Giving immigration advice in the UK is a regulated activity. In the Immigration Advice Authority's own words, it is illegal for an unregulated adviser to provide you with immigration advice or services. And gov.uk states plainly that you cannot get your money back if an adviser is not regulated. So before you pay anyone, spend two minutes checking the register yourself — it is free.
Where to look them up
IAA Register — Immigration Advice Authority
The official register for checking whether a particular adviser or organisation really is regulated. This is the page you want.
You can search by the organisation's name, by the adviser's name, or by the organisation's 10-character IAA number — it looks like F123456789 or N123456789. Ask your adviser for that number. Anyone who refuses to give it, or keeps putting it off, should not be given your money.
IAA Adviser Finder — find a registered adviser near you
For finding a regulated adviser near you. You can also filter by whether they charge a fee or advise for free.
⚠ One thing matters here: the IAA itself says this search only returns organisations that asked to be included. So someone's absence from it does not prove they are unregulated — use the IAA Register above for that check.
Prohibited or suspended immigration advisers — GOV.UK
The official list of people who are banned from acting as immigration advisers.
If you have any doubt about someone, check this list too. Finding a name here settles the matter — do not give that person a penny.
Solicitors Regulation Authority — Solicitors Register (England and Wales)
The official register of solicitors in England and Wales. A solicitor does not need separate IAA registration — the SRA is their regulator.
Search their full name and the name of the firm, and check that they hold a current practising certificate.
Find a Solicitor — The Law Society (England and Wales)
For finding solicitors in England and Wales who do immigration work.
Search by area and by area of work (immigration).
Find a Solicitor — Law Society of Scotland
Scotland has its own separate register of solicitors.
If you are in Scotland, this is the register that applies to you.
Find a Solicitor — Law Society of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has its own separate register.
If you are in Northern Ireland, look here. The same body also publishes an immigration guidance page.
The directory of CILEx-regulated legal professionals — another recognised regulator.
If someone says they are CILEx-regulated, check them here.
Free help — try this before you pay anyone
Not-fee-charging advisers on the IAA Adviser Finder
The IAA search has a field called "Fee Charging or Not Fee Charging". Set it to "Not Fee Charging" and it will show only regulated organisations that do not charge. Regulated free immigration advice does exist in the UK — look for that first, before you think about paying.
Citizens Advice gives free, independent advice on money, housing, benefits and problems at work. Check what your local office covers before you go.
Acas gives free advice on employment rights and workplace disputes, and runs a helpline. Use it before you agree to anything at work you are unsure about.
Migrant Help supports people seeking asylum and survivors of trafficking, free of charge. The site explains what it covers and how to contact it.
The Fair Work Agency enforces employment law and acts against exploitation at work. Its gov.uk page explains what it does and how to report a problem. The old Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority address, gla.gov.uk, now redirects here.
Warning signs
- Anyone who "guarantees" a visa or permit. Nobody can guarantee an outcome — the decision belongs to the Home Office, not to an adviser.
- They refuse to give their IAA number (10 characters beginning with F or N) or their SRA number, or keep putting it off.
- They are not on any register at all. Remember: it is illegal in the UK for an unregulated person to give immigration advice, and money paid to one does not come back.
- They ask for cash and will not give a receipt or a written agreement (a client care letter).
- They keep your original passport or BRP. No adviser needs to hold your original documents.
- They get you to sign blank forms, or something you cannot read.
- They charge you for things you can do yourself for nothing — checking someone on a register, or downloading an official form.
What it should cost
Fees are not fixed and differ from adviser to adviser. We print no figure here because we have no official schedule for one. Before any work starts, get a written estimate with each item listed separately, and make it clear whether the Home Office fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge are included or extra. Those government charges are a separate thing from the adviser's own fee.
If it has already happened to you
Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud)
The official place to report fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you live in Scotland, report by calling 101 instead.
If someone is giving immigration advice without being allowed to, or a regulated adviser has treated you badly, tell the regulator directly.
Complain about an immigration adviser — GOV.UK
The official page sets out the complaint route step by step.