What should you look for when choosing an immigration adviser? How do you check they are registered?

Who does this apply to?

• This is general information. It does not assess anyone's personal situation and does not recommend any adviser. It is for people thinking of hiring an adviser or lawyer for a UK immigration application. It is based on the GOV.UK "Find an immigration adviser" page and the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) page.

Who can give immigration advice?

• GOV.UK says all immigration advisers must be registered with the IAA or be members of an approved professional body.
• For solicitors and barristers GOV.UK lists the relevant bodies: The Law Society (England and Wales), the Law Society of Scotland, the Law Society of Northern Ireland, the Bar Council's Direct Access scheme (England and Wales), the Faculty of Advocates (Scotland) and the Bar of Northern Ireland.
• GOV.UK says advisers can help you complete application forms and represent you at a tribunal; but advisers do not make immigration decisions, the Home Office does.

What is the IAA?

• The Immigration Advice Authority is a public body sponsored by the Home Office. Its stated role is to protect people seeking immigration advice through regulation, enforcement and promoting best practice.
• Its page has an Adviser Register and an Adviser Finder. The "Find an immigration adviser" service on GOV.UK serves the same purpose.

How do you check registration?

1. On the GOV.UK Find an immigration adviser page, or in the IAA Adviser Finder, search for the adviser's name.
2. For a solicitor or barrister, check the register of the body they belong to (for example The Law Society).
3. GOV.UK says to check that the adviser is registered and whether they charge a fee before you use them. Ask for the fee and what it covers in writing.

The risk of an unregulated adviser

• GOV.UK says it plainly: you cannot get your money back if an adviser is not regulated.
• If you think you had a bad service, GOV.UK's complaints guidance says you can complain about an adviser. The page also links to a list of people banned from acting as immigration advisers.

Situations seen in groups

• Messages such as "I recommend this person" are common. A recommendation describes someone's experience; it does not verify registration. Still check the recommended person's registration in the ways above.
• Many people write that they made simple applications, such as a visitor visa, without an adviser. That is personal experience; the conditions of the application itself decide whether an adviser is needed.
• Official pages say free services (for example setting up a UKVI account) do not need payment. Be careful with anyone who asks for a fee for one.

Points to watch

• Official pages change. This post is a general summary.

What can you do?

• Open Find an immigration adviser.
• On the Immigration Advice Authority page, look for the Adviser Finder.