OISC vs SRA: Understanding Immigration Adviser Regulation in the UK

Understanding the difference between OISC-regulated immigration advisers and SRA-regulated immigration solicitors is important when choosing who to trust with your case. Our Bolton immigration solicitors explain the regulatory landscape.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

The SRA regulates all solicitors and law firms in England and Wales. To become a solicitor, a person must complete a law degree or Graduate Diploma in Law, a period of professional training, and pass qualifying assessments. Immigration solicitors are regulated to the same standard as any other solicitor and have the widest range of powers — including litigation rights and the ability to hold client money in regulated accounts.

The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC)

The OISC regulates non-solicitor immigration advisers. Advisers must pass competency assessments and be registered at one of three levels: Level 1 (straightforward applications only), Level 2 (appeals and more complex work), Level 3 (the most complex matters). Only Level 3 advisers may handle the full range of immigration matters.

Barristers in Immigration Law

Barristers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Immigration barristers often specialise in tribunal and court advocacy. Through the Direct Access scheme, you can instruct a barrister directly without going through a solicitor, though for most immigration cases, a solicitor is the primary point of contact.

Unregulated “Ghost Advisers”

Unregistered immigration advisers operate illegally. They are not accountable to any regulator, carry no professional indemnity insurance, and have no right to conduct immigration work. Using a ghost adviser can result in catastrophic damage to your case — forged documents, missed deadlines, failed applications — with no legal recourse.

How to Check Credentials

Verify any adviser via the SRA online register (sra.org.uk) or OISC register (gov.uk/find-immigration-adviser). Ask for their registration number and check it directly.