Sending Your Child to Study Abroad: A Parents' Guide for Nepali Families (2027)

What should parents check before choosing a country and university?

Sending a child abroad is a big decision, and the good news is that each major study destination keeps a public, official list of approved schools. You can check a university yourself in a few minutes, without relying on anyone's word.

The short version: before you pay any money, confirm that the school appears on the government list for that country. If it does not appear, stop and ask why.

How do I check that a university is legitimate?

Use the official register for the country. Each one is run by the government, not by an agent or a university.

• UK: The Register of Student sponsors on GOV.UK lists institutions "licensed to sponsor migrant students under the Student and Child Student routes." It is a downloadable file that shows the route each institution can sponsor and its rating.
• US: SEVP (the Student and Exchange Visitor Program) certifies schools that may enroll international students. Search for the school on the Study in the States website run by the Department of Homeland Security.
• Canada: The designated learning institutions (DLI) list on Canada.ca names the schools cleared to enroll international students. IRCC says you need a letter of acceptance from a DLI to apply for a study permit.
• Australia: CRICOS (the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) lists the providers and courses open to students on a student visa. It has a course search and an institution search.

Also check the course, not only the school. In Australia, CRICOS lists courses as well as institutions, so look for the exact course your child plans to take.

How do I tell a trustworthy education consultancy from a risky one?

A consultancy helps with applications, but it does not decide whether a visa is granted. Only the government does. Be careful with anyone who says otherwise.

A responsible consultancy will usually:

1. Give you a written fee agreement before you pay anything, showing what each fee is for and what is refundable.
2. Tell you which fees go to the university or the government (these are paid by you directly or with receipts) and which are the consultancy's own service charge.
3. Show you the official register entry for the school it recommends.
4. Let your child and you read every form before it is submitted, and give you copies of everything.
5. Explain the risks honestly, including that a visa can be refused.

Please be cautious about anyone who promises a guaranteed visa, asks for payment in cash with no receipt, asks you to sign blank forms, or asks you to prepare documents that are not true. False documents can lead to a visa refusal and a bad record for years.

You can read about how we describe our own process on our page about the top education consultancy in Nepal, and ask us any of these questions in a free counseling session at /register.

What does the total money picture look like?

Families usually think of tuition first, but the full cost has several parts:

• Tuition set by the university
• Visa or study permit fees set by the government
• Proof of funds that your child must show for living costs (this is held, not spent)
• Health cover or health charges, which differ by country
• Travel, accommodation and daily costs
• Nepal's own charges on foreign-exchange payments for education

These numbers change by country, city and year, so we do not repeat them here. Use our comparison, study abroad visa costs compared: UK, USA, Canada and Australia, and the country guides, such as the UK student visa cost guide and the full cost of studying in the UK from Nepal.

A practical tip: ask for the total in writing for the whole course, not only the first year, and plan for the exchange rate moving.

How many hours can students work abroad?

Many families hope part-time work will help with costs. It can help, but it has strict limits, and breaking them can put the visa at risk. Parents should treat work as a bonus, not as the plan for paying fees.

In Canada, IRCC says that working more than 24 hours a week during term breaks the study permit conditions. In the US, ask the school's international student office before accepting any job.

We could not open the UK and Australian official pages that list exact hours, so we do not quote a number for them. Always read the conditions on the actual visa.

What health cover do students need?

Health cover is not optional in some countries, and it is built into the visa cost.

• UK: Most people pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their online application. According to GOV.UK, paying it lets you use the NHS free of charge from the date your visa starts, though some services, such as prescriptions, dental treatment and eye tests, still have charges. Our UK visa cost guide shows the current amount.
• Australia: Students normally need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the length of the visa. We could not open the Home Affairs page, so check the exact rule and the approved providers on the Home Affairs website before buying a policy.
• US and Canada: Rules and insurance differ by school and province. Ask the university's international office what is included in the fees and what you must buy yourself.

Before your child leaves, ask the university in writing what health cover is included, what it does not cover, and how to claim.

How can parents stay involved without taking over?

Your child is the visa applicant, but you are the family who will support them. A few habits help:

• Sit in the meetings with the consultancy and the university, and ask the questions in this guide.
• Keep a shared folder with copies of offer letters, receipts, fee agreements and visa documents.
• Pay the university directly where possible, and keep proof of every payment.
• Agree a communication plan for the first month abroad, including emergency contacts and the address of the accommodation.
• Learn the work and visa conditions together, so your child knows the limits and does not feel pressure to break them.
• Talk about money early, including what your family can send if there is an emergency.

After arrival, most universities have an international student office. Encourage your child to register with it and to ask for help early, not late.

Where should we start?

Start with the destination page for the country you are considering, such as study in the UK, study in Canada or study in Australia, then check the school on the official register. If you would like to talk it through as a family, you can book free counseling at /register.