When intending to study abroad, most students seek the advice of consultants. But what tends to surprise students is how expensive and unclear the pricing framework of such services is. While consultants can offer critical assistance with university choice, paperwork, and visa procedures, their fees differ broadly based on the destination country, the complexity of the student’s profile, and the amount of support needed.

Here’s a closer examination of the average charges for different services provided by average study abroad consultancies:

What Are You Paying For?

• Counselling Sessions: Most consultancies offer upfront payment for simple profile analyses and standard guidance. Such tend to involve only one or two sessions before more charges need to be made for “premium” assistance.
• Application Support: Every university you apply to could cost you extra. This assistance typically involves completing application forms, uploading documents, and monitoring communication, but not necessarily with a success warranty.
• Visa Guidance: Consultants usually charge for assisting you with visa documents, filing, and mock interview practice. However, most of them do not take the blame if their visa is delayed or refused.
• SOP/LOR Drafting: Some agencies provide you with a freshly written SOP or LOR, but it is usually without a personal touch. You can end up paying for generic templates that are not customized to your experience.
• Post-Arrival Support: A few consultants package this as a “value-added service” but add extra fees for arranging such things as finding accommodation, airport pickup arrangements, or part-time job help.

The Hidden Costs No One Tells You About

And the worst part? Many of these agencies don’t communicate their costs upfront. Students and parents are often lured in with promises of “free guidance,” only to be surprised later by:

• Sudden add-on fees when it’s time to apply to universities
• Hidden charges for each step in the visa process
• Last-minute payments for SOP edits, courier services, or admin support
• Non-refundable service charges, even if the admission or visa falls through
  

These unexpected expenses can strain your budget, especially when you’ve already committed to tuition fees, living costs, exam charges, and more. This is where Orient Spectra stands apart—No Consultation Charges, No hidden charges or last-minute surprises, and full transparency from day one.