consultants often step in to guide students on how to put things together properly. It’s not always full-on editing, sometimes it’s just small tweaks or suggestions. Toward the end, when all the documents are ready, students also get help figuring out the visa part especially with forms and appointments or the financial proof section.

Some study abroad consultants take it a step further. They might help with interview prep or give suggestions on where to stay once the admission comes through. A few even offer to help with booking tickets.

Charges Based on Destination

Different countries can lead to different price points. Here’s a quick breakdown of how it usually goes.

New Zealand and Australia

Many students go through agents who work directly with universities in these countries. Because the consultant earns from the school, the student may not have to pay anything. In some cases, if students want more help like visa coaching or paperwork review, they might pay around ₹15,000 to ₹30,000.

UK and Canada

Fees for these places vary. Some consultants offer support for free, especially if they’re tied to universities. Others charge between ₹25,000 and ₹70,000 depending on how much they do for the student. Help with student visas in Canada, especially in the SDS stream, sometimes brings extra costs.

USA

The U.S. usually has the highest price tags when it comes to application help. That’s because a lot of students go for top-tier universities and need help early on. Consultants who help students plan from high school charge more. Packages can go from ₹1.5 lakhs to even ₹7–8 lakhs. If someone’s just applying to a regular college, then fees stay closer to ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Charges

Undergrad applications are more detailed. Consultants often work with students for longer, guiding them through profile building, choosing activities, and writing personal essays. That’s why the charges are higher.

Postgrad students usually just need help with picking the right course, writing a solid SOP, and filling out visa forms. This makes the price lower. Many students have mentioned paying ₹25,000–₹80,000 for postgrad-related help, depending on how many universities they applied to and what kind of support they got.

Package-Based Services

Some consultants offer packages that split services into levels.

• Basic: Just university shortlisting and application

• Mid-range: Also includes help with SOPs and LORs

• Premium: Includes mock interviews, test prep, and more

The more detailed the plan, the higher the price. A basic plan might be ₹20,000, while a full premium one could cost over ₹2,00,000.

Add-On Costs You Should Know

Even when study abroad consultants give a base price, it’s not always the final cost. Students often have to pay extra for small services like:

• Getting documents notarized

• Translation help

• Courier services

• Booking visa appointments

These charges usually come to around ₹2,000–₹10,000 depending on the service.

Before You Sign Up

Here are a few things students should always check:

• Is the consultant linked to any university?

• Are visa services part of the fee or separate?

• Do they provide writing help for SOPs or LORs?

• What’s included in the total cost?

Also, some study abroad consultants offer sessions before students leave India. These include finding accommodation, getting health insurance, or even understanding customs at foreign airports. These services might be optional or priced separately.