In a written parliamentary answer published on 8 June 2026, the Government called on people who received unregulated immigration advice to report it to the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).
Responding to a question from independent MP James McMurdock (South Basildon and East Thurrock), the Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, confirmed that not all who receive unregulated advice come forward to the Home Office or regulators. He encouraged anyone who received poor service from an IAA-registered adviser or advice from an unregulated person to complain to the IAA directly.
The IAA, formerly known as the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), is the body responsible for setting and enforcing professional standards for immigration advisers in the UK. It also takes action against those operating outside the regulatory scheme or providing substandard advice. Individuals can report suspected illegal or poor-quality advice through the IAA's online reporting function on GOV.UK.
McMurdock's question was raised in the context of a public awareness campaign launched by the IAA on 11 May 2026, urging people to check that their immigration adviser is properly authorised before seeking advice. His question asked the Government to assess how many migrants had successfully obtained indefinite leave to remain after receiving advice from unregulated advisers over the last five years.
In his answer, Norris explained that unregulated immigration advice is a covert activity and the number of people receiving it is not formally recorded. He confirmed the requested data is not available from published statistics and could only be compiled and verified at disproportionate cost.
The Minister set out the legal position clearly: under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, immigration advice and services may only be provided by qualified persons, meaning those registered with the IAA or members of the legal profession, including solicitors, barristers, and legal executives. Providing such advice outside these parameters is a criminal offence under Section 91 of the Act, carrying a penalty of up to two years' imprisonment and/or a fine.
The answer also outlined new enforcement powers introduced by the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025. These include a criminal offence for advertising unlawful immigration advice online, civil fines up to £15,000 for unregistered advisers, the ability to compel information from current and former advisers, immediate suspension powers when serious misconduct is suspected, and the ability to acquire proceeds of crime from illegal advice profits.
Norris described the IAA's enforcement approach as dual-purpose, using criminal law for serious offences and civil powers for faster action against those outside the regulatory scheme.
The answer also referenced the Home Office's Professional Enablers Disruptions team, set up in 2023, which disrupts individuals who use professional expertise to facilitate immigration system abuse. Norris confirmed Immigration Enforcement has built stronger relationships with the National Crime Agency, the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and the IAA to form a multi-agency network for developing intelligence, investigating cases, and prosecuting offenders.
If you have received advice from an unregulated immigration adviser, or have concerns about the quality of advice you received from an IAA-registered adviser, you can report this to the IAA through GOV.UK.
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