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Choosing an immigration adviser: what regulation to look for

· By London Solicitors Guide
A black suitcase and a dark coat on a hook in a bright hallway beside glazed double doors

If you need immigration advice, look for an adviser who is regulated. GOV.UK says all immigration advisers must be registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) or belong to an approved professional body. Solicitors are one route. This guide explains what that means, what advisers do, and what to ask before you pay.

The short answer

Only regulated advisers should give immigration advice. GOV.UK says all immigration advisers must be registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) or be a member of an approved professional body.

Solicitors are one route to a regulated adviser. If you want an immigration solicitor London UK wide, the Law Society is one place to start. However, you should still check any name yourself, because a claim on a website is not proof. Our immigration guide covers the topic in more detail.

Who may give immigration advice

The rule is simple to state. All immigration advisers must be registered with the IAA or belong to an approved professional body. GOV.UK also says you cannot get your money back if an adviser is not regulated. Therefore, check an adviser’s regulation before you pay anything.

Solicitors are one route. GOV.UK says you can find solicitors who give immigration advice through the Law Society of England and Wales. It names the Scottish and Northern Irish Law Societies as well. As a result, you have a few places to look, and you do not need to rely on one search.

The Law Society also runs a quality mark scheme. Its Immigration and Asylum Accreditation is a quality mark for practitioners who deal with visa and immigration issues. An Immigration Law Advanced Accreditation is available for complicated cases. A quality mark is a useful sign, but it does not replace a check of the register. Our guide on how to check a solicitor is regulated explains why.

What an adviser does and does not do

An adviser can help you with your case. GOV.UK says immigration advisers can help with most things to do with immigration. For example, they can explain your options and help you prepare your application.

However, advisers do not make immigration decisions, so they cannot decide the outcome of your case. Therefore, no adviser can honestly promise you a particular result for your application. If someone does promise one, treat that as a warning sign and ask them to explain.

This matters because it shapes what you can fairly expect. A good adviser will tell you what they can do and what they cannot. Ask them to put that in writing, since it avoids confusion later. Keep the document with your other papers, so you can refer back to it if your case changes.

Home Office fees

Home Office fees are official, and they are separate from what an adviser charges. The figures below apply from 8 April 2026. Fees change, so check GOV.UK before you apply.

  • A Student visa costs £558 for the main applicant and dependants, inside or outside the UK. The previous fee was £524.
  • Indefinite leave to remain costs £3,226 for the main applicant and dependants. The previous fee was £3,029.
  • Naturalisation as a British citizen costs £1,709, up from £1,605. A £130 citizenship ceremony fee applies where it is due.

Skilled Worker fees depend on the length of the certificate of sponsorship. For up to 3 years, the fee is £819 if you apply from outside the UK and £943 from inside. For over 3 years, it is £1,618 outside and £1,865 inside. Jobs on the Immigration Salary List cost less, at £628 for up to 3 years and £1,235 for over 3 years.

What advisers charge

This guide gives no adviser fee, because we hold no sourced range of prices. Prices vary, so ask each adviser for a written quote and check their website first. When you compare quotes, look at exactly what each one covers and excludes. However, the lowest total may leave out work that you actually need.

If cost worries you, look at free help as well. Our guide to free legal advice and legal aid in London explains the options. GOV.UK says legal aid might cover seeking asylum or being a victim of human trafficking, so ask whether your case fits.

Questions to ask an adviser

Good questions save trouble later, so ask them before you agree to any work. Write down the answers.

  • How are you regulated, and where can I confirm it? Ask for the name of the regulator, then check it yourself.
  • What does your quote cover? Ask what it includes and what could add to it.
  • Who will do the work? Ask who your main contact is and who covers when they are away.
  • How will you tell me about progress? Ask how often you will hear from them and by what method.

Written answers give you something to check against later. Once you have a name, look it up yourself. Our check-a-solicitor page explains the steps.

Frequently asked questions

Who can give immigration advice?
Only regulated advisers can give immigration advice. GOV.UK says all immigration advisers must be registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) or belong to an approved professional body. You cannot get your money back if an adviser is not regulated, so check before you pay. Ask the adviser for the name of their regulator.
Do immigration advisers decide my application?
No, they do not. GOV.UK says immigration advisers can help with most things to do with immigration, but they do not make immigration decisions. An adviser can explain your options and help you prepare. The decision itself is not theirs to make. Be careful of anyone who promises a result.
What are the Home Office fees for indefinite leave to remain?
From 8 April 2026, the Home Office fee for indefinite leave to remain is £3,226. This covers the main applicant and dependants. The previous fee was £3,029. Fees can change, so check GOV.UK before you apply. This is the Home Office fee only, and an adviser will charge separately.

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