Immigration Services Commissioner to be Disbanded and Replaced by New Immigration Advice Authority in Major Overhaul
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) is set to be abolished in the new year and replaced by a new entity, the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) is set to be dissolved early next year, with a new entity, the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), taking its place. This should not be mistaken for the Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme (IAAS) managed by the Law Society, which aims to enhance the standards of advice provided by immigration attorneys. It is also not the same as the former Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) or the Immigration and Asylum Act of 1999 (IAA 1999).
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) is set to be dissolved in the coming year as part of a major restructuring. It will be replaced by a revamped entity called the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA). This new agency should not be confused with the Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme (IAAS), managed by the Law Society to enhance the quality of advice from immigration lawyers, nor with the former Immigration Appellate Authority, or the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
John Tuckett, the current Immigration Services Commissioner, will continue in his statutory role as established under Section 83 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. He will remain in post, but his responsibilities will shift toward overseeing the strategic direction of the new organisation, engaging with stakeholders, and building partnerships to support the agency’s objectives.
The Commissioner’s duties will still include promoting best practices among those providing immigration advice and services, ensuring that immigration advisers are competent, act in the best interest of their clients, and avoid misleading the courts or tribunals. Since the "Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner" is not explicitly referenced in the legislation, the transition to the Immigration Advice Authority seems feasible without the need for new laws.
The new Immigration Advice Authority is expected to adopt a new leadership structure, an expanded workforce, and more robust operational processes. This expansion, likely implying an increase in staff, may come with significant costs. Additionally, the agency will undergo a complete rebranding, including a new logo and updated social media channels.
Heather Laing, currently Director of Strategic Operations at the Home Office’s Illegal Migration Operations Command Centre, will be seconded to lead the new agency as its Chief Executive Officer. Laing has eight years of experience at the Home Office, along with a background in fraud prevention at Cifas and the Student Loans Company.
The goal of the new agency is to adopt a more "outward-focused" approach and expand its reach. The funding model will reportedly remain the same, involving both taxpayer funding and fees from immigration advisers. However, it’s unclear how much of the agency’s growth will be funded by public money versus higher registration fees for advisers. A new "vision," mission, and set of values will be announced, signaling a potential shift in the agency’s strategic direction.
The official unveiling of the new agency, along with its corporate plan, is set for 16 January 2025, when more details will be disclosed.
The announcement of these changes has taken many by surprise, as no prior consultation has been conducted. The creation of a new, expanded agency was not discussed in recent consultations on registration fees, and the rebranding is likely to cause significant confusion in the immigration services sector given the long-standing history of the OISC.
Questions remain about the motivations behind this change. Was the OISC seen as ineffective in fulfilling its role? Is the shift aimed at improving the quantity and quality of immigration advice available? Is it a move by the Home Office to regain more direct control over the agency? And, was this overhaul planned in advance, or is it a response to the current government’s agenda?
In response to these queries, the OISC stated:
“This transformation builds on the legacy and knowledge of the OISC. It is underpinned by valuable input and insights from advisers, stakeholders, and advice seekers, ensuring the future organisation continues to put the advice seeker at the heart of everything it does.
“While the organisation’s remit remains unchanged, this strategic shift reflects its transition into a high-performing, outward-focused body with enhanced capabilities and expertise.
“The organisation’s goal remains the same: to protect vulnerable individuals from unregulated advisers while ensuring the provision of high-quality immigration advice across the UK.”
The OISC also confirmed that the rebranding will be managed within the current budget, as part of a broader transformation project that began in 2022.
There are still uncertainties about how the rebranding will affect OISC training programs and what the new title for “OISC advisers” will be. "IAA advisers" might be too generic and could imply that they work directly for the agency, which could cause confusion.
John Tuckett, the current Immigration Services Commissioner, will continue in his statutory role as established under Section 83 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. He will remain in post, but his responsibilities will shift toward overseeing the strategic direction of the new organisation, engaging with stakeholders, and building partnerships to support the agency’s objectives.
The Commissioner’s duties will still include promoting best practices among those providing immigration advice and services, ensuring that immigration advisers are competent, act in the best interest of their clients, and avoid misleading the courts or tribunals. Since the "Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner" is not explicitly referenced in the legislation, the transition to the Immigration Advice Authority seems feasible without the need for new laws.
The new Immigration Advice Authority is expected to adopt a new leadership structure, an expanded workforce, and more robust operational processes. This expansion, likely implying an increase in staff, may come with significant costs. Additionally, the agency will undergo a complete rebranding, including a new logo and updated social media channels.
Heather Laing, currently Director of Strategic Operations at the Home Office’s Illegal Migration Operations Command Centre, will be seconded to lead the new agency as its Chief Executive Officer. Laing has eight years of experience at the Home Office, along with a background in fraud prevention at Cifas and the Student Loans Company.
The goal of the new agency is to adopt a more "outward-focused" approach and expand its reach. The funding model will reportedly remain the same, involving both taxpayer funding and fees from immigration advisers. However, it’s unclear how much of the agency’s growth will be funded by public money versus higher registration fees for advisers. A new "vision," mission, and set of values will be announced, signaling a potential shift in the agency’s strategic direction.
The official unveiling of the new agency, along with its corporate plan, is set for 16 January 2025, when more details will be disclosed.
The announcement of these changes has taken many by surprise, as no prior consultation has been conducted. The creation of a new, expanded agency was not discussed in recent consultations on registration fees, and the rebranding is likely to cause significant confusion in the immigration services sector given the long-standing history of the OISC.
Questions remain about the motivations behind this change. Was the OISC seen as ineffective in fulfilling its role? Is the shift aimed at improving the quantity and quality of immigration advice available? Is it a move by the Home Office to regain more direct control over the agency? And, was this overhaul planned in advance, or is it a response to the current government’s agenda?
In response to these queries, the OISC stated:
“This transformation builds on the legacy and knowledge of the OISC. It is underpinned by valuable input and insights from advisers, stakeholders, and advice seekers, ensuring the future organisation continues to put the advice seeker at the heart of everything it does.
“While the organisation’s remit remains unchanged, this strategic shift reflects its transition into a high-performing, outward-focused body with enhanced capabilities and expertise.
“The organisation’s goal remains the same: to protect vulnerable individuals from unregulated advisers while ensuring the provision of high-quality immigration advice across the UK.”
The OISC also confirmed that the rebranding will be managed within the current budget, as part of a broader transformation project that began in 2022.
There are still uncertainties about how the rebranding will affect OISC training programs and what the new title for “OISC advisers” will be. "IAA advisers" might be too generic and could imply that they work directly for the agency, which could cause confusion.
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