The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner rebrands as the Immigration Advice Authority.
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) has today announced its transformation to the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), marking a significant evolution in the regulation of immigration advice services in the UK.
The IAA's mission is to protect seekers of immigration advice through regulation, enforcement, and promoting best practice. This strategic rebrand marks the organisation's evolution into a high-performing, outward-focused entity with strengthened capabilities and expertise. It underscores its expanded role in addressing the complex challenges of the UK's immigration landscape.
John Tuckett, Immigration Services Commissioner, said:
This transformation represents more than just a name change - we are evolving, enhancing and expanding with an ambitious agenda that keeps advice seekers at the heart of everything we do.
We are making our services more accessible and understandable. We intend to take a more robust approach to regulation and enforcement while supporting sector development, working closely with our partners.
Our mission is clear - to protect vulnerable individuals from unregulated advisers while ensuring the provision of high-quality immigration advice across the UK.
Seema Malhotra, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, said:
Immigration advice is critical to the effective running of a coherent, efficient, and fair immigration system.
This government is committed to ensuring advice seekers receive the advice they need through an efficient and regulated advice sector. The launch of the Immigration Advice Authority provides an excellent opportunity to enhance the work of the immigration advice sector, and I wish the IAA continued success in its vital role in developing the sector.
The organisation will focus on three core objectives:
- regulation: ensuring compliance with established standards for registered immigration advisers
- enforcement: disrupting illegal advice-giving activities that undermine the integrity of the immigration system
- promoting best practice: developing the immigration advice sector, working in partnership with advisers and stakeholders
The transition to the IAA will take effect from Thursday 16 January 2025. All existing OISC registrations and arrangements remain valid, and registered advisers will continue to receive detailed information on what this means for them.
