Immigration advice registration paused until 17 Nov
The Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) has paused all registration application types with immediate effect, and no new applications will be accepted during the pause, according to a GOV.UK notice published on 28 October 2026.
A revised application journey starts on 17 November 2026. Under the new process, individuals must apply for, and pass, the competence assessment before being added to an organisation's application, or before applying to set up their own organisation.
What changes on 17 November
The revised journey also captures key information upfront, including employment history and right-to-work details, in an effort to cut follow-up delays. The online competence assessment itself remains temporarily paused, with resumption expected from November 2026, subject to arrangements outside the IAA's control, and delays are warned of when applications reopen.
People who are exempt from the competence assessment can still join an IAA-regulated organisation through a recognised exemption process. Applications already in the system will stay under the previous process.
Registration with the IAA is the route by which immigration advisers in the United Kingdom are authorised to give advice, so a pause in new registrations affects people planning to enter the regulated profession rather than people who are already registered. Existing regulated organisations and advisers are not described in the notice as losing their status because of the pause, and applications already in the system continue under the previous process.
Check the official page
Anyone planning to apply should check the official GOV.UK page for the current position, as dates and arrangements can change. This article is general information only and is not personal immigration advice.
