To Secure Your Future in The UK Only Use A Qualified OISC Immigration Adviser

Cynthia Barker writes…Make sure you use a legal, OISC registered qualified immigration adviser for immigration advice to secure your future in the UK. I've been warning migrants to stay away from illegal, fake immigration advisers for years, yet I still hear stories of migrants being ripped off by crooks.

The OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) regulates immigration advisers in the UK. Advisers have to train, pass exams and carry out CPD to keep up with changes in the Immigration Rules. 

You can check the OISC adviser finder to make sure your adviser is registered and qualified at the correct level - for instance, only level 3 firms can handle appeals, bail hearings or detention cases.

It is illegal to give immigration advice in the UK unless you are qualified and registered with one of the regulatory bodies, such as the OISC or Bar Council.

Lawyers can give advice, but often lack the specialist knowledge of the UK Immigration Rules and guidance, which the Home Office change every five minutes!

My Solicitor can tell me everything I need to know about buying a house or making a Will, but would know nothing about lodging a visa appeal against a visa an immigration refusal or how to help an overstayer who has been detained by the Home Office and is about to be deported form the UK.

He would not even attempt to draft an application for indefinite leave to remain, UK citizenship or a spouse visa for an EEA national’s non-EU partner.

By the same token, when I see a client who also needs specialist advice on an employment matter or divorce, I refer them to the right lawyer.

In one case an abused domestic worker for a Middle Eastern family won an out of court settlement of £140,000! He came to me for immigration advice, but we identified further issues with the terms of his employment.

Finally, remember that the fake immigration adviser, or someone pretending to be a lawyer or barrister, will only tell you what you want to hear – they feed on the fact that many of you will believe anything because you want to remain in the UK. Migrants, especially those who have overstayed their visa, are vulnerable and desperate and easy prey for the criminals who steal their money and often never even submit an application to the Home Office.

If you have been affected by Home Office changes or need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

See also: How to spot a fake immigration adviser

How To Spot A Fake Immigration Adviser

Cynthia Barker writes...Here are my 3 tips on How to spot a fake immigration adviser and how to find a legally registered qualified firm.

Despite my warnings, migrants are still being ripped off by unregulated, illegal 'immigration advisers', sometimes to the tune of thousands of pounds for doing absolutely nothing. 

If you get scammed by a fake adviser, the police won't help you get your money back. They will refer you to the overworked regulator to investigate and prosecute the crime.

Firstly, check the OISC website to see if the adviser and firm is registered to legally offer immigration advice in the UK. It is illegal to give immigration advice in the UK unless you are regulated. Also make sure they are registered at the appropriate level to handle your case - for instance, level 1 firms are not allowed to give immigration advice deal with visa overstayers or illegal immigrants and only level 3 firms can lodge a visa appeal against a refusal.

Secondly, look for obvious signs of credibility, which could also apply to any type of adviser, such as an accountant. lawyer or financial adviser. Does the adviser have an office, landline telephone and website? Do they have proper email address linked to their domain or are they using a Hotmail account? Working from a 'home office' is fine, but they should have an organised office setup. 

Lastly, have they given you a business card, proper written terms and conditions and fee scale outlining their advice and charges (same applies to other professionals)? Will they place your money into a client account until the work has been completed? If you are asked for cash only, run out the door and keep running!

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Use your common sense. Is the person making wild promises which sound too good to be true? Remember the old saying: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!". If you are in any doubt, get a second opinion before you hand over your hard earned money.

OISC registered advisers are trained, qualified and regulated by a government controlled body. If you use an OISC qualified immigration adviser, you have the back up of a regulator if for any reason you are not happy with the advice.

If you have been affected by Home Office changes or need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Dear Home Office, Why Change SET-O Forms Again - After 2 Months And With No Warning?

Cynthia Barker writes...You won't believe this, the SET-O Home Office forms I completed last week are version April 2014 and literally, this minute, I saw another newer version to be used after 2 June - I will now have to redo 4 X 75-page forms arghhh!

OPEN LETTER TO HOME OFFICE FORM CHANGING TEAM:

Dear Home Office, it is extremely frustrating that the you change your forms far too often, for a minor alteration and with little or no notice to your customers. 

For example, the SET-O UK settlement form was only just changed in April, when you also increased Home Office immigration fees from 6th April. 

My worry is that a large number of applicants, and some OISC Immigration Advisers, will get caught out by this unexpected 'immediate' change, resulting in a refusal several months down the line. In some cases, visas will have expired, removal notices will be issued resulting in costly appeals being lodged against visa refusals - all because of a minor change.

Can you please be more flexible and allow migrants customers more time to adjust to the changes, or try to limit changes to immigration forms.

Thanking you in advance.

Signed, 

Frustrated Immigration Adviser taking time out to re-complete four 75 page Home Office SET-0 forms!

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.
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