IAA announces changes to the competence assessment process

Following a recent tender exercise, the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) is progressing a new contract for its competence assessment service; designed to better support advisers and candidates, strengthen assurance of competence, and improve the overall assessment experience.

Key changes to the competence assessment process will include: 

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.