10 What is the IAA?
The Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) - formerly known as the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) was created by the Immigration Act 1999 and regulates immigration advisors who are not solicitors or barristers, or supervised by them. The IAA also regulates the provision of immigration advice in the not-for-profit sector.
You will explore the competences and standards set by the IAA in Session 4 [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] . Here, we explore the work of the Immigration Advice Authority.
Activity 4: Finding out more about the IAA
Use an online search engine to find out the name of the current Immigration Services Commissioner, and explore the IAA’s role and responsibilities.
Discussion
At the time of writing, typing ‘Who is the Immigration Services Commissioner’ into a search engine produced more than 400,000 results; the first one reveal that John Tuckett was re-appointed to the role of Immigration Services Commissioner on 7 July 2024 for a second term of 5 years.
You may have found that the IAA originates from three key acts:
- Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002
- Immigration Act 2014.
Its powers include the ability to:
- limit or vary levels of work advisors may undertake
- lay a disciplinary charge against a regulated advisor
- apply for a restraining order or injunction
- prosecute for illegally providing immigration advice and/or services
- prosecute for illegally advertising immigration advice and/or services
- enter an advisor’s premises
- seize an advisor’s records
Its responsibilities include:
- assessing and registering individuals who want to become immigration advisors
- auditing advisors to ensure professional standards are upheld
- managing and investigating complaints against immigration advisors
- taking enforcement action against those offering immigration advice illegally.
The IAA’s website includes information on its latest campaigns, policy papers and featured news (GOV. UK, 2025).