UK immigration adviser applications temporarily paused

A pause in adviser registration

On 28 October 2026, the Immigration Advice Authority announced an immediate pause in all types of new registration applications while it changes its process. The revised application journey is due to start on 17 November. This concerns applications to the adviser regulator, not a suspension of visa or citizenship applications submitted by migrants. Official source.

Assessment before an organisation applies

Under the revised sequence, individuals who need a competence assessment must pass it before joining an organisation’s application or applying to establish their own organisation. Employment history and right-to-work information will be requested at the outset. The authority says applications already in the system will follow the previous process, while recognised assessment exemptions remain available.

A start date is not an appointment promise

Online competence assessments remain temporarily paused. The authority says resumption during November depends on completing the necessary arrangements, and warns that demand may cause delays. Organisations should distinguish launch of the application journey from an individual assessment date, successful registration and permission to begin a particular activity.

Prepare a complete onboarding file

An organisation planning to recruit should identify which adviser needs an assessment, which may rely on an exemption and what evidence each route requires. Retain employment-history records, right-to-work evidence and the proposed allocation of responsibilities. Do not present an intended appointment as regulatory approval or assume that passing an assessment alone completes registration.

Hypothetical example

A small advice business plans to add an adviser in mid-November. If that person must pass an assessment, including their name in a future organisational application will not remove that prerequisite. The business should plan its staffing and client communications around the actual assessment and registration position rather than the calendar date alone.

What clients should check

A client can ask who will provide the advice and verify the relevant professional status before paying. The administrative pause is neither proof that an existing adviser has lost authorisation nor permission for an unregistered person to practise. Those with live immigration deadlines should continue addressing them through an appropriately authorised adviser while the registration process changes.

Legal check date

Sources and law checked on 29 October 2026. Later developments are not reflected automatically. Application of the rules depends on the individual facts.