Are you using a regulated immigration adviser?

In the UK it is illegal for anyone to give immigration advice or services without being regulated.

Suzanne McCarthy, the Immigration Services Commissioner, warns, “For your own protection, make sure your adviser is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) or in England and Wales by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Bar Council or the Institute of Legal Executives. As the Immigration Services Commissioner I ensure that only fit and competent people are allowed to work as OISC regulated immigration advisers. There are just under 2,000 OISC regulated organisations currently operating in the UK.”

Mrs McCarthy also advises that, “All OISC advisers must keep up to date with relevant law and the immigration rules, abide by the Commissioner’s Code of Standards and Rules and maintain proper records”.

If you are considering using someone to give you immigration advice:
Check that the person is regulated. You can do this by going to the OISC’s website www.oisc.gov.uk and clicking on „Find an adviser’
Look for the OISC certificate and OISC global tick logo – these are only issued to OISC approved advisers, and both should be on prominent display at the adviser’s premises.
Remember that no one can guarantee that your application will be approved – even if you use a regulated immigration adviser.

The OISC as a regulator does not itself give immigration advice.
The OISC also handles complaints about immigration advisers. All complaints received are treated as confidential. Mrs McCarthy suggests that, “If you are unhappy with the services of your immigration adviser, you can complain to the OISC. Making a complaint will not affect any application you have made or intend to make to the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA)”.

For Information visit www.oisc.gov.uk or call 020 7211 1500 or 0845 000 0046.