Legal advice

Immigration and asylum advice

Who can provide immigration advice

Immigration advice in the UK can only be provided by:

• an immigration adviser who is registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) or exempt from registration
• a solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Law Society of Scotland or the Law Society of Northern Ireland
• a barrister regulated by the Bar Standards Board, the Faculty of Advocates, or the Bar of Northern Ireland

Immigration advice and services may include:

• advising a person about their immigration options
• helping them to prepare an application or appeal
• communicating with the Home Office on their behalf
• representing them before an immigration tribunal

IAA advisers can only provide advice and services at the level they are registered to provide.

It is unlawful for any person who is not regulated to provide immigration advice or immigration services directly to an individual in the UK.

Regulated immigration advisers can be found from the following directories:

• Find an IAA adviser
• Find a solicitor in England and Wales
• Find a solicitor in Scotland
• Find a solicitor in Northern Ireland

Finding free immigration advice

Legal aid is available for asylum cases and some immigration matters. Eligibility differs between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. See our information about legal aid for more information.

The following organisations can help people find a legal aid adviser:

• Find a legal aid adviser in England and Wales
• Find a legal aid adviser in Scotland
• Find a legal aid adviser in Northern Ireland

Some organisations provide free immigration advice and assistance, including:

• Law Centres
• voluntary and community sector organisations providing immigration advice
• specialist advice services such as:
  
  • AIRE Centre
  • Coram Children's Legal Centre
  • the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI)
  • Rights of Women

Page updated: 21 July 2026