On 1st February 2019 the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) will open a new registration scheme aimed at organisations that want to advise EU citizens on their applications for settlement in the UK.
The scheme is aimed at not for profit and charitable organisations. Successful organisations will be granted authorisation for two years at Level One Immigration – although this will be limited only to the EU Settlement Scheme. Decisions on applications are expected to be made around four-to-six weeks after receipt of the application.
To demonstrate “fitness and competence”, organisations will need to show that they have satisfied the relevant competency standards and evidenced that they are fit to provide immigration advice. However, they will not be required to undertake the OISC Level 1 written examination.
To help organisations provide advice and services to EU citizens about the settlement scheme, the Home Office is providing £9 million in funding. The Home Office is also looking to commission a training course, which organisations bidding for funding can access. This should assist them in demonstrating to the OISC that they have the right level of knowledge and so support their applications for the new registration scheme.
All current OISC registered organisations, that are authorised in the category of Immigration, are already registered to provide immigration advice about the EU Settlement Scheme.
The OISC is an independent public body, established under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, to regulate the provision of immigration advice and services in the UK.
Article published 24th January 2019