ICEF Agency Status (IAS)

Verified education agency identity for international student recruitment

View the IAS Directory

ICEF Agency Status (IAS) is a global accreditation framework for international education agencies. It provides institutions and partners with a clear, independent way to verify who an agency is and whether it meets baseline professional requirements to operate in international student recruitment.

IAS accreditation is based on verified agency information, institutional references, and acceptance of the ICEF Agency Code of Conduct. It signals that an agency has passed a structured review process that provides transparency and a common reference point across the sector.

With around 2,400 accredited agencies across more than 130 countries, IAS is an established accreditation framework used across a wide range of education sectors and markets.

Information for agencies, including eligibility criteria and application details, is available here.

Why IAS exists

International student recruitment relies on trust. Institutions need confidence in the agencies that represent them. Regulators and sector bodies need reliable building blocks that enable oversight without duplicating effort.

IAS was created to provide a consistent, reviewable accreditation layer that strengthens transparency across the global agent ecosystem, while complementing institutional due diligence and regulatory responsibility.

What IAS verifies

IAS focuses on eligibility and transparency rather than size, outcomes, or commercial performance.

As part of the accreditation process, ICEF verifies:
  • the agency’s legal identity and ownership
  • institutional references from education providers
  • acceptance of the ICEF Agency Code of Conduct
  • the agency’s public-facing presence and digital footprint
  • the authenticity of submitted information through structured review and identity checks

Accreditation is granted on an annual basis and remains subject to review. Not all applicants meet IAS eligibility requirements.

Maintaining standards and accountability

Accredited agencies are expected to operate in line with IAS requirements and the ICEF Agency Code of Conduct.

IAS is overseen by an independent Adjudication Board made up of experienced international education professionals from different sectors and regions. The Board provides impartial review in cases involving potential breaches of the Code of Conduct.

When a concern is raised, ICEF gathers relevant information, liaises with the parties involved, and presents the case to the Adjudication Board. The Board conducts its own impartial assessment and determines whether a breach has occurred and applies outcomes in accordance with IAS procedures. The process is designed to uphold standards while ensuring fairness, proportionality, and due process. Where necessary, matters may result in corrective measures or changes to IAS status.

Sector adoption and recognition

IAS is referenced by institutions and sector bodies across more than 50 countries, spanning higher education, language education, secondary education, vocational training, and related sectors.

Engagement is voluntary and global in scope. Many institutions reference IAS as a practical building block within their own quality assurance or partner engagement approaches.

Visibility and verification

Accredited agencies may choose to appear in the public IAS Directory, where institutions, students, and partners can verify current IAS status. Each accredited agency receives a digital IAS certificate, accessible via a QR code. This allows institutions, students, and other third parties to confirm whether an agency’s accreditation is valid and current.

If an agency’s IAS status lapses or is withdrawn, the certificate becomes invalid and verification links no longer confirm active status.

A global framework, locally relevant

By providing a clear, independently governed accreditation layer, ICEF Agency Status enables institutions, agencies, and partners to engage in international student recruitment with greater confidence and transparency across diverse markets and regulatory environments.

Agencies seeking ICEF Agency Status can review eligibility requirements and application guidance on the agency information page.