Learn immigration law: Immigration Advice Authority / OISC Level 1
Our entry-level immigration law training courses are ideal for aspiring Immigration Advice Authority (formerly OISC) advisers seeking accreditation and for other budding immigration lawyers. We cover everything you need to know to get started in immigration law: how immigration law works, all about family and business immigration, nationality law, the EU Settlement Scheme and more.
We offer two options:
Live small group training
- Live training by video link with a tutor
- Eight small group workshops spread over four weeks
- Group size capped at 10
- Access to our best-in-class online materials and course eBook
- Additional materials reinforcing key learning points
- Discuss scenarios based on real life immigration problems similar to the questions you will face in the OISC level 1 exam
Online materials
- Study in your own time at your own pace
- Access to our best-in-class online materials
- Take our online quizzes and mock multiple choice tests
- Get a certificate of completion
- Join as a Free Movement annual member for just £240 plus VAT
- Includes access to our full range of members’ courses
- Claim our member’s discount of 20% on live training courses
Live small group training
Really helpful and not as stuffy as the ones I’ve looked at elsewhere. Great tips on those of us who are trying to gauge the things to ask clients and balance this with keeping the bundles to the barest essentials, without over-bloating on facts and relevance.
This was a complex area but very well and thoroughly explained … Good legal summary of the position which I can use in practice.
About the Learn Immigration Law live group training course
Our small group ‘Learn immigration law: Immigration Advice Authority Level 1’ course is perfect for those wanting to learn immigration law for the first time. You do not need any prior experience and you do not need previous legal training. It is aimed at those who are new to immigration law.
Why should you take this course?
If you want to give yourself the best possible chance of passing the Immigration Advice Authority level 1 exams, this is the way to do it. If you work or volunteer for a charity or NGO and want to get a better handle on the system as a whole, the course is perfect for you. If you are already a lawyer but want to transition into doing more immigration work… you get the picture.
Our approach blends guided learning, self-study, a structured course and small group workshops across four weeks. This offers a much better and more relaxed learning environment than a compacted crammer course. It gives you the chance to think about what you are learning and digest the material you cover. This gives you the best opportunity to really understand how immigration law works.
The course costs £600 + VAT for Free Movement members, and £700 + VAT for non-members. Non-members can of course sign up as members, starting at just £24 per month plus VAT.
What will you get if you sign up?
Our courses are led by qualified lawyers with extensive experience in immigration and asylum law practice. As well as genuinely expert tuition, you will get:
- Eight small group workshops (maximum of 10 trainees) spread over four weeks. See below for syllabus.
- Access to our best-in-class online materials and course eBook
- Additional materials reinforcing key learning points
- An opportunity to discuss scenarios based on real life immigration problems similar to the questions you will face in the Immigration Advice Authority level 1 exam
- A certificate of completion
Important information before you enrol: What to expect from this course
How much preparation is there for each workshop?
We expect you to complete the pre-workshop reading for each session. We estimate that this will take approximately 20 hours of self-study throughout the course. While the course is self-paced, we recommend setting aside dedicated study time to ensure you are well-prepared for each session.
What do you expect from me during each workshop?
Please join each workshop promptly to ensure we start on time. Our schedule is tight, and we want to make the most of every moment.
To create a distraction-free environment, we ask that trainees mute their microphones when they are not speaking. This helps minimise background noise, ensuring a smoother experience for everyone. At the same time, this is a highly interactive course so we like everyone to have their cameras on. Keeping your camera on during our workshops fosters lively discussions and strengthens our sense of connection. Remember, we are in this together for four weeks!
Finally, we want you to participate! Your engagement and active participation is key to extracting the maximum benefit from this course. Do not hesitate to share your thoughts and questions during discussions and group work.
How is the course delivered?
The course is delivered via a series of workshops on Zoom. Between workshops, you will be expected to complete pre-reading from materials provided to you by us on certain topics. Our materials include videos, quizzes and practical case studies to enhance your learning.
What happens after I book my place?
After you book your place on the course, you will receive an email receipt along with a ticket. One hour after booking, you will also receive your course information, including access to our IAA Level 1 eBook to study from and your Course Workbook. The workbook contains all the information you need to prepare for the course, including the list of pre-reading, case studies for each session and Zoom joining details. If you don’t receive these emails within 1 hour, check your junk mailbox. If you find the emails in there, add editor@freemovement.org.uk to your contact list. If you still haven’t received these emails, contact us using that same address. On the morning of each session you will also receive a reminder email, including the Zoom link, to join the workshop later that day.
Do I need legal experience to take this course?
No prior legal experience, training or qualifications are required. This training is structured to be accessible to beginners while also being beneficial for those with some background in immigration law.
Will this course qualify me to provide immigration advice?
No. You must first become accredited by one of the specific regulators, for example the Immigration Advice Authority. You need to apply directly through the Immigration Advice Authority website and wait to be entered for an exam. Free Movement training does not include exam registration. For more information, have a read of our explainer: ‘How to become an Immigration Advice Authority adviser‘.
Who will my course tutor be?
Our courses are led by qualified lawyers with extensive experience in immigration and asylum law practice. While our tutors are highly experienced practitioners, they do not necessarily have expertise on the details of the Immigration Advice Authority exam and registration process. Free Movement is not affiliated with the Immigration Advice Authority, and while our team will do our best to answer any questions you have, the best place to direct queries about the exam or registration process is info@immigrationadviceauthority.gov.uk.
Does the course include information on the Immigration Advice Authority accreditation scheme?
The course follows the IAA syllabus and is designed and intended to teach the legal knowledge and legal skills necessary to pass the exams. The trainer will focus on substantive immigration law and process, not on the details of the IAA accreditation scheme. We run a separate short workshop advertised here on the accreditation scheme and on exam preparation, which includes an opportunity to take a mock exam and have it marked with feedback. Trainees who complete our 4-week course are eligible for a 50% discount on these workshops.
Does the course include exam practice?
Each workshop contains a case study and a set of questions which you will receive in advance of the session. The case studies are modelled on the format of Section 2 of the Immigration Advice Authority Level 1 exam, while also reflecting real-life scenarios and client queries. These scenario-based questions provide excellent exam preparation and practical experience.
This course does not include a full mock exam. If you’re looking for focused exam preparation, you can enrol in one of our dedicated exam preparation workshops advertised here. Trainees who complete our 4-week course are eligible for a 50% discount on these workshops.
I am not planning to register as an Immigration Advice Authority adviser. Can I still take this course?
Yes! You can take this course even if you do not plan to register as an IAA adviser. The training is designed to provide a solid foundation in UK immigration law and is valuable for caseworkers, volunteers, legal professionals and anyone working with migrants in the UK. Many people take this course to improve their knowledge, support their work or explore a potential career in immigration advice, even if they do not intend to take the IAA exam.
How long does it take to complete the course?
The online tutored course is four weeks long. You will have two sessions per week, each one-and-a-half hours long, making eight workshops in total. We estimate 20 hours of self study on top of that. We advise you to complete the pre-reading before each session.
Is there a certificate upon completion?
Yes, you will receive a certificate of completion, which can be useful for demonstrating your training to employers and/or submitting as evidence that you have completed an up-to-date training in immigration law for the purposes of your Immigration Advice authority registration application.
Is the course accredited by the Immigration Advice Authority?
The Immigration Advice Authority does not accredit training organisations but it considers Free Movement to be a well-established professional training provider. It accepts our courses as evidence of training completed which applicants can use in support of their application for registration with the Immigration Advice Authority.
Can I take this course if I am outside the UK?
Yes, the course is available online and the sessions are run via video link using Zoom, and therefore the course can be accessed and completed from anywhere. However, our materials and teaching are specific to UK immigration law, as is the Immigration Advice Authority accreditation.
Course syllabus
Workshop 1: Introduction to immigration law
We begin by outlining how immigration advice and services are regulated in the UK, along with the duties and ethics of immigration advisers. We then look at the key aspects of UK immigration control, focusing on common visa routes and learning terms such as “no recourse to public funds.” You will practice navigating the Immigration Rules and learn how to make, switch, extend and vary an application, as well as what happens if an application is not submitted in time.
Workshop 2: Family members
Next, we delve into Appendix FM and Appendix FM-SE of the Immigration Rules, focusing on the requirements for family members of British citizens, settled residents and those with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. We will also cover the rules for dependent family members of migrants and highlight the routes that do not allow migrants to bring family members to the UK.
Workshop 3: Working and studying in the UK
Next, we cover the work visa routes, including specialised migrant visa categories such as Global Talent and Innovator Founder, the options for sponsored workers, temporary work categories and other work routes such as UK Ancestry and the Youth Mobility Scheme.
We will conclude this workshop by looking at examples of people applying for Student and Graduate visas.
Workshop 4: Asylum and protection
No UK immigration course is complete without an introduction to refugee law. We will be exploring the definition of a refugee, cessation, exclusion, and revocation of refugee status, as well as humanitarian protection and relevant articles of the European Convention on Human Rights. Key topics include the asylum process, asylum support, bail conditions and refugee family reunion.
Workshop 5: EU Settlement Scheme
This workshop addresses Appendix EU, the application process and the types of status that will be granted to people under the EU Settlement Scheme. We will discuss how to evidence that the requirements such as “continuous residence” have been met, and what happens to those who missed the deadline to apply to the scheme. We will also discuss the status of non-EU family members and the process for family members joining their EU national sponsors in the UK.
Workshop 6: Visitors, long residence and returning residents
In this workshop we will be discussing visa and non-visa nationals. We will be advising a client on the merits of their visitor visa application, and the evidence that they can provide to demonstrate they are a “genuine” visitor.
We will then move onto applications made under the 10-year residence route, and meeting the “continuous residence” and “lawful residence” requirements, along with guidance on forms, fees and supporting documents for these applications.
Workshop 7: British nationality law
We will cover how British nationality is obtained, including the distinction between being British by descent and British otherwise than by descent. We will explore the key sources of nationality law, focusing on important sections of the British Nationality Act 1981 and the requirements that need to be met to register and naturalise as British. We will cover the procedure for making an application, including fees and supporting documents, as well as how British citizenship can be lost.
Workshop 8: Refusals, remedies, detention and deportation
We round off the course by exploring the reasons that an application might be refused, such as where there has been deception, criminal offending or other past misconduct. We will look at the appeals process, as well as the other remedies available including administrative review, reconsideration requests and judicial review.
We will also cover who may be subject to immigration detention and how to vary bail conditions. We will conclude the workshop by looking at the difference between deportation and administrative removal.
Book Your Place
Members:
£600 + VAT
Non-members:
£700 + VAT
Sessions take place over Zoom. Trainees will receive a course guide containing information on how to join the first session after they have paid for their place.
Immigration Advice Authority Level 1 training dates
