There are changes in the IAA competence assessment process. What’s changing? Key changes to the competence assessment process will include: - assessment questions based on revised syllabuses, ensuring assessments better reflect the knowledge, skills and competence required for practice  - an enhanced assessment that includes an additional component covering the Code of Standards, ethics and professional behaviours, recognising the importance of conduct alongside technical competence - moving the competence assessment to the start of the adviser application journey - more frequent assessment opportunities, giving candidates greater flexibility and reducing waiting times    - a new assessment platform, providing an improved user experience for candidates     - replacing the resource book with access to approved whitelisted websites during the assessment Changes to the application journey In future, candidates wishing to join an IAA-regulated organisation as an adviser will be required to complete and pass the competence assessment before they can be added to that organisation’s application. Individuals seeking to establish their own immigration advice organisation will be required to pass the competence assessment before submitting an application for regulation. The revised approach will create a clearer and more efficient application journey, enabling individuals to demonstrate the required level of competence before investing time in completing the full application process. Candidates who successfully pass the assessment will then be able to proceed with greater confidence and progress more efficiently through registration. The revised sequencing is intended to reduce delays, provide earlier certainty for candidates and organisations, and improve the overall applicant experience.

We are pleased to share information about tomorrow's IAA Adviser Conference, an important event for immigration advisers and those preparing to build a career in immigration advice. The conference provides an excellent opportunity to: 🔹 Keep up to date with developments in immigration law and policy 🔹 Hear from experienced immigration professionals and experts 🔹 Gain insights into current challenges and best practice in immigration advice 🔹 Network with other immigration advisers and professionals 🔹 Develop your professional knowledge and understanding of the immigration advice sector For students currently studying IAA Level 1 or progressing towards a career as an immigration adviser, attending professional events such as this can be a valuable part of your career development. We strongly encourage our members to consider attending where possible and to make the most of the opportunity to learn, network and build professional connections. Please check your email for the joining link from the IAA.

- Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 259, 9 July 2026 - 9 July 2026 - Policy paper - Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1691, 5 March 2026 - 6 March 2026 - Policy paper

A once-in-a-generation overhaul of asylum and immigration appeals will create a single route and end the merry-go-round of repeated appeals. This will lead to faster, fairer decisions, and speed up the removals of foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers. The average time taken to clear cases stands at 61 weeks, leaving more than 150,000 immigration and asylum appeals waiting to be heard. To tackle this, the government will, through the Immigration and Asylum Bill that was confirmed in the King’s Speech, set up a new independent body, which will establish a new framework for appeals to be heard. The Independent Immigration Appeals Authority (IIAA) will be able to prioritise cases in the public interest more easily, including high-harm foreign offenders and human rights claims that are clearly without merit, leading to faster removals. New laws will also ensure that those who are abusing the system to delay or prevent their return are no longer able to do so. Currently, migrants can appeal a rejected claim and then bring further claims about new matters before their removal - a duplication that clogs the system. Requiring all claims to be brought together and creating a single appeal route will allow for faster outcomes. The new authority is set to start hearing appeals from late 2027, to be phased in stages. It will have the flexibility to dynamically scale up and down the number of adjudicators based on demand within the appeals system. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: Today, our appeals tribunal is overwhelmed. As a result, people are gaming the system, lodging vexatious appeals to frustrate their removal. Our new appeals body will ensure claims are heard swiftly and fairly. Those with a legitimate claim will get their hearing. Those who have no right to remain in this country, and are abusing the system, will be swiftly removed. The IIAA will be staffed by professionally trained and independently appointed adjudicators - much like a magistrate - who will have a broad range of skills and backgrounds, with safeguards to ensure high standards.

Calling all registered advisers – save the date for our next Adviser Conference! Join Immigration Advice Authority online on Tuesday 15 September for the latest updates, insights from expert guest speakers and an interactive Q&A session. Here is the link https://iaaadviserconference.webex.com/webappng/sites/iaaadviserconference/meeting/register/120806e8239847d782579e5cea4196e9?ticket=4832534b00000009d4d024977cda609c5091829dcbc18c63334e74878a6887330366d5caa1f732f2&timestamp=1784294555420&RGID=r786e161cec2d1fa623b94667311a85cf&isAutoPopRegisterForm=false