Immigration advisers are only allowed to give you advice on things they’re qualified to help you with. You can see what advice they can give you by their ‘level’. There are 3 levels. Check an immigration adviser is allowed to give you the advice you need before you use them. Only a level 3 adviser can appear on your behalf at an immigration tribunal. Level 1 - advice and assistance A level 1 adviser can give you advice on simple cases, for example getting a business visa extension when you have no problems with work and all necessary documents. Level 1 advisers can advise you on: entry clearance leave to enter leave to remain nationality and citizenship EU and EEA law Level 2 - casework Level 2 advisers can do everything that Level 1 advisers can do, but can also accept more complicated cases. You may want to use a level 2 adviser if you’ve had problems in the past with immigration and want permission to remain in the UK. Advisers in this category can also help: with claims for asylum and human rights applications get your visa application decision reviewed ( an ‘administrative review’ ) if you entered the UK illegally or stayed after your visa expired if you’re being removed or deported Level 3 - advocacy and representation Level 3 advisers can do everything that Level 1 and 2 advisers can. They can also appear on your behalf at an immigration tribunal. In certain situations they can help you if you go to court. Find out more about adviser levels Find out more about what advisers can do at each level .

When you hire an immigration adviser: find out how much they charge and if you’ll have to pay them get a signed and dated receipt if you pay them any money ask how much you’ll have to pay if you decide you do not want to use them any more agree a fee before they do any extra work for you Some advisers do not charge a fee. If they do not charge, you’ll still have to pay for any expenses like translation costs and application fees. Legal aid can help pay for legal advice or representation at a court or tribunal - check if you’re eligible . Your adviser must give you a letter immediately after you hire them saying: what work they’re doing for you how much you’ll be charged how you’ll pay them

Complain about an adviser

You can complain to the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner ( OISC ) about either: bad service you received from an adviser registered with OISC immigration advice you received from an unregulated person You can also ask someone to make a complaint on your behalf, for example a friend, solicitor or voluntary organisation. There’s a different way to complain about a legal adviser registered with a professional body but not regulated by OISC. What you can and cannot complain about You can complain about: poor advice or service unreasonable fees an adviser claiming you’ll be successful an adviser charging for work not done an adviser missing deadlines or failing to appear in court an adviser You cannot make a complaint about: how long your immigration application has taken something that’s already part of an ongoing legal action a refund or compensation Home Office staff a person or organisation outside the UK You usually cannot make a complaint about something that happened more than 12 months ago - OISC will decide whether or not to investigate depending on the situation. OISC may refer your complaint elsewhere if you complain about a solicitor or barrister. Read more about how OISC deals with complaints . How to complain about an adviser regulated by OISC The easiest way to complain is to: download and fill in the complaints form include any documents that are relevant with your complaint send the complaints form and documents to complaints@oisc.gov.uk or by post to the Complaints Team Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner Complaints Team OISC PO Box 567 Dartford DA1 9XW The form is available in different languages and your complaint can be translated if needed. You can get help from OISC staff to fill in the complaints form, but they cannot write your complaint for you. Complain by letter You can also make a complaint by sending a letter or email. You need to provide as much detail as you can about who you’re making the complaint against and what the complaint is about. Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner Email: complaints@oisc.gov.uk Telephone: 0345 000 0046 Find out about call charges Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner Complaints Team OISC PO Box 567 Dartford DA1 9XW How to complain about an unregulated adviser You can email OISC to report someone giving immigration advice who is not regulated by either OISC or another approved body . OISC info@oisc.gov.uk Get help with your complaint You can get support and advice from: Refugee Council England Welsh Refugee Council Scottish Refugee Council Citizens Advice Northern Ireland What happens next You’ll get a letter with a decision on your case within 5 months of making your complaint. OISC may decide to: take action against the adviser, for example warn the adviser about their conduct refer the complaint, for example if it’s about a solicitor or barrister

Find an immigration adviser

Search for an adviser

You can get immigration advice from an immigration adviser if you need help with getting permission to stay in the UK.

Immigration advisers can help you with most things to do with immigration, including helping you to fill in the right forms and representing you at a tribunal. They do not make immigration decisions.

Check if the adviser is registered and if they charge a fee before you use them.

If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you might still be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020. The deadline to apply for most people was 30 June 2021. You can apply if you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for not applying by the deadline - for example, you had an illness or were the victim of domestic abuse.

Find a registered immigration adviser

Use the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) Adviser Finder to find a registered adviser near you.

All immigration advisers must be registered with OISC or be a member of an approved professional body.

If you want legal help

You can find solicitors who give immigration advice through:

The Law Society if you live in England or Wales
The Law Society of Scotland
The Law Society of Northern Ireland

A solicitor can help manage your case and find a barrister.

If you’re managing your own case but want legal advice or advocacy, you can find a barrister through:

The Bar Council’s Direct Access scheme if you live in England or Wales
The Faculty of Advocates if you live in Scotland
The Bar of Northern Ireland

Make a complaint

You can complain about an immigration adviser if you think you’ve had a bad service.

You cannot get your money back if an adviser is not regulated.

Suspended immigration advisers

You can see a list of people who are banned from acting as immigration advisers.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Find an immigration adviser

Search for an adviser

Find a registered immigration adviser

If you want legal help

Make a complaint

Suspended immigration advisers

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Find an immigration adviser

Search for an adviser

Find a registered immigration adviser

If you want legal help

Make a complaint

Suspended immigration advisers

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