Choosing a consultant

First Visit to a Study Abroad Consultancy in Dhanmondi: Checklist

6 min read · Checked against official sources in October 2026

Before you go: book a time and plan the trip

Call or email first so a counsellor is free for you. The IGC office is at Raisa Bhaban (5th Floor), 100/A, Sukrabad, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1207. You can call 01335-185486 or write to contact@igcstudy.app. Tell them which country or course you are thinking about and whether you have taken IELTS, so the counsellor can prepare for your case.

For the journey, type the full address into a map app and check the route on the day. Ride-sharing, bus, CNG and rickshaw all work in Dhaka, but traffic can be heavy, so leave early. When you reach the area, call the office for the last part of the way. We have not listed landmarks here because we cannot verify them from an official source.

If a parent or sponsor will take part in decisions, ask them to come too. It saves time later.

Carry a charged phone, a pen and a small notebook. Write down names, dates and anything you are told about fees.

Documents to bring

Bring photocopies and keep the originals in your bag. A good counsellor can start with copies. Why so many papers? Universities and visa offices judge your academic record, your English level and your money, and a counsellor can only advise honestly if they can see all three. A missing document is easier to fix before you apply than after.

• Passport, or your NID or birth certificate if you do not have a passport yet.
• SSC and HSC certificates and transcripts.
• University transcripts, if you have studied at a university.
• IELTS or other test results. Ask how old a result may be for the course you want.
• A rough budget: what your family can spend each year, and what is saved.
• Sponsor details: who will pay, their relationship to you, their work and the type of funds.

Questions to ask the counsellor

Write your questions down, because it is easy to forget them in the room. Also ask the counsellor to explain any term you do not understand, such as offer letter, deposit, solvency or proof of funds. A clear adviser is happy to explain in plain language.

• Which countries and courses suit my results and budget, and why?
• What are the official fees and funds I must show? Where can I check them myself?
• What do you charge, for which services, and when? Can I have this in writing?
• What happens to my payment if a university or a visa office says no?
• Who will handle my file, and how will you update me?
• What could go wrong with my profile, such as a study gap or a low score?

What a free profile assessment covers

A free profile assessment is a first conversation. The counsellor reads your results, test scores, study gaps and budget, then talks through realistic options. You should leave knowing which documents are missing, which tests you may need, and a rough timeline. You do not need exact budget figures. An honest range helps the counsellor avoid suggesting options your family cannot support.

• Your academic record and English test status.
• Your budget and sponsor position.
• Countries and courses that match your goals, with risks explained.
• The next steps and the official pages where you can check each rule.

Signs of a meeting that is going wrong

A good first meeting feels like a conversation, not a sale. Be careful if you notice any of these. If you feel uneasy, you can stop, thank them and leave. A reliable adviser will understand.

• Someone promises admission, a visa or a scholarship before reading your file.
• You are told to pay today because a seat or an offer will disappear.
• Fees are not explained, or the answers change when you ask again.
• The adviser will not put anything in writing.
• You are told to hide a study gap, a refusal or a low score.
• The adviser talks about only one country or one university, whatever your profile.

What not to hand over at a first meeting

Trust is built slowly, so at the first visit keep the following with you. Handing over originals is the most common mistake. A university or visa office will ask for them later, and by then you will know exactly which ones are needed and why.

• Your original passport and certificates. If a file must be kept, ask for a signed receipt listing each document.
• Online banking passwords, card PINs and one-time codes. A genuine adviser never needs them.
• Signed blank forms or blank papers.
• Cash without a written receipt, or any payment before the services and refund terms are in writing.
• Documents that are not true. Never agree to a made-up bank statement, job letter or certificate.

After the meeting

Go home and compare what you heard with the official pages. For example, the UK government says Student visa applicants must hold their funds for 28 days in a row. Canada lists living costs of 23,448 CAD a year for one person outside Quebec if you apply on or after 1 September 2026, plus tuition and travel. These numbers change, so use them only as examples and check the current page.

This is why sponsor and bank details matter in the first meeting. A counsellor cannot say whether your funds will work without knowing who pays and how. Ask for a written summary of the advice and the fees, and take a few days if you need to.

If you decide to go ahead, read the service agreement slowly. Check what is included, which fees are due at each stage, and what the refund terms say. Ask a family member who is not in a hurry to read it with you.

At IGC, a counsellor will go through your profile with you, explain what we can and cannot confirm, and will not promise an admission, a visa or a scholarship.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an appointment before visiting?

It is better to book. Call 01335-185486 or email contact@igcstudy.app so a counsellor is free to give you proper time, and you can confirm the address and which documents to bring.

Should I bring my original certificates?

Bring photocopies, and keep the originals with you. Show an original only when it is asked for. If anyone needs to keep an original, ask for a signed receipt that lists every document.

Is a free profile assessment really free?

Ask before you sit down whether there is any charge and what the assessment covers. A free assessment should not require payment or a signed contract. Ask for any fees and services in writing.

Can I decide on the first day?

You do not have to. Take notes, compare options and check the official pages yourself. A good adviser will give you time, and will not pressure you to pay on the spot.

To start, book a free profile assessment with IGC and bring the documents listed above. We will tell you honestly where your profile is strong and where it needs work.