Who this page is for
- Clients checking credentials before instruction.
- Users comparing regulated vs unregulated advisory options.
- Applicants needing clarity on what OISC levels 1, 2, and 3 are permitted to do.
Services / Service Process
Regulated Advice and Professional Membership
How to verify adviser regulation status and professional membership for confidence in case handling standards.
Detailed guidance
OISC Levels: Summary of Permitted Work
The source page provides an OISC level summary showing what immigration work may be undertaken at levels 1, 2, and 3.
Level 1 is limited to basic in-rules applications, including employment and points-based-system matters.
Level 2 extends to discretionary/complex applications, out-of-time applications, concessionary-policy work, notices of appeal and statements of additional grounds, plus certain UKBA representations and temporary-admission/CIO-bail steps.
Level 3 includes complex applications and substantive appeal representation at First-tier and Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) hearings, alongside wider enforcement/deportation-case representation.
- Level 1 not permitted: enforcement (bail/detention/removal/banning), lodging notices of appeal/substantive appeal work, and illegal entrant/overstayer/removal/deportation casework.
- Level 2 not permitted: substantive appeal representation before courts/tribunals and Immigration Judge bail applications.
- Level 3: includes Immigration Judge bail and substantive tribunal appeal representation.
What the Source Means by 'Immigration'
The source text defines immigration work broadly as covering entry clearance visas, further leave, ILR, British citizenship, EU/EEA applications, variation applications, and points-based-system casework for employers, employees, and students.
It also includes complex family and protection-adjacent case types such as child-access issues, sole-carer matters, domestic-violence victims, and bereaved-partner cases.
It expressly notes that advisers at levels 1 and 2 are not authorized for the full range of level 3 work.
Regulator Role and Compliance
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) is described as the statutory regulator for immigration advisers in the UK.
The source text states OISC also handles complaints concerning poor work or non-performance by advisers.
It notes regulator audits for Code of Practice compliance, including confidentiality of client personal information.
The source also states all OISC advisers must complete annual continuing professional development requirements to maintain registration.
Providing immigration advice without required registration (unless authorized as a practising solicitor/barrister/legal executive) is described as a criminal offence, as is working above registered level.
Progression and Examination Route
The source text states progression from level 1 to level 2 and then to level 3 requires passing the respective examinations and full prior-level coverage.
It also notes some level 1 advisers are qualified only in selected areas (for example entry clearance only), so they may not be permitted to handle citizenship work.
An additional source note states the service does not undertake asylum work.
Verification Links
Clients can verify representative status through the OISC public register and relevant professional membership listings before instruction.
The source content also references ILPA as a professional reference point alongside OISC verification.
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