The Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) is the government regulator for UK immigration advice. It ensures that only suitably qualified organisations and individuals are authorised to provide immigration advice, currently regulating more than 3,700 advisers and 2,000 organisations.
The IAA sets and upholds professional standards, promotes good practice and investigates complaints. It has powers to discipline, restrict or remove advisers, enter premises, seize records and prosecute those offering or advertising immigration advice illegally. Legal professionals such as solicitors and barristers remain regulated by their own professional bodies.
Originally established under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and rebranded from the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner in January 2025, the IAA’s main responsibilities are to:
assess and register immigration advisers
audit advisers to ensure standards are maintained
investigate complaints and take enforcement action against unregulated advice
oversee the regulation of solicitors and barristers providing immigration advice in Scotland and Northern Ireland
The IAA does not provide immigration advice or recommend specific advisers. Its role is to protect the public by ensuring access to reliable, regulated services and by disrupting illegal advice.
The IAA commits to treating all people with dignity and respect, protecting personal information, communicating in clear language and keeping individuals updated on the progress of complaints. It publishes details of organisations that are suspended or removed from the regulatory scheme and aims to respond promptly to all queries.
