Advisory Services for Obtaining a
License
Study Abroad Consultancy
Providing study abroad consultancy services is a conditional business line. To operate lawfully, organizations and enterprises must obtain a study abroad consultancy service license from the Department of Education and Training where their place of operation is located — before providing any consultancy services to students or parents.
Serious Legal Consequences
Enterprises professionally operating in the field of study abroad consultancy, supporting students with scholarships, admissions, and visa procedures at foreign educational institutions.
Entities authorized by foreign educational institutions to recruit Vietnamese students, promote academic programs, and support admission applications.
Entities providing study abroad consultancy services through digital platforms, websites, social media, or mobile applications to students and parents nationwide.
Schools, language centers, IELTS/TOEFL preparation centers, or educational organizations with a dedicated division advising and assisting students with overseas study applications.
Travel companies, visa service providers, or immigration advisory firms that incorporate study abroad consultancy as part of their service portfolio.
VND 20 million
Written commitment
& facilities
Study Abroad Consultancy License
Business registration including study abroad consultancy
Diplomas and personnel profiles
Agreements with foreign schools
Facility documents
Department of Education & Training where the office is located
Receive application receipt
Await appraisal notice
On-site inspection of premises, if required
Processing time: 15–30 working days
Receive a license valid for 05 years
Analyze the business model, identify the applicable entity category and legal requirements, and advise on all personnel, facilities, and foreign school agreement requirements to be prepared.
Review all existing conditions of the enterprise — personnel qualifications, number of agreements with foreign schools, and facilities — identify missing elements and provide guidance on supplementation.
Prepare a complete dossier as required by law, including the application form, personnel profiles, statement of operations, and consular legalization of agreements with foreign schools, ensuring each document is valid.
Submit the application on behalf of the client to the Department of Education and Training; monitor the entire processing procedure, receive supplementation notices, if any, and promptly update the client.
Receive the study abroad consultancy service license from the Department of Education & Training and hand it over directly, together with the complete dossier and renewal reminders 06 months before the 05-year validity period expires.
Advise on post-licensing legal obligations; support renewal and license amendments when there are changes to personnel, location, partner school list, or scope of activities.
Yes. Under the 2019 Law on Education and Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP, study abroad consultancy is a conditional business line. Any organization or enterprise providing study abroad consultancy services — whether small or large, offline or online — must obtain a study abroad consultancy service license from the Department of Education and Training before commencing operations.
A study abroad consultancy service license is valid for 05 năm from the date of issuance. Before expiry, 06 months, the organization must submit a renewal application under procedures similar to the initial application. Continuing to operate after the license has expired may result in penalties under Decree No. 88/2022/ND-CP — fines from VND 10–20 million and possible suspension of all operations.
The head of the organization must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and have at least 3 years of experience in education or a related field. Consultants must hold a university degree and understand application procedures at foreign educational institutions. VLIC will review your personnel records to identify missing requirements and advise on lawful supplementation.
Under the regulations, the organization must have contracts or cooperation agreements with at least 03 foreign educational institutions lawfully operating in their respective jurisdictions. These agreements must be consular legalized or duly notarized and translated before submission. VLIC supports validity checks and the legalization process for these documents.
The usual processing time is 15 to 30 working days from the date the Department of Education & Training receives a valid application. If supplementation is required, the timeline may be extended. VLIC provides a written timeline commitment, actively monitors and follows up on the processing procedure, and helps ensure clients receive the license on schedule.