Starting an education consultancy business in Nepal is a regulated process that requires proper licensing from government authorities. This comprehensive guide explains how to start education consultancy business in Nepal legally, covering all required steps, documents, costs, and timelines based on the latest 2025 regulations from the Ministry of Social Development (MOSD).
For entrepreneurs looking to enter Nepal's growing education consultancy sector, understanding the legal registration process is essential. Every education consultancy must obtain proper licensing before offering services to students. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in severe penalties, including fines up to NPR 100,000 and business closure orders.
Why Education Consultancy Registration is Legally Required in Nepal
Education consultancy registration in Nepal is mandated by law to protect students from fraudulent practices and ensure service quality. The Education Consultancy Service Directive 2073 (2016) makes it compulsory for all consultancies to obtain a license before operating.
Legal Framework Governing Education Consultancies
Several laws regulate education consultancies in Nepal:
- Education Consultancy Service Directive 2073 (2016) – Primary licensing regulation
- Companies Act 2063 (2006) – Governs company incorporation
- Consumer Protection Act 2075 (2018) – Protects student interests
- Provincial Social Development Regulations – Provincial licensing procedures
Penalties for Operating Without License
Operating without an education consultancy license in Nepal carries serious consequences:
- Fines ranging from NPR 50,000 to NPR 100,000
- Immediate closure orders from Department of Commerce
- Blacklisting from foreign university partnerships
- Legal action under Consumer Protection Act
Therefore, proper registration is not optional—it is a legal requirement for all education consultancies.
Step-by-Step Process to Register Education Consultancy in Nepal
The complete process to register education consultancy in Nepal involves seven distinct steps across multiple government agencies. The entire process typically takes 30 to 100 working days.
Step 1: Company Registration at Office of Company Registrar (OCR)
The first step to start education consultancy business in Nepal is registering as a private limited company at OCR. This can be done through the online portal at camis.ocr.gov.np.
Required documents:
- Unique company name (must include "Education" or "Consultancy")
- Citizenship copies of all shareholders
- Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA)
- Office address proof
Government fees:
- Name reservation: NPR 100 per name
- Registration fee: NPR 1,000 to NPR 25,000 (based on authorized capital)
Step 2: PAN/VAT Registration at Inland Revenue Department (IRD)
After OCR registration, PAN/VAT registration must be completed within 30 days at the Inland Revenue Department. VAT registration is recommended for education consultancies handling international transactions.
Required documents:
- Company registration certificate
- MOA and AOA
- Office rent agreement
- Citizenship of directors
Processing time: 3-5 working days
Step 3: Business Registration at Local Ward Office
The business must be registered at the local Ward Office where the office is located. A business operation license (संचालन अनुमतिपत्र) is issued after registration.
Required documents:
- Company registration certificate
- PAN certificate
- Office rent agreement
- House tax clearance from property owner
Fees: NPR 500-2,000 (varies by municipality)
Step 4: ECIS Portal Registration at Ministry of Social Development (MOSD)
For education consultancy registration in Bagmati province, the ECIS Bagmati portal is mandatory. This is the most critical step to obtain the education consultancy license in Nepal.
Application process:
- Create account on ECIS Bagmati system
- Upload all required documents
- Pay application fee of NPR 15,000
- Submit security deposit of NPR 100,000 (refundable)
Portal access: ECIS Bagmati Portal (ecis.bagmati.gov.np)
Step 5: Ministry Inspection and Verification
The MOSD inspection team visits the consultancy office to verify compliance with operational standards. The inspection focuses on:
- Office infrastructure adequacy
- Qualification of two mandatory counselors
- Verification of foreign university MOUs
- Signage and professional setup
- Record-keeping systems
Preparation tips:
- Ensure minimum 500 sq ft office space
- Display company name board prominently
- Maintain proper filing systems
- Keep counselor certificates ready for verification
Step 6: Final License Issuance
After successful inspection and document verification, the education consultancy license is issued by MOSD Hetauda. The license is valid for one fiscal year and must be renewed annually.
License details:
- Issuing authority: Ministry of Social Development, Hetauda
- Validity period: 1 fiscal year (Shrawan to Ashad)
- Renewal deadline: Within 3 months of fiscal year end
Required Documents for Education Consultancy License Nepal
A comprehensive document checklist is provided below to ensure smooth processing of your education consultancy registration in Nepal.
|
Document Category |
Specific Requirements |
Issuing Authority |
|
Company Documents |
Company Registration Certificate, MOA/AOA, Share Registry |
OCR |
|
Tax Documents |
PAN Certificate, VAT Certificate (if applicable) |
IRD |
|
Office Documents |
2-Year Rent Agreement, Land Ownership Certificate (Lalpurja), Property Tax Clearance |
Landlord/Ward Office |
|
Personal Documents |
Citizenship copies, PAN, National ID of all shareholders |
Government of Nepal |
|
Professional Documents |
TITI Certification of 2 Counselors, CVs, Offer Letters |
Training Institutes |
|
University Documents |
MOU with 2 Foreign Universities, Authorization Letters |
Foreign Universities |
|
Financial Documents |
Bank Statement, Security Deposit Receipt, Application Fee Receipt |
Bank/MOSD |
Note: All documents must be notarized and uploaded in PDF format on ECIS portal.
Cost Breakdown: Education Consultancy License Nepal
Understanding the total cost to start education consultancy business in Nepal is crucial for financial planning. The complete breakdown is provided below.
|
Cost Component |
Amount (NPR) |
Description |
|
OCR Registration Fees |
1,000 - 25,000 |
Based on authorized capital (5 Lakhs recommended) |
|
Name Reservation |
100 |
Per name application |
|
PAN/VAT Registration |
Free - 100 |
Online application is free |
|
Ward Office Registration |
500 - 2,000 |
Varies by municipality |
|
MOSD Application Fee |
15,000 |
Non-refundable processing fee |
|
Security Deposit |
100,000 |
Refundable deposit (Bagmati Province) |
|
Legal Documentation |
10,000 - 25,000 |
MOA/AOA drafting, application preparation |
|
Professional Services |
50,000 - 1,50,000 |
If hiring consultant/lawyer |
|
Office Setup |
100,000 - 300,000 |
Furniture, computers, internet, signage |
|
Working Capital |
100,000 - 300,000 |
Initial operational expenses |
|
Total Estimated Cost |
1,75,000 - 2,50,000 |
Complete registration and setup |
Additional costs may include notarization (NPR 100-500 per document) and translation services (NPR 50-100 per page).
Key Requirements for Education Consultancy Operation
Beyond registration, several operational requirements must be maintained continuously.
Two Qualified Counselors with TITI Certification
Every education consultancy must employ at least two trained counselors who have completed TITI (Training Institute for Technical Instruction) Certification. This is a non-negotiable requirement for license approval.
Counselor qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree minimum
- TITI Certification in educational counseling
- Experience certificates from recognized institutions
- Updated CVs and offer letters
MOU with Two Foreign Universities
A critical requirement for education consultancy license in Nepal is having formal agreements with at least two foreign universities or educational institutions.
MOU must include:
- Authorized representation rights
- Commission structure details
- Student placement responsibilities
- Agreement validity period
- Official letterheads and signatures
Minimum 2-Year Office Rent Agreement
The office premise must be secured for a minimum period of two years. Short-term rental agreements are not accepted by MOSD during inspection.
Rent agreement requirements:
- Registered at local ward office
- House owner's citizenship copy attached
- Property tax clearance certificate
- Minimum 500 sq ft office space
Timeline: How Long Does Education Consultancy Registration Take?
The education consultancy registration process timeline varies based on document preparation and government processing speed.
|
Step |
Process |
Timeline (Working Days) |
|
Step 1 |
Company Name Reservation & OCR Registration |
5-7 days |
|
Step 2 |
PAN/VAT Registration |
3-5 days |
|
Step 3 |
Ward Office Registration |
2-3 days |
|
Step 4 |
ECIS Portal Application & Document Upload |
1-2 days |
|
Step 5 |
MOSD Verification & Inspection Scheduling |
15-30 days |
|
Step 6 |
Final License Issuance |
5-10 days |
|
Total Timeline |
Complete Process |
30-100 days |
Delays typically occur during inspection scheduling and document verification phases.
Renewal Process for Education Consultancy License
Annual renewal of education consultancy license in Nepal is mandatory. The renewal must be completed within three months from the end of each fiscal year (before Ashoj end).
Annual Renewal Requirements
- Renewal application through ECIS portal
- Payment of renewal fee (NPR 5,000 per additional year)
- Updated counselor certificates (if expired)
- Current foreign university MOUs
- Annual compliance report
Late Renewal Penalties
- Within 3 months late: 25% penalty on renewal fee
- 3-6 months late: 50% penalty plus inspection required
- Beyond 6 months: License cancellation, reapplication required
Foreign Investment Rules for Education Consultancy
Foreign investors seeking to start education consultancy business in Nepal must note important restrictions. The Ministry of Social Development does not issue licenses to companies with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Permissible structures:
- Branch office or liaison office (no license for direct consultancy)
- Private limited company with local nominee director
- Maximum foreign ownership: 51%
Alternative approach: Foreign investors can establish a company with a Nepali citizen as the license holder while maintaining operational control through shareholder agreements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Registration
Many applications for education consultancy registration in Nepal get rejected due to common errors:
- Incomplete document submission: Missing notarization or signatures
- Inadequate office space: Less than 500 sq ft or residential location
- Unqualified counselors: No TITI certification or insufficient qualifications
- Invalid MOUs: Agreements with unrecognized institutions
- Short-term rent agreement: Less than 2-year commitment
- Incorrect ECIS portal entry: Data entry errors causing rejection
- Missing security deposit: NPR 100,000 deposit is mandatory
Tip: Professional legal assistance can reduce rejection risk by 80%.
Benefits of Proper Education Consultancy Registration
Registering your education consultancy business in Nepal provides numerous advantages:
- Legal protection from closure and penalties
- Trust building with students and parents
- University partnerships eligibility for formal MOUs
- Banking facilities for international transactions
- Government support programs and incentives
- Professional association membership (ECAN)
- Market credibility against unlicensed competitors
- Student confidence in service quality
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does education consultancy registration take in Nepal?
Answer: The complete process takes 30-100 working days, depending on document preparation and inspection scheduling. Company registration (5-7 days) and PAN registration (3-5 days) are fastest. MOSD inspection and verification (15-30 days) typically cause the most delays.
2. Is ECIS portal mandatory for Bagmati province education consultancy registration?
Answer: Yes. For Bagmati Province, the ECIS Bagmati portal (ecis.bagmati.gov.np) is the only accepted application method. Physical applications are not accepted by MOSD Hetauda.
3. What is the penalty for operating an education consultancy without a license?
Answer: Operating without a license carries fines of NPR 50,000-100,000, immediate closure orders, and blacklisting from university partnerships under the Consumer Protection Act 2075.
4. How much does an education consultancy license cost in Nepal?
Answer: Total costs range from NPR 1,75,000 to NPR 2,50,000, including government fees (NPR 15,000 application + NPR 100,000 refundable security deposit), legal documentation, and office setup.
5. Can foreigners own 100% of an education consultancy in Nepal?
Answer: No. The maximum foreign ownership allowed is 51%, and FDI companies cannot obtain education consultancy licenses. Foreign investors must use local nominee structures.
6. What qualifications are required for education counselors?
Answer: Each consultancy must have at least two counselors with bachelor's degrees and TITI Certification in educational counseling. Experience certificates and updated CVs are mandatory.
7. Is a 2-year rent agreement compulsory for registration?
Answer: Yes. MOSD requires a minimum 2-year rent agreement registered at the local ward office. Short-term agreements result in automatic rejection during inspection.
8. How often must the education consultancy license be renewed?
Answer: Licenses must be renewed annually within three months from the end of each fiscal year (before Ashoj end). Late renewal attracts penalties of 25-50% of the renewal fee.
9. What is the minimum office space requirement?
Answer: Minimum 500 square feet of office space is required, with separate counseling rooms, reception area, and proper signage. Residential locations are not permitted.
10. How can license status be verified in Nepal?
Answer: The education consultancy license check Nepal can be done through the ECIS portal where all licensed consultancies are listed. The Department of Commerce also maintains a public registry.
Need Professional Assistance for Education Consultancy Registration?
Starting an education consultancy business in Nepal involves complex legal procedures and strict compliance requirements. Professional guidance can save time, reduce costs, and ensure successful registration on the first attempt.
Our services include:
- Complete company registration at OCR
- ECIS portal application management
- Document preparation and verification
- MOSD inspection coordination
- License renewal services
- Ongoing compliance support
Contact us today for a consultation on how to start your education consultancy business in Nepal legally and efficiently.
Disclaimer: This guide is based on current regulations as of January 2026. Government policies and fees are subject to change. Verification with MOSD Hetauda is recommended before initiating registration.
Author: This article was prepared by legal and business registration experts with extensive experience in Nepal's education consultancy sector, referencing official government sources and ECIS portal guidelines.
