How to become
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
- specialist courses run by professional bodies
Apprenticeship
You could apply to an immigration advice provider or law firm to do a Legal Executive Level 6 Apprenticeship, or Solicitor Level 7 Apprenticeship.
You could then specialise in immigration work after completing your apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
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Volunteering
Getting experience in an organisation that works with immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers will be useful when you apply for jobs or training. You may wish to volunteer with organisations like:
Direct Application
You may be able to apply directly for jobs if you're a qualified legal executive or solicitor.
To specialise in immigration as a legal executive, it'll help if you can find a job with a firm that deals with immigration and asylum issues, whilst training. You can find more information about qualifying from the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
To work in immigration as a solicitor or barrister, it will be useful if you can do some of your training in this area of work. You can find more information about how to become a solicitor or barrister from The Law Society and The Bar Council.
Other Routes
You do not necessarily need a law degree, or any degree, to give immigration advice regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).
This may be a quicker way into the profession and you can decide which areas of immigration, asylum and nationality law you want to work in.
There are 3 levels of regulation and each requires a minimum amount of experience, for example:
- level 1 - basic immigration advice within the Immigration Rules - a minimum of 3 months' experience
- level 2 - more complex work, including applications outside the Immigration Rules - a minimum of 12 months' experience
- level 3 - includes appeals work and a minimum of 18 months' experience
To register with the IAA, you'll need to attend training, pass an exam and meet their standards.
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Registration
you'll need to register with the Immigration Advice Authority
Career tips
It may be an advantage in some jobs if you can speak a second language.
Immigration advisers work for different types of employers, including legal firms, charities and community organisations.
Professional and industry bodies
You can join the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
Further information
You can find out more about how to get into immigration advice work, and the rules about what type of work you can do at each level, from the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association and the Immigration Advice Authority.