Collection

What is the OISC?

Information providing useful details about the OISC, guidance towards immigration advice, frequently asked questions and getting the best from your adviser.

From:
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner
Published
21 August 2019
Last updated
29 September 2023 — See all updates

Overview

Welcome to the collection of pages designed to provide useful information about us as well as the answers to any questions you may have about using an immigration adviser. If you cannot find the information you need or have further questions, you can contact us directly via our online portal or by email, telephone message or post.

Contents

Who are the OISC and what do we do?

Information for consumers about the OISC and the work we do, how we license organisations to provide immigration advice, as well as what we can’t help you with. Who are the OISC and what do we do?

Finding and using an OISC regulated organisation.

The best to way to find an OISC regulated organisation near you that can help with your immigration matter. Finding and using an OISC regulated organisation

Concerned whether an immigration website is authentic?

www.GOV.UK is the only official UK immigration website and provides all of the information necessary to successfully complete an application.

We have received reports of customers using non-GOV.UK websites to support their UK immigration applications. If you have made use of these websites, please be aware of the following:

  • Some non-GOV.UK websites deliberately attempt to deceive customers by making it appear as though they are an official part of the application process.
  • These websites can pose a risk to a customer’s security and data.
  • They will often charge applicants extra, unnecessary fees in addition to any fees related to the official immigration application.
  • The information included on these websites is not moderated by the Home Office and may be inaccurate or misleading.

If you think you may have been a victim of a non-GOV.UK website seeking your data and/or money, please report this to  Reporting fraud and cyber crime |
Action Fraud.

Shortcut to Adviser Finder

If you would like to find an OISC regulated adviser in your area, you can use our online facility. Adviser finder

What you can expect from your adviser.

The standards we set that all organisations must follow. What you can expect from your adviser

Getting the best from your adviser.

Practical tips on the steps you can take as a consumer, to make sure that you get the most out of your OISC regulated adviser. Getting the best from your adviser

Complaints

What to do if you feel that things have not gone the way you expected. Complaints

What you can expect from the OISC.

Information on how we will treat you and any information you provide us, including how quickly we will reply to you and what to do if English is not your first language. What you can expect from the OISC

Judicial Review: What you need to know

Information on Judicial Reviews and the risk of making a “Totally Without Merit” application. Judicial Review: What you need to know

FAQS

A collection of the answers to the most common questions we get asked by consumers. FAQs

Updates to this page

Published 21 August 2019
Last updated 29 September 2023 + show all updates

  1. Providing advice to those who have concerns re immigration advice sites

  2. Includes details of the OISC Online Portal

  3. Adviser Finder and Register of Advisers down over Bank Holiday for maintenance

  4. New document added 'Information on Judicial Reviews and the risk of making a "Totally Without Merit" application.'.

  5. First published.