Minister for Border Security and Asylum reiterates people should complain to the IAA if they receive bad service from registered adviser
In a full response to several written parliamentary questions, the Government has encouraged people to report unregulated and poor-quality immigration advice to the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).
Responding to questions from independent MP James McMurdock on Monday, the Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: "The Government takes the unlawful provision of immigration advice and services seriously. However, not all who have been provided with unregulated immigration advice report it to the Home Office or to regulators. Advice seekers who have received bad service from an IAA-registered adviser or who have received immigration advice from unregulated persons are encouraged to complain to the IAA."
Formerly known as the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), the IAA sets and enforces professional standards for immigration advisers and takes action against those operating illegally or providing substandard advice. The IAA's online reporting function allows individuals to report suspected illegal or poor quality advice.
James McMurdock asked several parliamentary questions regarding the IAA's recent public awareness campaign urging people to check that immigration advisers are properly authorised before seeking advice. Questions asked by McMurdock included how many investigations into unregulated immigration advisers were undertaken by the IAA and what assessment the Government had made of the number of migrants who had successfully obtained indefinite leave to remain after receiving advice from unregulated advisers.
In his answer, Norris said the provision of unregulated immigration advice is a covert activity and that the number of people receiving such advice is not formally recorded. He added that the requested information is not available from published statistics and could only be compiled and verified at disproportionate cost.
The Minister reiterated that, under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, immigration advice and services may only be provided by suitably qualified and regulated individuals. He also highlighted recent enforcement measures, including new powers introduced by the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 to strengthen action against unlawful immigration advisers.
Norris stated: "The IAA's new enforcement regime is dual-purpose, using criminal law for serious offences and IAA civil powers for faster action against those providing unregulated advice outside of the regulatory scheme. … Professional enablers abuse the immigration system and exploit the vulnerable, sometimes acting as unlicensed and unregulated immigration advisers. Immigration Enforcement has strengthened existing relationships with specialists in the NCA, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the IAA to form a strong network of multi-agency investigators who can develop intelligence, investigate and prosecute offenders."