Guidance

Finding and Using an OISC Regulated Organisation

Updated 20 August 2019

The OISC regulates organisations across the UK. OISC regulated organisations can help with all aspects of immigration advice, from one off advice about a specific issue you may have, making an application for Entry Clearance and Leave to Remain in the UK, appealing Home Office decisions and even in some instances, applications for Judicial Review.

If you would like to find an OISC regulated adviser in your area, you can use our online adviser finder.

Alternatively, you can call us on 0345 000 0046 and we can try to find one for you. Please be aware that while we can locate organisations close to you that may be able to assist in your immigration matter, their proximity to you is the only criteria we apply when selecting an organisation, we do not make recommendations.

The OISC also maintains a register containing the details of all regulated advisers which you can find here.

0.1 OISC Levels and Categories

All OISC organisations can apply to be registered to give advice in the categories of asylum, EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), judicial review casework management and/or immigration. In addition, there are three levels of advice available to OISC regulated organisations. A brief summary of some of the work that can be carried out at each level can be found below, but for a complete description, you can consult the OISC’s Guidance on Competence.

At Level One in the category of immigration, organisations can make basic, one off applications that fall within the immigration rules, such as applications for entry clearance, leave to enter or remain and straightforward applications to vary conditions attached to leave already granted by the Secretary of State. Advisers can make applications for registration and naturalisation as a British Citizen, apply for residence or family permits and assist applicants applying to the EU Settlement Scheme.

In Asylum, Level One organisations are very limited in the work they can do, they are restricted to notifying UKVI of a change of address or applying for travel documents for a person who already has Humanitarian Protection or Discretionary Leave to Remain.

At Level Two in the category of immigration, organisations can provide ongoing casework on discretionary and complex applications, making representations on behalf of those who have overstayed their current leave or those who entered the UK illegally. They can lodge notices of appeal, but cannot represent clients at the appeal itself. In Asylum, a Level Two registered organisation can assist clients with all aspects of their asylum and related Human Rights Act applications. They can also lodge notices of appeal but again cannot represent clients at their appeal.

At Level Three in the categories of immigration and asylum, organisations can represent clients at appeal and write a pre-action protocol letter for Judicial Review.

Some Level Three organisations can manage the Judicial Review process on behalf of their clients, although they must instruct a barrister to undertake the litigation and advocacy elements of the application on their behalf. Although Level Three organisations are more highly qualified and able to carry out a wider range of work, all OISC regulated organisations are considered fit and competent to assist clients at their appropriate level of registration. Many client’s cases are straightforward and can be processed by a Level One organisation. A higher level of registration does not guarantee a higher level of service!

In order to know what to expect and to make sure you get the most of your OISC adviser, we have put together some tips that may help you here.

For more information about the OISC and what we do, please find further guidance here.

To find a collection of common questions about the OISC and the organisations we regulate, please visit our FAQs page.