Become an IAA Level 1 Immigration Adviser

What Is Included in the IAA Level 1 Syllabus?

The course covers the main legal and practical topics needed for Level 1 immigration advice in the UK. This includes the process of becoming an IAA-accredited adviser and the key areas advisers are expected to understand at this level.

Topics include:

• Overview of the Immigration Rules
• UK Ancestry
• Appendix Visitor, including ETAs and Visitor visas
• Appendix FM, including family and partner visas
• Appendix FM Remainder and Part 8
• Financial requirements
• Appendix EU
• UK settlement routes
• British citizenship
• Appeals and administrative reviews
• IAA regulation and adviser responsibilities
• Basic client care and casework practice

If I Pass the Course, Will I Be a Regulated Immigration Adviser?

Passing this training course alone does not make you a regulated immigration adviser.

To become regulated, you must pass the official IAA Level 1 competence assessment. The IAA exam is separate from this training course and is not included as part of the course booking.

If you pass the IAA Level 1 competence assessment with a score of 60% or above, you may be able to practise as an immigration adviser within the permitted scope of Level 1, provided you also meet the relevant experience requirements. This usually means having at least:

• 3 months of full-time work experience giving immigration advice in the UK, or
• 6 months of advisory experience in another area, such as debt, employment, housing, or welfare advice

You will also need to satisfy the IAA’s wider registration requirements.

If you want focused help with exam strategy, our IAA Level 1 Exam Technique Training is available to help you practise timing, question style, and mark-maximising techniques.

How Is the IAA Level 1 Exam Structured?

The IAA Level 1 assessment is divided into two parts.

Part One: Multiple-Choice Questions

The first section contains 20 multiple-choice questions.

You have 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete this part of the exam. Each question has one correct answer.

Part Two: Scenario-Based Questions

The second section contains scenario-style questions.

You also have 1 hour and 15 minutes for this section. Answers should be clear, legible, and written in plain English.

The scenario section tests your ability to apply your knowledge to practical immigration advice situations, rather than simply recall legal information.

Course Outcomes

This Level 1 training is designed to help you prepare for the competence assessment and understand the day-to-day responsibilities of an immigration adviser working within Level 1 limits.

After completing the course, participants should have:

• Greater confidence preparing for the official IAA Level 1 assessment
• Familiarity with multiple-choice and scenario-based question styles
• Practice in exam timing and answer structure
• A working understanding of basic immigration, nationality, and asylum matters within Level 1 scope
• The ability to assist with basic applications and client enquiries
• A clearer understanding of client interviews, evidence gathering, and record keeping
• Awareness of how to keep clients informed and manage basic correspondence
• Understanding of ethical and professional duties under the IAA Code of Conduct
• Knowledge of key legislation, ECHR principles, free movement rights, enforcement issues, and related areas relevant to Level 1 advice

Who This Course Is For

This course is intended for people who want to become immigration advisers in the UK, as well as those already working in legal or advice settings who need a structured introduction to IAA Level 1.

It may be suitable for:

• People with little or no immigration experience who want to enter immigration casework
• Paralegals, caseworkers, and legal assistants looking to broaden their legal expertise
• Individuals seeking regulated adviser status through the IAA
• Existing immigration staff who need formal Level 1 training or a refresher
• Employers training HR teams or employees for regulated adviser roles
• Advice workers who want to understand the immigration advice framework

Course Eligibility

There are no specific eligibility requirements to attend the training course.

However, if you intend to take the competence assessment and apply to become a regulated Level 1 adviser, you will need to meet the IAA’s registration requirements. These include:

• Registering with the IAA
• Taking and passing a criminal records check
• Submitting an application with details of your qualifications, experience, and training
• Meeting the relevant experience requirements
• Passing the Level 1 competence assessment

How to Register as a Level 1 Adviser After Training

After completing training, those wishing to become regulated must apply through the IAA and meet the relevant criteria.

For Level 1 advisers, the initial registration fee and continued registration fee are paid annually. As stated, the Level 1 registration fee is £733. This may be paid by you as a sole trader, or more commonly by your employer.

To become certified, you must pay the relevant fee, pass the competence assessment, and satisfy the IAA’s remaining registration requirements.

Why Train With Total Law?

Total Law provides professional immigration and legal training for individuals, advisers, employers, HR teams, and legal professionals.

Our IAA Level 1 Immigration Training Course is built to give participants a clear, practical grounding in the Level 1 syllabus while helping them understand what the assessment involves and how immigration advice works in practice.

For anyone planning to begin a career as an immigration adviser, or for organisations training staff toward regulated adviser status, this course offers a focused and accessible starting point.