Advanced immigration and asylum training: Immigration Advice Authority / OISC Level 2
Ideal for immigration lawyers and Immigration Advice Authority (formerly OISC) advisers seeking to undertake complex immigration and asylum practice beyond an introductory level. Free Movement members enjoy instant access to our online, self-study course materials. To take your learning to the next level, sign up to one of our live small group training courses with a dedicated tutor.
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 IAA level 2 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.
What People Say About Our Immigration Advice Authority Level 2 Training
Great news—I passed my Level 2 OISC exams on my first try this May!
After attending various Level 2 training courses over the past two years, Free Movement’s was by far the best—clear, well-structured, and easy to follow. The small group size ensured high-quality training and efficient use of time. As a busy Director, I appreciated the well-organised, timely sessions with no IT issues. Jasmine provided thorough materials and follow-up, making the course worth every penny. We’ve already booked another staff member for the course. If you’re taking the Level 2 OISC exam, this course is a must!
MISHAL PATEL, BUSINESS DIRECTOR VISAS, SABLE INTERNATIONAL
About the Immigration Advice Authority Level 2 live group training course
Why should you take this course?
Whether you are an Immigration Advice Authority (formerly OISC) Level 1 adviser aspiring to become accredited at Level 2 or a paralegal, solicitor or barrister who wants to get a better grasp of more complex immigration and asylum practice, our tutored small-group course is the best way to improve your skills and knowledge.
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.
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 solicitors with extensive experience in immigration and asylum law practice. As well as genuinely expert tuition, you’ll get:
- Eight small group workshops (maximum of 10 trainees) based around case studies on genuine immigration law problems which will help build your confidence and refine your advisory skills
- Access to our best-in-class online materials and course eBook
- Additional materials reinforcing key learning points
- A certificate of completion
Free Movement is a well-established professional training provider. The Immigration Advice Authority accepts courses provided by Free Movement as evidence of training completed which applicants can use in support of their application for registration with the IAA.
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 40 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 any qualifications to take this course?
This course is aimed at those preparing to work on more complex immigration and asylum casework. While we do not require trainees to show us that they hold a specific qualification, we would expect trainees to be qualified as one of the following, or have the following experience:
- Immigration Advice Authority Level 1 accreditation
- Solicitor, barrister or CILEX professional
- Caseworker, paralegal or academic with at least 6 months practical immigration/asylum law experience
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 immigration and asylum syllabuses 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 the Immigration Advice Authority Level 2 exams, 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 become a Level 2 Immigration Advice Authority adviser. Can I still take this course?
Yes! You can take this course even if you are not an IAA adviser. The training is designed for those who want to get a better grasp of more complex immigration and asylum practice. On previous courses, we’ve had solicitors, barristers, academics and employees from the Home Office.
Many people take this course to improve their knowledge, support their work or explore a transition to immigration law practice, 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 40 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 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: Entry and stay (Part 1)
Our first workshop focuses on family visa applications and the requirements for partners and other family members. We’ll go through some of the more challenging concepts, such as sole responsibility, and applications that can only be submitted by Level 2 caseworkers (or above), such as settlement on the grounds of domestic abuse.
Workshop 2: Entry and stay (Part 2)
Next we’ll revise some of the other applications that can be made under the Immigration Rules. We’ll focus on how to handle more complex immigration situations, for instance, where someone is making a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Workshop 3: Article 8 in family and private life applications
Next we turn to look at how Article 8 ECHR is applied in immigration cases and how the proportionality assessment is carried out in family and private life cases.
Workshop 4: Asylum, protection and refugee family reunion
In this workshop we’ll explore the asylum process in the UK, including inadmissibility. We’ll also think about handling refusals and the circumstances in which a failed asylum seeker can make a fresh claim, along with refugee family reunion.
Workshop 5: Discretionary leave and leave outside the Rules
Some people who wish to enter or stay in the UK simply do not fit into any immigration category no matter what they do, and may need to apply for “leave outside the Rules”. In this workshop we will consider Article 3 medical cases and where an applicant must make arguments to enter or remain on “compelling and compassionate” grounds.
Workshop 6: British nationality law
We’ll look at how British nationality is obtained by children and adults, applying the key provisions of the British Nationality Act 1981 to our case studies. We also discuss how British nationality can be lost, including via renunciation, deprivation and nullification.
Workshop 7: Refusals and challenging immigration decisions
It’s always important to consider why an application could be refused, pre-empting any issues before it’s submitted. In this workshop, we’ll discuss the remedies available where an application is refusal. This will include determining if someone has a right to an appeal and how to lodge an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.
Workshop 8: Immigration offences and enforcement
Finally we turn to immigration offences and enforcement action, for example where the Home Office takes the decision to remove a person from the UK. We’ll cover how apply for bail for someone in immigration detention, and making representations to the Home Office to challenge 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 2 training dates
