OISC rebrands as the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA)
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) has today announced its transformation to the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), marking a significant evolution in the regulation of immigration advice services in the UK.
The IAA’s mission is to protect seekers of immigration advice through regulation, enforcement, and promoting best practice. This strategic rebrand marks the organisation’s evolution into a high-performing, outward-focused entity with strengthened capabilities and expertise. It underscores its expanded role in addressing the complex challenges of the UK’s immigration landscape.
All immigration advisers with existing OISC registrations, including Smith Stone Walters, will seamlessly transition to become IAA regulated advisors from today. The rebrand does not affect our clients and does not change how we can provide regulated immigration advice to businesses and individuals.
What is the role of the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA)?
The IAA is a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Home Office. A non-departmental public body is an organisation that has a role in the processes of national government, but is not a government department and operates at arms-length from Ministers.
The primary role of the IAA is to protect vulnerable individuals from unregulated advisers while ensuring the provision of high-quality immigration advice across the UK.
The IAA has a new leadership structure, enhanced workforce and strengthened processes, and will focus on three core objectives:
- Regulation: Ensuring compliance with established standards for registered immigration advisers.
- Enforcement: Disrupting illegal advice-giving activities that undermine the integrity of the immigration system.
- Promoting best practice: Developing the immigration advice sector, working in partnership with advisers and stakeholders.
The transition to the IAA will take effect from Thursday 16 January 2025. All existing OISC registrations and arrangements remain valid.
To learn more about the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) and its role in regulating immigration advice in the UK, please visit its new website here.
Why use an IAA regulated immigration advisor?
When choosing an immigration advisor to support you with a UK visa or settlement application or when seeking legal advice on immigration related matters, it is important to look for a regulated practice. This is to protect you and to ensure you receive a high standard of service.
It is illegal for anyone who is not UK regulated or qualified to give immigration advice. All regulated immigration advisers must follow certain codes and guidelines that are set out by the IAA, to ensure their clients receive a high standard of work.
Smith Stone Walters has been a regulated immigration advisor under the old OISC regulatory scheme ever since our business was founded in 2001. From today, our registration remains in place under the new IAA regulatory scheme.
You can use the IAA Adviser Finder tool to find a registered adviser near you.
Seeking reliable UK immigration advice? Speak to Smith Stone Walters
It is not an essential requirement to consult an immigration adviser, and there is no reason why you cannot submit an application yourself. However, seeking the advice of a specialist is strongly advised if you have a complex case, or if you just want to ensure your application has the best chance of succeeding.
If you are looking for immigration advice, perhaps your first call should be to Smith Stone Walters. With over 20 years of service, there is not much we haven’t seen before. No matter how large or small your case is, we pride ourselves on providing a first-class service to all our clients.
To find out more, please contact us today.
