How do I apply for registration?

To apply for registration, you need to do FIVE things:

1. Complete and submit the Codes and Rules Assessment

All applicants must complete the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner's (OISC's) Codes and Rules Assessment before submitting their application.

This is an online assessment that can be accessed through the Code and Rules assessment area of this website.

The assessment tests your understanding of the Code of Standards and the Commissioner's Rules. The assessment consists of 10 questions, all of which must be completed correctly. The assessment is not timed and can be taken more than once.

Everyone in your organisation who is to be listed as an adviser in your application must complete and submit a successful Codes and Rules Assessment. When each adviser has successfully answered all 10 questions, he or she must ensure that it is successfully submitted electronically via this website.

2. Complete the application form

The first section is called 'Organisation details'. In that section you must provide all the information requested, including 'Adviser details' and 'Additional information'.

You must then complete Sections A and B, which relate to the Commissioner's Code of Standards and the Commissioner's Rules. These are the standards by which you must work if you are registered by the Commissioner.

To assess your suitability for registration, the OISC will assess your fitness and competence to provide immigration advice and services. To do this, the OISC takes into account whether you can demonstrate that you will comply with the Code of Standards and the Commissioner's Rules. Copies of the Code, the Rules and the Guidance on Competence are available on this website. You should study them carefully before applying.

Sections A and B deal with different parts of the Code and the Rules. At each stage you will be asked to confirm that you have read and understood the relevant Codes and Rules on the pages headed 'Declaration'.

You are also required in Section A to provide information and produce documentation to demonstrate that you can comply with the Codes and Rules. The application form makes it clear where you are required to provide information and produce documentation. Guidance is provided in the application form about when you are required to provide information or produce documentation in the pages headed 'Notes'. In addition, you are reminded of the need to provide information and produce documentation on the pages headed 'Declaration'. On page 32 of the Registration Application Form you are asked to make further declarations relating to your application.

The OISC is unlikely to approve an application from a person who has an unspent conviction under sections 91 or 92(b) of the 1999 Immigration and Asylum Act (as amended), or if a fine relating to the conviction is not yet discharged.

An application from a person who has been convicted under sections 25 or 26 of the 1971 Immigration Act cannot be approved.

3. Pay the application fee

A fee must accompany your application for registration. The amount is dependent on the level of advice intended to be given and, for a level 2 or 3 application, the number of prospective advisers.

Cheques should be made payable to The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner. The registration (application) fees collected by the OISC are determined by the Home Office under statutory powers and must accompany all applications. There is no express power to refund fees in respect of withdrawn or unsuccessful applications, and the Home Office advises that refunds will only be made in exceptional circumstances.

The application fee must be paid in full at the time of making an application. Under no circumstances can the OISC accept part payment of the application fee.

Payments by BACS is preferred. This avoids the possibility of a cheque being lost in the post. Please quote your organisation's name as the reference and your four-digit OISC enquiry number found on the front of the application pack when sending BACS payments to:

Sort code: 30-95-26
Account no: 00720573
Bank: Lloyds TSB

Please allow three working days for the BACS payment to be processed by the banking system. The scale of fees is set by Statutory Instrument 2004 No. 802 (the Immigration Services Commissioner (Registration Fee) Order 2002).

4. Check you have a complete application

On page 33 of the Registration Application Form you will find an Application check list. When you feel you have completed the application form, provided all the information required and produced all the documentation required, you should check your application against that check list. If your application is fully complete, it is ready for submission to the OISC. Upon receipt of a complete application we will assign a caseworker to assess your suitability for registration.

Please DO NOT submit your application if it is not complete - incomplete applications will not be passed to a caseworker.

As necessary, we will write to you telling you what information and/or documentation you did not provide, and you will have 28 calendar days to provide it. If you fail to provide it after that period has elapsed, we will write to you again and you will have a further 14 calendar days to provide the information and/or documentation. If at the end of the latter 14 day period you still have not provided the information and/or documentation, your application for registration will be refused. This is because in failing to submit required information or documentation you will have failed to demonstrate that you can comply with the relevant Codes or Rules, and, as explained, the OISC cannot be satisfied that you are fit and competent to provide immigration advice and services. We can only register people if they can demonstrate they are fit and competent. Application fees are rarely refunded and then only in exceptional circumstances - which do not include refusals.

5. Submit your application

Completed application packs should be submitted to the OISC at the following address:

Central Services
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner
5th Floor Counting House
53 Tooley Street
London SE1 2QN