how to become an immigration lawyer uk

by Prof. Rossie Hauck 9 min read

Must-Have

  1. Research about the career, responsibilities, duties and skills. The immigration lawyer has the duty to help the immigrants to stay and work in the other countries and telling ...
  2. Go for a Law Degree. A 4-years law degree is an initial requirement for this profession. ...
  3. Language Acquisition. ...
  4. Pass the Bar Exam. ...
  5. Join an Association. ...

To practice in immigration, asylum or nationality law in the UK, you will need to qualify as a barrister or a solicitor, or be regulated by the Institute of Legal Executives or the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner as described below.

Full Answer

What every lawyer needs to know about immigration law?

Nov 30, 2021 · Follow these tips to learn how to become an immigration lawyer: 1. Earn a law degree. The first step to gaining the required qualifications for immigration law is to apply for a law degree. Entry requirements for a law programme are not always the same. They depend on the university or college's admission policy.

What skills do immigration lawyer need?

You qualify as a Solicitor. Then after qualifying gain work experience in a firm specialising in Immigration law, if you want to make Immigration law your speciality. To qualify as a Solicitor ( or as a barrister ) in England and Wales you first complete an undergraduate law degree at a university in England or Wales.

How long does it take to become and immigration lawyer?

Dec 29, 2008 · This guidance informs you about the process of how to become a registered adviser. It includes information about: the application process. applying for the correct level. competence assessment.

How to find an excellent immigration lawyer?

To practice in immigration, asylum or nationality law in the UK, you will need to qualify as a barrister or a solicitor, or be regulated by the Institute of Legal Executives or the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner as described below. And see the government pages on who can give immigration advice for up to date information.

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How long does it take to become an immigration lawyer in UK?

It takes a year to complete full-time LPC training, whereas studying the LPC part-time takes two years. You can apply to the SRA for an exemption from the LPC programme if you have the required skills. You can follow your LPC certificate with a two-year practical training in immigration law.Nov 30, 2021

How much does an immigration lawyer make UK?

How much does a Immigration solicitor make in United Kingdom? The average immigration solicitor salary in the United Kingdom is £40,000 per year or £20.51 per hour. Entry level positions start at £32,500 per year while most experienced workers make up to £62,267 per year.

How do I become an immigration advisor UK?

The 3 levels of regulation are:
  1. level 1 - basic immigration advice within the Immigration Rules - a minimum of 3 months' or 40 hours' experience gained in the last 2 years.
  2. level 2 - more complex work, including applications outside the Immigration Rules - a minimum of 12 months' or 120 hours' experience.

What do immigration lawyers do UK?

Immigration lawyers act for clients making applications to the Home Office for permanent residence in the UK, they appeal Home Office decisions or act for clients who have residency and are seeking to bring their families into the country.

What lawyers get paid the most UK?

Latham & Watkins offer newly-qualified solicitors £137,000. White & Case pay recently qualified lawyers £130,000.
...
For example:
  • Ashurst - £105,000.
  • CMS - £73,000.
  • Dentons - £75,000.
  • Hogan Lovells - £90,000.
  • Norton Rose Fulbright - £82,500.
  • RPC - £66,500.

What type of lawyer earns the most UK?

A simple rule of thumb is that corporate and commercial law fields pay well, personal service law fields pay not so well. Corporate and commercial solicitors can be earning £100k and upwards, personal service law fields (aka high street solicitors) earn up to around £50k in most cases.Mar 26, 2020

What do immigration lawyers do?

Immigration lawyers represent individual and business clients before the USCIS, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and in Immigration Courts and the federal circuit courts on issues dealing with immigration, emigration, visas, green cards, adjustment of status, political asylum, and other important immigration and ...

Who can give immigration advice UK?

1. Legal immigration advice. In the UK only OISC registered immigration advisers (or solicitors, barristers and members of approved professional bodies) are legally able to provide immigration and asylum advice and services to the public.Jul 26, 2016

What does an immigration caseworker do?

Immigration and Asylum Solicitor or Caseworker

To provide advice, casework, and representation to clients on all aspects of immigration and asylum law.

Why do you want to work in immigration law?

Desire to protect citizens: Immigration officers help to ensure the safe and legal immigration of people coming into the U.S. You may want to work in this role because you have a desire to protect U.S. citizens by defending the country's immigration processes.Dec 2, 2021

How can I become a lawyer?

Before law school, students must complete a Bachelor's degree in any subject (law isn't an undergraduate degree), which takes four years. Then, students complete their Juris Doctor (JD) degree over the next three years. In total, law students in the United States are in school for at least seven years.Jul 13, 2021

How long does it take to become an immigration consultant?

In order to become an RCIC, you must first get the appropriate Immigration Consultant Diploma. As with any specialized career, relevant education is required as a first step. These courses typically take six months to one year to complete, depending on whether you are enrolled full-time or part-time.Nov 21, 2021

The Role of an Immigration Lawyer

As an immigration lawyer, you may be working with refugees who are seeking asylum, or you may be working with a worker who may need to obtain a work visa on behalf of a US corporation. However, becoming a lawyer of any type requires a considerable amount of education.

Soft Skills Needed By an Immigration Lawyer

Aspiring immigration lawyers must have fantastic verbal and written communication skills. They will often be working with immigrants who speak English as a second language. Even for those who speak English well, an attorney must be able to explain the complexities of US immigration law.

Bar Requirements

To practice law, you must join a bar organization in the state where you practice. A bar organization requires that you have proof of a law degree. The bar organization will perform a background check to prove that you are of good moral character. Once you have joined the bar, you must remain in good standing to continue to practice law.

Post-Secondary Requirements

You must complete a 3-year Juris Doctor degree. Prior to completing this degree, you must earn a 4-year bachelor’s degree. The degree you complete doesn’t matter though there are pre-law degrees that can help prepare you for law school.

What is immigration advice?

The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, as amended, defines ‘immigration advice’ (section 82) as advice relating to a particular individual given in connection with one or more ‘relevant matters’ by a person who knows that he is giving such advice.

Is deportation a criminal offence?

deportation or removal. bail applications and appeals against deportation. It is a criminal offence for a person to provide immigration advice or services in the UK unless their organisation is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner ( OISC) or is otherwise covered by the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

What is section 84 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999?

The act states that a person is a qualified person if he or she is: a. a registered person with OISC within the UK.

When will advisers be invited to sit OISC?

Applicant advisers will be invited to sit OISC competence assessment when it is confirmed they have completed a Disclosure and Barring Service application and submitted a new adviser competence statement that meets the necessary experience and training requirements.

What is personal information charter?

Our personal information charter contains the standards you can expect when we ask for, or hold, your personal information. It also covers what we ask of you, to help us keep information up to date.

What is level 1 assessment?

The level 1 assessment is a 2 part assessment. The first part is a multiple choice answer test and the second part is an immigration scenario followed by a number of questions about the scenario. Both parts of the assessment must be passed at the same assessment session.

How to become a registered adviser

This guidance informs you about the process of how to become a registered adviser. It includes information about:

OISC online competence assessments

As well as details of the new online assessments, this collection contains immigration and asylum assessment syllabuses, sample question papers, assessment resources, guidance on the assessment process, the marking scheme for assessments and a list of the confirmed assessment dates.

NOTE: Changes to the OISC Level 1 Assessment

A new assessment process for Level 1 is being introduced to bring the assessment in line with Level 2 and Level 3 application processes.

Post assessment processes

Applicants can still expect their assessment results approximately three weeks after they take their assessment. For most applications we will make a decision on their application for registration shortly after the results are available.

Why are we introducing these changes

We are currently reviewing how we can improve standards of immigration advice and how we regulate our advisers. As part of this over the coming months we will be engaging and consulting with you all about our plans for the future. Whilst we do that, we are also looking at some immediate ways we can improve our application process.

Support for Level 1 candidates

To help support Level 1 applicants we are increasing the number of Level 1 sample papers which are available from www.oisc.gov.uk. We encourage all applicants to use these practice papers in advance of the exams before applying for registration. This will help applicants understand if they are ready to sit the Level 1 assessment.

OISC application forms

Application forms for initial OISC registration, EU Settlement Scheme programme, maintaining registration, raising your levels and changing your legal status.

How long does it take to become a barrister?

A law degree will normally take three years full time and a law conversion course ...

What is the qualification to become a barrister?

To qualify as a barrister involves first an academic stage of training, a law degree or, if you already have a degree in another subject, a postgraduate law conversion course leading to the Common Professional Examination (CPE) or the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).

How long does it take to get a law degree?

A law degree will normally take three years full time and a law conversion course one year full time. Both can be done part time. Then you most complete a vocational stage of training, the Bar Professional Training Course. This takes one year full time or two years part time. Then you must complete a year of pupillage.

What is an immigration lawyer?

An immigration lawyer is a legal professional who helps people from other countries who wish to live, work or study within the United States. Immigration laws are typically very complex, and the average person often needs legal assistance to fully understand them. Immigration lawyers work with people regardless of their resident status.

What are the different types of immigration cases?

Some common types of cases for immigration lawyers include: 1 Employment-based green cards 2 Temporary work visas 3 Student visas 4 Asylum seekers 5 Deportation and removal proceedings 6 Applying for a return after deportation 7 Denied immigration application 8 Criminal proceedings

What is international studies?

International studies. These fields of study cover topics such as labor laws, the politics of immigration and the most common reasons for immigration. They also provide you with strong writing and critical thinking skills, from which all lawyers benefit. 2.

What to do after a bachelor's degree?

After graduating with a bachelor's degree, it's time to pursue your J.D. from a law school. If you have the option, it's helpful to choose a concentration or specialization in immigration law to better prepare yourself for your future career.

What to do after graduation?

Throughout your studies and after graduation, it's essential to gain hands-on experience, as many clients and employers look for this when considering who to hire. Whenever possible, seek out internships, volunteer opportunities and part-time jobs that allow you to gain exposure to anything related to your specialization. While any experience working with the law is good, future employers and clients may prefer experience with immigration law.

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Immigration Advisers

  • Immigration advisers provide advice and services mainly on: 1. claims for asylum 2. applications for entry clearance or leave to enter or remain in the UK 3. immigration employment documents 4. nationality 5. citizenship 6. residence 7. deportation or removal 8. bail applications and appeals against deportation It is a criminal offence for a person to provide immigration advice or service…
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Immigration Advice

  • The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, as amended, defines ‘immigration advice’ (section 82) as advice relating to a particular individual given in connection with one or more ‘relevant matters’ by a person who knows that he is giving such advice. This does not include advice given in connection with representing an individual before a court in criminal proceedings or matters anc…
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Check If You Need to Apply For Registration

  • If you wish to provide immigration advice or services, you must apply for registration with OISC. Section 84 (1) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (‘the act’) prohibits the provision of immigration advice or services other than by a ‘qualified person’. The act states that a person is a qualified person if he or she is: 1. a. a registered perso...
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Applying For The Correct Level

  • When completing the application form you should consider both the levels (complexity of work to be undertaken) and categories of advice (areas of knowledge) that you wish to work at. Details of the work covered at each level and category can be found in the guidance on competenceissued by the commissioner. The levels include: 1. level 1: basic immigration advice within the Immigrat…
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Application Process

  • 5.1 Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
    As part of your application for regulation you may need to undergo a DBS service check. Please note that: 1. OISC will only accept a copy of an original DBS certificate if it’s dated within 6 months of the application for regulation being received by OISC (please only provide a copy of the DBSc…
  • 5.2 Application form
    Applications for registration by the OISC are completed online using our electronic application forms and submitted via OneDrive, the OISC’s file sharing platform. Clear instructions on how to do this are provided with each application form found on this website. Please read the instructio…
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After Applying

  • Once you have submitted all the required information and documentation, we will consider your application. The material you have submitted will be assessed for compliance with the code of standards. Each new adviser will be invited to sit a level 1 competence assessment as part of an overall assessment of his or her competence. You may also be asked to sit an assessment at le…
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Data Protection

  • Our personal information chartercontains the standards you can expect when we ask for, or hold, your personal information. It also covers what we ask of you, to help us keep information up to date.
See more on gov.uk