What each can do, what they cost and how to check, so you choose on facts.
Start the eligibility checkContact usThe short answer
Both an immigration solicitor and an IAA regulated adviser can lawfully give immigration advice and prepare applications, so long as each is properly authorised. The right choice depends on what you need, not on a title. For a straightforward application within the Immigration Rules, a regulated adviser at the right level can be a sensible, lower-cost option.
Who regulates immigration advice in the UK?
In the UK it is a criminal offence to give immigration advice or services unless you are authorised. The main ways to be authorised are:
Immigration Advice Authority (IAA). Regulates immigration advisers at Levels 1, 2 and 3, and checks competence, conduct and complaints. The IAA was formerly the OISC.
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Regulates solicitors in England and Wales.
Bar Standards Board (BSB). Regulates barristers.
Other legal regulators. For example, chartered legal executives.
If someone is not on one of these registers and does not qualify for an exemption, they should not be advising you.
IAA adviser or solicitor: a side-by-side comparison
| Question | IAA regulated adviser | Immigration solicitor |
|---|---|---|
| Who regulates them? | Immigration Advice Authority | Solicitors Regulation Authority |
| Can they prepare visa applications? | Yes, within their level | Yes |
| Typical fees | Often lower | Often higher |
| Insurance and complaints | Professional indemnity cover required; IAA complaints scheme | Professional indemnity cover; Legal Ombudsman |
| Best for | Straightforward and complex applications within and outside the rules (depending on regulatory level) | Complex, contested or refused cases |
Fees vary widely by firm and by case. The table shows the general pattern, not a price list.
What the IAA levels mean
The IAA divides advisers into levels:
Level 1. Advice and immigration caseworker that are straightforward or complex and within the immigration rules.
Level 2. Adds work on applications that need Human Rights and are outside the immigration rules.
Level 3. Adds immigration tribunal appeals.
Noble Rose Immigration Service Ltd is regulated at Level 1 (registration F202535916). That means we work on both straightforward and complex immigration applications within the rules. We tell you plainly when a case is beyond our scope.
When a regulated adviser makes sense
A first or extension application where your facts are clear and your evidence is available.
You want a document check before you pay a large Home Office fee.
You want a fixed scope and price agreed in writing.
You are applying from outside the UK and want someone who can work across time zones.
Your budget is limited and your case is routine.
What it costs
Immigration advice costs vary by case and by firm. There are two parts to the cost: the Home Office fee and the adviser's professional fee. Our own fees at Noble Rose are:
| Service | Our fee |
|---|---|
| Initial advice | £60 to £125 |
| Document check | £200 to £700 |
| Family applications | £400 to £1,050 |
| Work and business | £500 to £1,100 |
| Student, tourist and other | £300 to £500 |
| Citizenship | £400 to £1,050 |
| Corporate work | By enquiry |
Ask any adviser or solicitor for a written scope and price before work begins, and ask what happens if the case is refused.
How to check an adviser
Search the register. Check the IAA register of regulated advisers, or the SRA register for solicitors. Match the name, the organisation and the registration number.
Check the level. Confirm that the level covers your type of case.
Ask for a written agreement. It should state what is included, the fee and how you can complain.
Ask about insurance. Regulated advisers must have professional indemnity cover.
Be wary of guarantees. No one can guarantee a Home Office decision.
Avoid unregulated agents. Many agents abroad are not authorised to give UK immigration advice or representation.
Applying from outside the UK
IAA regulation covers the type of work, not where the client lives. A regulated adviser can advise and represent clients abroad on matters within their level. Be careful about agents in your own country who offer to arrange a UK visa: ask them for their IAA or SRA registration number, and check it on the register before you pay.
How we work
We aim to be clear about three things from the start: what we can do, what it will cost, and what we cannot do. We offer a eligibility check, then initial advice, then a document check or full application support. See our spouse and partner visa service, Skilled Worker service or ILR service for the details of each route.
Is an IAA adviser as good as a solicitor?
For the work within their level, an authorised adviser can be just as competent. The difference is in the scope of each authorisation level.
Is an IAA adviser cheaper?
Often, but fees depend on the firm and the case. Compare written quotes.
How do I check that someone is regulated?
Search the IAA register or the SRA register and match the registration number.
Can I use an adviser outside the UK?
Yes, authorised advisers can advise clients overseas on matters within their level.
What does IAA stand for?
Immigration Advice Authority, the regulator that replaced the OISC.
Can you recommend a solicitor if I need one?
Yes, we will tell you when your case needs one and explain what to look for.
This page is general information, not advice on your case. Rules and fees change; always check GOV.UK.
Not sure which you need? Start with a eligibility check, or contact us.
Discuss Your Immigration Legal Strategy
Meet Our Team
Bill Zahr
Principal Lawyer & Managing Director
Bill Zahr (LLB Hons) leads Noble Rose Immigration Service with a methodical, "law-first" approach. Guided by the ethos ‘Navigare per Legem’, Bill combines rigorous legal expertise with genuine empathy to navigate complex UK immigration cases. Formerly of a top-tier UK firm, he ensures every client receives transparent, elite, and personalised care.
Renzel Carlos
Client Relations Manager & Immigration Paralegal
Renzel Carlos (LLB Hons, First Class) is the primary liaison at Noble Rose Immigration Service. Currently undertaking the Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) programme, she combines a meticulous legal foundation with deep frontline experience. Renzel is dedicated to guiding clients through the emotional complexities of immigration with high-level professionalism, precision, and compassionate care.
