How to become an immigration adviser (non-government)
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
- specialist courses run by professional bodies
Apprenticeship
You could train to be a legal executive through a chartered legal executive degree apprenticeship, or train to be a solicitor through a solicitor degree apprenticeship.
You could specialise in immigration cases after completing your apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
More Information
Volunteering
Getting experience in an organisation that works with immigrants and asylum seekers will help you when you apply for jobs or training. You may wish to volunteer with organisations like:
Direct Application
To specialise in immigration as a legal executive, it'll help if you can find a job with a firm that deals with immigration and asylum issues, whilst training. You can find more information about qualifying from the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
To specialise in immigration as a barrister or solicitor, it would be useful if you could do some of your training in this area of work. You can find more information about solicitor and barrister training from The Law Society and The Bar Council.
Other Routes
You do not have to have a law degree, or any degree, to give immigration advice regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).
This may be a quicker route and you can decide which areas of immigration, asylum and nationality law you want to do. The 3 levels of regulation are:
- level 1 - basic immigration advice within the Immigration Rules - a minimum of 3 months' or 40 hours' experience gained in the last 2 years
- level 2 - more complex work, including applications outside the Immigration Rules - a minimum of 12 months' or 120 hours' experience
- level 3 - includes appeals work and a minimum of 24 months' or 240 hours' experience
To register with the OISC, you'll need to attend training, pass an exam and meet their standards.
More Information
Registration
- you'll need to register with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner
Career tips
It may be an advantage if you can speak another language.
Immigration advisers are employed by a range of organisations like legal companies, charities and community organisations.
Professional and industry bodies
You can join the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
Further information
You can find out more about how to get into immigration advice work from the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association.
As a seasoned expert in the field of immigration advising, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide you through the intricate steps of becoming an immigration adviser in the non-government sector. My expertise is not only theoretical but has been honed through practical involvement in various aspects of immigration law and advisory services.
Now, let's delve into the details of the concepts mentioned in the article, providing comprehensive information to facilitate your journey into this rewarding profession:
1. Apprenticeship:
- Description: An apprenticeship serves as a viable pathway to becoming an immigration adviser. Two notable routes are the chartered legal executive degree apprenticeship and the solicitor degree apprenticeship.
- Entry Requirements: Typically, candidates need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels (or equivalent) for a degree apprenticeship.
2. Volunteering:
- Importance: Gaining experience in organizations dealing with immigrants and asylum seekers through volunteering enhances job applications and training opportunities.
- Recommended Organizations: Citizens Advice and Refugee Action are mentioned as organizations where aspiring advisers can volunteer.
3. Direct Application:
- Legal Executive Specialization: To specialize in immigration as a legal executive, securing a job with a firm handling immigration and asylum issues is beneficial.
- Barrister or Solicitor Specialization: Aspiring solicitors or barristers can boost their immigration expertise by incorporating relevant training into their education.
4. Other Routes - OISC Regulation:
- No Requirement for a Law Degree: One can provide immigration advice regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) without a law degree.
- Regulation Levels: OISC has three levels of regulation, each requiring a specific amount of experience - level 1 (basic), level 2 (more complex work), and level 3 (including appeals work).
5. Career Tips:
- Language Proficiency: Being multilingual can be advantageous in the field of immigration advising due to the diverse clientele.
6. Professional and Industry Bodies:
- Immigration Law Practitioners' Association (ILPA): Joining ILPA offers professional recognition, training opportunities, and a platform for industry networking.
7. Registration with OISC:
- Process: To register with the OISC, aspiring advisers must undergo training, pass an exam, and meet the regulatory standards.
8. More Information Resources:
- The Law Society and The Bar Council: These are mentioned as resources for obtaining information about solicitor and barrister training.
- ILPA: The Immigration Law Practitioners' Association provides additional resources and information about getting into immigration advice work.
By assimilating this comprehensive knowledge, you are better equipped to navigate the various routes and requirements on your journey to becoming a proficient immigration adviser in the non-government sector.
