Summary of the OISC levels
Please note that if you only signpost or pass on general information about the immigration system you are outside the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) scheme. See pages 1-2 for more details.
Area of work: Asylum
Level 1 Initial advice
No work on applications permitted (Limited assistance within the immigration rules only)
Level 2 Casework
All aspects of asylum applications and related Human Rights Act (HRA) applications, Case Resolution/Legacy Cases and Active Review. Lodging (in exceptional circumstances) Notices of Appeal
Level 3 Advocacy and representation
Substantive appeals work, including representation in the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT), specialist casework
Area of work: Entry clearance, Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain
Level 1 Initial advice
Basic applications that are within the Immigration Rules, including immigration employment documents and PBS
Level 2 Casework
Out-of-time applications, concessionary policies, lodging (in exceptional circumstances) Notices of Appeal and Statements of Additional Grounds, representations to the United Kingdom Borders Agency (UKBA) on illegal entry, overstayer, removal and deportation cases
Level 3 Advocacy and representation
As above
Area of work: Nationality and citizenship
Level 1 Initial advice
Basic applications for registration and naturalisation
Level 2 Casework
Discretionary and complex applications
Level 3 Advocacy and representation
Specialist casework
Area of work: European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) immigration law
Level 1 Initial advice
Basic applications for EEA nationals and non- EEA family members that are within the Immigration Rules, including applications for A8 and A2 nationals
Level 2 Casework
Discretionary and complex applications, lodging (in exceptional circumstances) Notices of Appeal
Level 3 Advocacy and representation
Substantive appeals work, including representation in the AIT, specialist casework
Area of work: Detention, applications for temporary admission, CIO bail, immigration judge bail
Level 1 Initial advice
An adviser at this level must not provide advice/services in this area
Level 2 Casework
Representations to the UKBA, applications for temporary admission, CIO bail
Level 3 Advocacy and representation
Immigration judge bail, including representation at Asylum Immigration Tribunal (AIT) hearings
