How to Become an Immigration Adviser in the UK
Immigration advisers help people and employers with UK immigration applications: work and family visas, sponsor licences, settlement, citizenship and, at higher levels, appeals, asylum and human rights cases. You check eligibility against the Immigration Rules, gather evidence, prepare applications and explain the process clearly.
Giving immigration advice in the UK is regulated by law. You must either be registered with the Immigration Advice Authority, formerly the OISC, or be qualified and regulated as a solicitor, barrister or CILEX lawyer. Most advisers start at Level 1 and progress.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £25,000 - £32,000
- Mid-career salary
- £35,000 - £55,000
- Senior salary
- £60,000 - £100,000
- Work environment
- Office or hybrid
- Time to entry
- 1 - 3 years (OISC levels or law route)
- Degree required
- Not required
- Category
- Business, Finance and Legal
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: High-paying careers, No-degree careers, Career change.
What a Immigration Adviser does
Help people and employers navigate UK visa, sponsorship and citizenship applications.
- OISC Level 1 Adviser - Initial immigration advice for individuals.
- OISC Level 2/3 Adviser - Complex casework including appeals.
- Business Immigration - Sponsor licences and skilled worker visas.
- Asylum and Human Rights - Asylum and appeals work in legal aid firms.
How to become an immigration adviser in the UK
The non-lawyer route is to register with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), which is what the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) was renamed in 2025. You pass a competence assessment at Level 1, then can move up to Level 2 casework and Level 3 advocacy and representation. Most advisers work for a regulated firm or charity, which must itself be registered. The alternative is to qualify as a solicitor through the SQE, as a barrister, or as a CILEX lawyer with immigration rights, then specialise. Paralegal or caseworker roles under a supervisor are a common first job.
- Read the Immigration Rules and Home Office guidance for common routes, such as Skilled Worker, family visas and settlement, to see if the casework suits you.
- Get a caseworker, paralegal or legal assistant job at an immigration law firm or advice charity, working under a regulated adviser.
- Study for and pass the Immigration Advice Authority Level 1 competence assessment, and register through a regulated organisation.
- Build a file of supervised cases, then apply to progress to Level 2 for more complex casework and Level 3 for appeals work.
- Keep up to date with frequent rule changes through the IAA's continuing professional development requirements and Home Office updates.
- Choose a specialism such as business immigration, family and settlement, or asylum and human rights, or qualify as a solicitor for wider practice.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAA Level 1, then Levels 2 and 3 | 1-3 years | Assessment and registration fees | Non-lawyers and career changers |
| Caseworker at a regulated firm | 1-2 years | Paid while you learn | Graduates and paralegals |
| Qualify as a solicitor via the SQE | 3-6 years | Varies by provider | People wanting full legal practice |
How long it takes
With supervised casework experience, you can register at Level 1 within months. Reaching Level 2 or Level 3 typically takes one to three years, while qualifying as a solicitor takes longer.
Immigration Adviser salary in the UK
Immigration advisers and caseworkers usually start on around £25,000 to £32,000. Experienced advisers earn £35,000 to £55,000, and senior specialists, managers and business immigration experts can earn £60,000 to £100,000. Pay is highest in corporate immigration at law firms and global mobility teams, especially in London. Charity and legal aid work usually pays less but offers strong casework experience. Self-employed advisers must run a regulated business and their income depends on fees and client volume.
Key skills
- Immigration rules
- Client comms
- Casework
- Empathy
- Drafting
Immigration Adviser FAQs
How do I become an immigration adviser in the UK?
Either register with the Immigration Advice Authority by passing its Level 1 competence assessment and working through a regulated organisation, or qualify as a solicitor, barrister or CILEX lawyer. Most people start as caseworkers under supervision.
Do I need a law degree to be an immigration adviser?
No. The IAA route does not require a degree, but you must pass its competence assessments and be regulated. A law degree helps if you want to qualify as a solicitor or barrister, which lets you advise on immigration and other areas of law.
How much does an immigration adviser earn?
Starting salaries are typically £25,000 to £32,000. Experienced advisers earn £35,000 to £55,000, and senior or business immigration specialists can earn £60,000 to £100,000. Corporate immigration in London pays the most, while charity and legal aid work usually pays less.
Is it illegal to give immigration advice without being registered?
Yes. Giving immigration advice or services in the UK without being regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority, or exempt as a regulated lawyer, is a criminal offence. This protects people from unqualified advisers, so always work under or through a regulated organisation.
Is Immigration Adviser right for you?
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Not sure immigration adviser is the right career for you? A good career test narrows the field before you spend money retraining.