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The short answer
In the UK it is a criminal offence to give immigration advice or services in the course of a business, paid or unpaid, unless you are qualified to do so: registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (the regulator formerly called the OISC, renamed on 16 January 2025), or a solicitor, barrister or legal executive regulated by their own body, or supervised by one. Breaking the rule can bring up to 2 years in prison, a fine or both.
Nigerians in the UK are often asked by friends and church members for help with visa applications, and some see a business in it: a "visa consultancy" filling forms for students, care workers and spouses. The law treats that very seriously. Immigration advice is a regulated service, and unregulated advice, even well-meaning, can cost the applicant a visa and the adviser their liberty. This guide explains the rules.
The law in brief
- Section 84 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 says only qualified persons may provide immigration advice or services.
- The rule applies to advice given in the course of a business, whether or not for profit.
- Under section 91, a breach can lead to up to 6 months in prison on summary conviction in the magistrates' court, or up to 2 years on indictment, a fine, or both.
- The regulator was the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). It became the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) on 16 January 2025: same regulator, new name.
Who may give immigration advice
| Who | Regulated by |
|---|---|
| Registered IAA advisers (formerly OISC-registered) | Immigration Advice Authority |
| Solicitors | Solicitors Regulation Authority |
| Barristers | Bar Standards Board |
| Chartered legal executives | CILEX Regulation |
| People working under the supervision of the above | Through their supervisor's regulator |
| Some employers, licensed sponsors and named education and health bodies, for limited purposes | Must still meet the IAA Code of Standards |
Charities and not-for-profit groups are not exempt by default. A Nigerian community association that runs a visa help desk needs registered advisers too.
The three levels
| Level | What you may do |
|---|---|
| Level 1: advice and assistance | Simple applications with no discretion needed and no adverse immigration history |
| Level 2: casework | Level 1 plus asylum, complex or discretionary cases, overstaying, and preparing appeals |
| Level 3: advocacy and representation | Level 2 plus representing clients at tribunal hearings and managing judicial review cases |
Most new advisers start at Level 1, and the regulator assesses competence before registering an adviser at a level. An adviser may only work within their level.
What counts as advice, and what does not
ACCA's factsheet for accountants describes immigration advice as advice about a specific individual on relevant immigration matters. The line is between general information and advice about a particular person's case. Telling the public where the GOV.UK visa pages are, or what a published fee is, is information. Telling a named person which route to apply under, how to answer questions on their form, or what evidence to submit for their case is advice. Filling in someone's application for a fee is an immigration service. If you would be paid, or doing it as part of a business, assume it is regulated.
Employers and sponsors
Two narrow exemptions matter to Nigerian business owners. ACCA's factsheet notes that a licensed worker or student sponsor may give free advice to the migrant about their application, and to immediate family whose application depends on it, without registering. An employer giving free advice to an employee or prospective employee, where the employer has made or will make the application, is also exempt. Both exemptions are for free advice in that relationship; neither lets a sponsor charge, or advise people it does not sponsor.
Accountants and HR consultants who want to offer immigration work alongside their services must register like anyone else, passing the competence test first. Helping a client with the business side of a sponsor licence (payroll, HR records) is different from advising on a named worker's visa; take care where the two meet.
Building a lawful business
- Decide on the route: train and register with the IAA, or employ or work under a regulated solicitor.
- Prepare for the IAA competence assessment at the level you need.
- Apply for registration and do not advise until it is granted.
- Set up client care letters, fee terms, complaints handling and file-keeping to the Code of Standards.
- Stay within your level and refer complex cases.
- Build relationships with related services, such as document certification and translation, without giving advice outside your registration.
Worked example
Example: Chika, a former caseworker, wants to help Nigerian nurses with Skilled Worker applications for a £300 fee per case. Without registration, every case is a potential offence. Registered at Level 1, she can handle simple applications; if a client has an overstay or a previous refusal, the case is above Level 1 and must go to a Level 2 adviser or a solicitor. Her business plan should assume some clients are referred on. Readers comparing visa costs can see our guide to British citizenship costs.
Where Pryme fits
Registered advisers with Nigerian clients often receive fees from relatives in Nigeria. A Pryme Business Account can receive naira and pounds, and verifiable receipts from VerifyDoc.ai give clients proof of payment. Compliance can track registration renewal dates.
Questions people ask
Can I help my friends with their UK visa applications?
Informal help between friends outside any business is not usually caught, but once you charge, advertise, or do it as part of a business, it is regulated and doing it unregistered is an offence.
Is OISC still the regulator?
The OISC became the Immigration Advice Authority on 16 January 2025. It is the same regulator with a new name.
What is the penalty for unregulated immigration advice?
Up to 6 months in prison in the magistrates' court, or up to 2 years on indictment, a fine, or both.
Can a charity give immigration advice without registration?
No. Charities and not-for-profits are not exempt by default and need registered advisers.
Sources
- Rowan: Immigration Advice Authority advisers, formerly OISC (updated 28 Mar 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- ACCA technical factsheet: immigration advice (Jan 2022) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.