OISC Annual Report Shows Record Number of Regulated Immigration Advisers
08/07/2009
A record number of immigration advisers are now regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), according to figures published by the OISC today (July 8).
The OISCs 2008/09 Annual Report shows that as of 31 March 2009 there were 4,237 advisers and 1,723 organisations in the regulatory scheme1.
The Immigration Services Commissioner, Suzanne McCarthy, said: OISC immigration advisers must prove they are fit and competent before they are accepted into the regulatory scheme. The giving of good immigration advice is in the interests of both clients and advisers.
The Commissioner has the power to prosecute unregulated advisers. During 2008/09 the OISC completed 166 criminal investigations into illegal activity. Since it began operating in 2001, the OISC has successfully carried out 79 prosecutions of which 13 were conducted in 2008/09.
The Immigration Services Commissioner is also authorised to receive complaints about immigration advisers. During 2008/09, 501 such complaints were received by the OISC.
The Annual Report 2008/09 can be downloaded here.
Notes to the Editor
1. On 31 March 2009 there were 4,199 advisers and 1,723 organisations in the regulatory scheme.
2. The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) is an independent, public body established under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, as amended.
3. It is a criminal offence to give immigration advice or services in the UK unless you are regulated by the OISC, a regulated solicitor, barrister or legal executive or European equivalent or exempted by Ministerial Order.
4. For more information contact Addeel Khan, Corporate Communications Officer at the OISC, on 020 7211 1630.
