IAA Registration Changes: What Immigration Advisers and Organisations Need to Know

The Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) is introducing a revised application process from 17 November 2026, aimed at making registration applications simpler, reducing delays and improving processing times for immigration advisers and organisations.

In an important update published on 28 October 2026, the IAA confirmed that all application types have been temporarily paused to allow the new arrangements to be implemented. The changes will affect individuals seeking to become regulated immigration advisers, as well as organisations applying for registration or continued registration.

For anyone planning to establish an IAA-regulated organisation or join an existing firm, understanding the new process will be essential.

Why is the IAA changing its registration process?

Under the current system, organisations must provide details of the advisers who will work for them. Where an adviser needs to complete a competence assessment, the organisation’s application cannot progress until that adviser has passed.

This has created potential delays, particularly when candidates need to rebook or retake an assessment before the organisation’s registration can move forward.

The revised process is designed to address this issue by requiring individuals to complete the relevant competence assessment before they are included in an organisation’s application. The IAA also intends to collect the information needed to assess applications at the point of submission, reducing the need for further enquiries and additional paperwork.

According to the IAA, these changes should allow applications to progress more efficiently while enabling its staff to spend less time resolving incomplete applications and more time assessing applications and supporting applicants.

What are the key changes?

Under the revised arrangements, individuals who are required to complete a competence assessment must pass it before they can be added to an organisation’s registration application. This means that prospective advisers and organisations will need to plan ahead. Rather than beginning the registration process and waiting for an adviser to complete the assessment, the individual will need to satisfy the assessment requirement first.

The same principle applies to individuals who want to establish their own IAA-regulated organisation: where a competence assessment is required, it must be passed before they can apply to establish that organisation.

The revised application process will require key information to be supplied when the application is submitted. This includes details such as employment history and right to work information. Under the existing arrangements, some of this information may be requested after submission, creating additional correspondence and delays. By collecting the necessary information at the beginning, the IAA aims to reduce follow-up enquiries and make the application process more straightforward.

The IAA has confirmed that all application types have been paused with immediate effect to allow the changes to be introduced. During this period, no new applications will be accepted. Applicants will need to follow the revised process once it becomes available on 17 November 2026.

Applications that were already in the system before the transition will continue to be dealt with under the previous process.

Assessment still paused

The online competence assessment service also remains temporarily paused while the new arrangements are implemented.

The IAA has previously indicated that assessments are expected to resume from November 2026, subject to the necessary arrangements and dependencies being completed. However, the IAA has warned that delays may occur because of the volume of applications already received and anticipated demand when assessments reopen.

Further updates and confirmed assessment dates will be published on the IAA website.

What does this mean for prospective immigration advisers?

Anyone considering entering the immigration advice sector should take these changes into account when planning their training and registration journey. If you are required to sit a competence assessment, you will need to pass it before applying to join an IAA-regulated organisation or establish your own firm. This makes preparation for the assessment an important early step. Prospective advisers should also ensure that they understand the relevant syllabus, prepare the information they will need for their application and allow for potential delays while the revised system is introduced.

Organisations planning to recruit new advisers or apply for registration or continued registration should familiarise themselves with the revised requirements.

How HJT Training can help

At HJT Training, we recognise the importance of keeping candidates informed and ensuring they have the support they need throughout their training. We have reviewed the revised syllabus and assessment requirements so that our training and preparation materials reflect the relevant changes. We will also help our current trainees understand the new requirements, including the additional emphasis on ethics, professional behaviour and the IAA Code of Standards.

If you are already undertaking IAA training with us, you can be reassured that we will guide you through the relevant changes and support your preparation for the revised assessments.

Our aim is to help you approach your assessment with a clear understanding of what is expected and the confidence to move forward in your professional journey.

The exams will most likely return in November 2026, however preparing for these changes should start immediately. You should prepare yourself effectively to give yourself the best chance in successfully passing your assessments. Especially now you can not submit your application unless you pass the assessment first.

At HJT Training, we can help candidates understand the revised requirements and prepare for the knowledge, competence and professional standards expected under the new assessment arrangements in our Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 training courses. As well as our Open University courses Level 1 and Level 2/3.

We can also help you with the full registration process, see here for more 

Stay informed, plan ahead and make sure you are ready for the changes.