Who can provide immigration advice?
It is unlawful for an unqualified person to provide immigration advice or services directly to an individual in the UK. Providing general information or signposting a person to a legal representative is not classed as providing immigration advice. Only the following people CAN provide immigration advice:
- An immigration adviser who is registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) – only at the level they are registered at.
- A solicitor who is registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (England and Wales), Law Society of Scotland or Law Society of Northern Ireland.
- A barrister who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (England and Wales), Faculty of Advocates (Scotland), or the Bar Council of Northern Ireland.
Find an immigration adviser- gov.uk
Legal Aid
In England and Wales legal aid is funded by the UK Government to enable people who have a low income to access free legal advice. Legal aid (help to pay for legal advice) is available for asylum cases. A solicitor can explain this, and what they can do under legal aid. If they do not have a legal aid contract they should refer an asylum seeker to a firm that does.