Guidance

How to become a regulated immigration adviser

Details on how to become a registered immigration adviser including the 'new' Level 1 assessment, the online competence assessments and associated OISC forms.

Documents

Competence Assessment

Details

How to become a registered adviser

This guidance informs you about the process of how to become a registered adviser. It includes information about:

  • the application process
  • applying for the correct level
  • competence assessment

OISC online competence assessments

As well as details of the new online assessments, this collection contains immigration and asylum assessment syllabuses, sample question papers, assessment resources, guidance on the assessment process, the marking scheme for assessments and a list of the confirmed assessment dates.

Post assessment processes

Applicants can still expect their assessment results approximately three weeks after they take their assessment. For most applications we will make a decision on their application for registration shortly after the results are available.

If an applicant does not pass the assessment and is refused registration, they can make a new application for registration. Any re-application must include what further training has been completed to ensure the applicant is now in a better position to pass the assessment. Applications resubmitted without details of further training will be refused. The OISC will not re-test an adviser within 4 weeks of their last registration decision.

Support for Level 1 candidates

To help support Level 1 applicants we have a number of Level 1 sample papers available from www.oisc.gov.uk. We encourage all applicants to use these practice papers in advance of the exams before applying for registration. This will help applicants understand if they are ready to sit the Level 1 assessment.

OISC application forms

Our online forms system includes all application forms for registration with the OISC. You can access the system via our online portal.

If you haven’t already registered, you will need to create an account. You can do this by selecting ‘Applications’ on the top menu of the portal. The ‘Guidance’ tab in the portal provides useful information to support you with your application form.

Updates to this page

Published 29 December 2008
Last updated 18 October 2024 + show all updates
  1. Information in section 4.1 and section 4.2 updated to reflect change in process.

  2. Guidance document updated to reflect new online application process.

  3. Details updated with information about the OISC’s new online application process.

  4. Link to application form has been removed from the website as the OISC moves to a new online system.

  5. An additional line of information has been added under S3 - Check if you need to apply for registration

  6. Updated fees information in the document 'How to become a regulated immigration adviser'.

  7. Changes to the paragraph ' Ministerial Exemptions'.

  8. Registration fee increase from May 2022

  9. Information re Ministerial Exemptions updated

  10. A new assessment process for Level 1 is being introduced to bring the assessment in line with Level 2 and Level 3 application processes.

  11. Review of Relevant Matters following the UK's exit from the EU

  12. Details of new online competence assessments added.

  13. Interim change to DBS Certificate process during current health emergency

  14. The previous information re "Local authority nationality and settlement checking services" has been removed

  15. Guidance updated in relation to OISC jurisdiction and solicitors.

  16. Guidance updated.

  17. Guidance updated.

  18. Added link to model documents

  19. Update on competence marking

  20. Amended guidance notes

  21. Link added to DBS guidance document

  22. First published.

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