Choosing a study-abroad agency: how official lists help families and agencies work together
Most families who choose a U.S. boarding school work with an agent at some point — for choosing schools, applications, the I-20 and visa, and the first months in the U.S. When the family, the agent and the school work as one team, everyone does better. Here is what the official lists on USAnaru™'s agencies on official lists page show (checked 2026-10-15).
| List | Who runs it | Agencies on USAnaru™ | What membership means |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIRC | American International Recruitment Council (U.S.) | 74 in 21 countries | Certified for recruiting to U.S. institutions (shown while certified) |
| JAOS | Japan Association of Overseas Studies | 41 (33 mention the U.S.) | Full member of Japan's study-abroad association |
| KIEA | Korea International Education Association | 53 (32 handle the U.S.) | Certified member; uses standard study-abroad contract terms |
What the lists cover — and what to talk about together
A listing tells you an agency belongs to a professional body. Each agency's partner schools, services and fees are not on any list — they differ from agency to agency, and a good agent explains them openly in the first meeting.
Six good questions for a first meeting
- Which professional lists or associations are you part of?
- Which schools do you work with most, and how do you help families choose?
- Which services are included, and how are your fees set?
- How are you paid — by families, by schools, or both? (Both are common; knowing helps everyone plan.)
- What can we realistically expect, and which decisions stay with the school and the U.S. embassy?
- Who supports the student after arrival, during breaks and in an emergency? See U.S. guardians for boarding students.
For agencies: show your work on USAnaru™
Agencies can join USAnaru™ for free, keep a profile in five languages, and add the schools they work with. When a school confirms a partnership, it appears on both profiles and on the network map — a simple, trusted way for families to see your work.
Look at the school together
Each school on USAnaru™ shows its SEVP status (whether it can issue the I-20), tuition and deadlines, each with its source. For J-1 exchange programs, see how to check a J-1 sponsor.
Listings come from each body's public list. USAnaru™ is independent of AIRC, JAOS and KIEA and does not rank agencies.
Cite this article as: USAnaru™ — https://usanaru.com/news/check-a-study-abroad-agency-official-lists
Questions
What does an AIRC, JAOS or KIEA listing mean?
The agency meets that body's certification or membership standards — a good sign of commitment to professional practice. Services, fees and partner schools differ by agency and are best talked through directly.
How can I see which boarding schools an agency works with?
Ask the agency — most are glad to share. On USAnaru™, partnerships confirmed by both the agency and the school appear on profiles and on the network map.
Related documents
Sources
- Certified agencies by country — American International Recruitment Council (AIRC)
- JAOS members — Japan Association of Overseas Studies (JAOS)
- KIEA certified members — Korea International Education Association (KIEA)
- J-1 Visa — designated sponsor search — U.S. Department of State
General information as of Oct 15, 2026, not legal, immigration or admissions advice. Each school, the U.S. Department of State and SEVP decide; check the school's own pages and official sources before you act.
