The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) is a regulatory body established by the UK Government to safeguard the provision of immigration advice to the public. The OISC licenses and regulates individuals and organisations that provide immigration advice to ensure that only qualified and registered persons deliver it. Its regulatory framework aims to maintain the integrity of the UK’s immigration system while safeguarding the interests of individuals seeking immigration advice.
What does the OISC do?
OISC is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office. The OISC is responsible for ensuring that immigration advisers in the UK meet certain standards and follow ethical guidelines when providing immigration advice. Here are some of the main functions of the OISC:
Regulating immigration advisers
The OISC registers and regulates immigration advisers in the UK, ensuring they meet certain standards of competence and professionalism. This includes setting qualification requirements for advisers, monitoring their activities, and taking enforcement action against those who breach the rules.
The OISC’s guidelines require immigration advisers to be competent, honest, and reliable and to provide accurate and up-to-date advice. It also monitors and regulates the activities of immigration advisers to ensure that they provide quality advice and services to their clients. Immigration advisers in the UK must be registered with the OISC and meet certain standards and qualifications to be eligible for registration. The OISC provides training and support for immigration advisers and guidance on changes to immigration law and policy.
Providing guidance and support
The OISC provides guidance and support to immigration advisers, as well as to members of the public who are seeking immigration advice. This includes publishing guidance on immigration law and policy, providing training and development opportunities for advisers, and operating a helpline for members of the public who have questions about immigration advice and services.
Protecting consumers
The OISC is responsible for protecting consumers of immigration advice by ensuring that advisers follow ethical guidelines and professional standards. The OISC’s enforcement activities involve investigating and prosecuting individuals who provide immigration advice illegally. Its primary focus is on those not legally qualified but may provide immigration advice to the public without appropriate registration or qualifications. The OISC investigates reports of unlicensed advisers, assesses whether illegal activity has taken place, and takes appropriate action to ensure that individuals are not exposed to poor or inappropriate advice. This may include prosecution or referral to other agencies for further investigation.
Promoting good practice
The OISC promotes good practice in the provision of immigration advice and services. This includes raising awareness of the importance of using registered advisers, promoting good practice among advisers, and collaborating with other organizations to improve the quality of immigration advice and services in the UK.
Overall, the OISC plays an important role in regulating and ensuring the quality of immigration advice and services in the UK and protecting consumers of these services.
OISC Immigration Advisers
OISC advisers are registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) in the UK and are authorized to provide immigration advice and services to their clients. Here are some of the things that OISC advisers may do:
Provide advice on immigration options
OISC advisers can provide advice on the different types of UK visas and immigration options available to their clients and can help them identify the most appropriate option for their needs.
Assist with application
OISC advisers can help their clients to prepare and submit their visa or immigration applications, including completing application forms, gathering supporting documentation, and liaising with the relevant authorities on their behalf.
Liaise with the Home Office
OISC advisers can act as a liaison between their clients and the UK Home Office, providing updates on the progress of their applications and communicating with the Home Office on their client’s behalf.
Provide representation
OISC advisers can represent their clients in immigration proceedings, including appeals against immigration decisions and applications for asylum.
Provide general immigration advice
OISC advisers can provide general immigration advice to their clients, including information on immigration rules and policies, visa and immigration procedures, and eligibility criteria.
How Can We Help
As a registered immigration firm authorized by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), we are committed to providing our clients with expert immigration advice and services. Whytecroft Ford can assist you with a wide range of immigration matters, including:
Visa applications
We can help you to prepare and submit your visa application, ensuring that you have all the necessary documentation and that your application meets the requirements of the relevant visa category.
Immigration options
We can advise you on the different types of UK visas and immigration options available to you and help you identify the most appropriate option for your needs.
Family immigration
We can assist with all aspects of family immigration, including applications for family members to join you in the UK and for settlement and citizenship applications.
Business immigration
We can advise on all aspects of work and business immigration.
Our team brings a wealth of experience to our clients. Our advisers have extensive knowledge of UK immigration law and policy, and have helped clients from various backgrounds with various immigration issues. We stay up-to-date with the latest developments in immigration law, and are always looking for ways to improve our services.
Whytecroft Ford is dedicated to providing our clients a professional, friendly, and experienced service. We are committed to helping our clients navigate the complexities of the UK immigration system and to provide them with the support and guidance they need to achieve their immigration goals.
