Getting immigration advice safely

How to find a regulated adviser and what to check before you pay.

The short answer

In the UK, giving immigration advice is a regulated activity. Only registered advisers, or members of approved bodies such as solicitors, can do it. Use the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) Adviser Finder to find a regulated adviser. If you use an unregulated adviser, you may not be able to get your money back if things go wrong.

Where to find a regulated adviser

The IAA Adviser Finder lists registered advisers by area, and its register shows who is currently registered.
Solicitors are regulated by the Law Society in England and Wales, the Law Society of Scotland, or the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
Some charities and law centres give free advice, see our free help page.

Checking an adviser before you pay

Check that they are on the IAA register or are a regulated solicitor.
Ask what they charge, and what is included, before you agree anything.
Be careful of anyone who promises a guaranteed result, or who asks for large payments in cash.
Check the list of banned or suspended advisers published by the government.
You can complain to the IAA about an adviser's conduct.

Why we do not give immigration advice

Sterlingsum explains money, tax and benefits in plain English. We do not give advice about visas, applications or whether someone qualifies to stay. Those questions depend on your own facts, and the wrong answer can be serious, so they belong with a regulated adviser.

Where to learn more

This guide is for general information only and is not immigration, legal, tax or financial advice. Your own situation depends on your immigration permission and circumstances, and rules can change, so check the official pages and get advice from a regulated adviser if you are unsure.