The Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), the regulator for immigration advisers in the UK, has paused all registration applications while it introduces a revised application process. No new applications are being accepted during the pause, and all new applicants will need to follow the revised process when it becomes available from 17 November 2026.

The change reverses the order of the current journey. Under the revised process, individuals must complete and pass a competence assessment before they can be added to an organisation's application, or before they can apply to establish their own organisation. People who are exempt from the assessment can still join a regulated organisation through a recognised exemption process.

Why the order is changing

The IAA says the new sequence is designed to simplify registration, reduce delays and allow applications to be processed more efficiently. By testing competence earlier, candidates should get a clearer answer sooner, before investing time in the full registration process. The online competence assessment itself remains temporarily paused while the new arrangements are put in place, and the IAA has warned delays are possible given the volume of applications already received and expected demand when testing reopens.

What this does not change

Passing the assessment alone does not authorise someone to give immigration advice. Applicants must still complete the individual and organisational approval process, and can only advise once formally approved to work for an IAA-regulated organisation. This is general news only, not personal immigration advice; applicants should check the official GOV.UK announcement before applying.