The Education Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN), representing numerous consultancies, has sent a detailed amendment proposal after the new regulations entered force previously this month, with conversations over the disputed arrangements now under way.
The advancements come as Nepal issued more than 123,000 no-objection certificates (NOCs) for abroad study in 2025, with Australia, Japan, the US, Canada and the UK remaining the leading locations for Nepali students.
Authorized by Nepal’s Cabinet on July 8 and published in the main gazette with instant result, the policies replace decades-old ministry standards with lawfully binding requirements governing education consultancies, language teaching centres and preparatory classes.
Authorities say the procedures are meant to strengthen oversight, enhance openness and better safeguard students following months of scams investigations, authorities raids and problems including education consultancies, replacing a patchwork of ministry guidelines that had governed the sector for several years but lacked the force of law.
While Dahal stated ECAN supports more powerful guideline and greater accountability, he argued that numerous arrangements of the new structure would disproportionately impact genuine operators without resolving the origin of scams.
He likewise stated the guidelines were introduced without meaningful consultation with market stakeholders in spite of the sector’s main role in Nepal’s outbound education community.
“First, the federal government’s understanding of this sector is completely detached from reality,” Bashu Dev Dahal, very first vice-president of ECAN, told The PIE News.
“For over three years, our sector has contributed significantly to making the world’s best education available even to students from the most remote locations of the nation. These Nepalese students enhancing themselves around the globe are the real seeds of our society’s better thinking, strength, and self-confidence, forming the extremely structure of Nepal’s future.
“As it stands, this guideline will totally ruin the sector.”
Amongst the new requirements are an obligatory Nepali rupees (NPR) 2.5 million (around ₤ 12,000) security deposit, yearly licence renewals, a requirement for agencies to own their premises or hold a minimum three-year lease, federal government approval for abroad education fairs, minimum facilities requirements, consultancy grading, necessary digital payments and more powerful monetary liability for firms in particular scenarios.
Dahal stated the cash deposit would bind essential capital and force many little and medium-sized consultancies out of the marketplace, while constraints on commissions from abroad organizations would get rid of companies’ primary income source and eventually increase expenses for trainees.
He argued the combined impact would make abroad education less accessible, particularly for lower- and middle-income families, while grading consultancies based on visa results was unscientific since visa decisions are made by foreign governments instead of education representatives.
Beyond the individual arrangements, Dahal argued the structure essentially misunderstood how Nepal’s education consultancy sector operates.
“The structure is basically flawed and fails to comprehend our core functions, going so far as to limit us from guiding trainees through obligatory documentation and even visa application procedures,” he said.
“Additionally, it totally neglects vital market sectors, providing no guideline for franchise designs, EdTech business, or B2B partnerships.”
Instead of requiring the policies to be scrapped, Dahal stated ECAN had actually proposed a series of amendments, including replacing the down payment with an insurance-based system, extending licence credibility from one year to five years, legally acknowledging commissions received from abroad institutions, allowing managed education fairs instead of prohibiting them, eliminating the proposed grading system and introducing more useful infrastructure standards.
The proposition likewise requires a longer shift duration for existing operators to adhere to the guidelines, higher due process before licences are withdrawed, a warning-based method for minor advertising breaches instead of instant licence cancellation, and clearer rules around approvals for in-office counselling sessions and student details occasions.
As stakeholders, we have a lot to say for the improvement of this structure, and we will only support execution after the needed amendments are made to produce a strong, well-regulated, yet fair market
Bashu Dev Dahal, ECAN
The reforms follow a continual crackdown on Nepal’s consultancy sector over the past year. Authorities have actually investigated consultancies implicated of fraud, file forgery and deceptive students, while authorities have apprehended operators linked to a supposed fake UAE study scheme, conducted massive raids throughout Kathmandu Valley and targeted unregistered operators.
Regulators have actually likewise alleged that some consultancies facilitated abroad employment under the guise of research study abroad, alongside allegations of visa guarantees, fabricated offer letters and refusal to release refunds following visa rejections.
Last month, stakeholders across Nepal toldThe PIE they supported stronger oversight, supplied reforms concentrated on deceptive operators without putting unnecessary concerns on certified companies.
After the policies were gazetted, ECAN introduced a phased protest campaign beginning with discussions involving students, parents and education reporters before members wore black armbands to work and staged presentations across major cities on July 17. The association has alerted it will escalate to an across the country operational shutdown if the federal government refuses to amend the guidelines.
Regardless of the demonstrations, Dahal stated the association stayed positive that settlements with the government would ultimately produce changes to the framework.
“We desire a seat at the table. As stakeholders, we have a lot to state for the improvement of this framework, and we will only support application after the required modifications are made to produce a strong, well-regulated, yet reasonable market.”