Choosing an Immigration Solicitor or Adviser

Immigration solicitors or immigration advisers can be very helpful when it comes to making your visa application. If you have a complicated matter, or you just don't feel confident about making an application yourself, then using an immigration adviser or solicitor may be a good way to go.

Should I choose an immigration solicitor or an immigration adviser?

I don't think it matters, as long as the solicitor or adviser is competent and honest. I think there are very many competent professionals on both sides of the divide, and both are regulated. The solicitor is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the immigration adviser is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner (OISC). An immigration adviser is not a lawyer, but this does not make him/her any less competent to advise you. In my experience, the Solicitor is more likely to be more expensive than the immigration adviser, and some view this price difference as an indication of quality. Ultimately, I think you should focus more on the person, their record and references (online, from previous clients, etc) than on their title.

Book a consultation session first

A consultation session is one in which the immigration solicitor or adviser sits with you and walks you through your problem, giving general advice on how it can be solved. From this initial meeting you can get a good indication of whether or not you can complete the application yourself, or whether you'll need the assistance of the solicitor/adviser. Consultation sessions are also a good way of deciding which solicitor of adviser to choose. A consultation session could be free, but the last time I checked the average price was between £50 and £100.

Check the solicitor or adviser's area of specialization

Some immigration advisers and solicitors do not specialize in all aspects of immigration law. When it comes to solicitors, some do not specialize in immigration law at all, but have a limited load of immigration cases. An immigration adviser may be very knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to work visa applications, but the same person may know next to nothing about nationality applications. Yet another may be an expert at asylum applications but know nothing about marriage visa applications. Check the solicitor/adviser's website and ask directly how many such cases they have handled in the recent past. Needless to say, the more experienced a professional is in dealing with your particular type of matter, the better it is for you.

Look up the solicitor/adviser on the SRA/OISC website

You can double-check a solicitor's records on the SRA website: http://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/consumers.page. For immigration advisers, check the OISC website: http://www.oisc.gov.uk/. There you can find a list of practicing solicitors and immigration advisers, their registered location and specialization, as well as records of any disciplinary proceedings instituted against them.

The article is designed to assist you in choosing an immigration solicitor or adviser. At the end of the day, I think it's a good idea to go with a professional who is local to you (or otherwise readily accessible), seems trustworthy and specializes in the aspect of immigration law that pertains to your matter.

Good luck with your visa application!