IAA Level 2 Accreditation Training Course

Our IAA Level 2 course runs over three days and covers more complex casework, meaning applications outside the Immigration Rules. With this accreditation delegates can take on immigration cases involving overstays, illegal entry, administrative review, and applications or representations backed by asylum or human rights grounds, on top of everything permitted at Level 1.

With new key changes including revised syllabus, additional components on Code of Standards, and now the competence assessment is at the start of the adviser application journey, it has never been more important than attending IAA training.

This course is aimed at immigration advisers seeking accreditation at IAA Level 2, and may also suit those who want to become better acquainted with immigration and asylum law.

Key Topics Covered in HJT’s IAA Level 2 Course

Our IAA Level 2 course runs over three days. Across the three days, the course covers:

• Family life, partners and parents under Appendix FM, including EX1
• Children (Appendix FM and Part 8)
• Domestic violence
• Private life
• Article 8 outside the Rules
• 10-year long residence rule
• General grounds of refusal, and criminal offences
• Administrative Review
• Rights and grounds of appeal, Tribunal procedure rules
• Enforcement – removal and deportation, detention and bail
• EEA including right to reside for the unemployed, retained and derivative rights, extended family members, Surinder Singh, expulsion and appeals
• British citizenship by naturalisation and registration
• Ethics
• Exam tips and techniques
• The new component – Code of Standards

This three-day course is tailored to less experienced practitioners preparing to accredit at Level 2, rather than progressing straight to the more advanced IAA Level 3 course. Although the course doesn’t go into the same depth as the more advanced Level 3 course, trainers still need to move at a fairly intensive pace to cover all of this ground in three days.

What Can You Do With IAA Level 2 Accreditation?

There are three categories of work at each level: Immigration, Asylum and Protection, and Judicial Review Case Management.

A Level 2 qualification includes everything permitted at Level 1, plus more complex and discretionary casework.

Immigration

In the Immigration category, this covers ongoing casework on discretionary or complex applications, and representations on behalf of clients who have overstayed or entered the UK unlawfully. Level 2 advisers can lodge a notice of appeal, but can’t represent a client at the appeal hearing itself.

Asylum and Protection

In the Asylum and Protection category, Level 2 covers all aspects of a client’s asylum and related human rights applications. As with the Immigration category, advisers can lodge a notice of appeal but cannot represent the client at the hearing.

For the full, current breakdown of what each level and category permits, see the IAA’s adviser registration guidance.

Who Should Take This Course

This course suits:

• IAA Level 1 advisers preparing to accredit at Level 2
• Solicitors, barristers and CILEX professionals wanting a firmer grasp of immigration and asylum casework
• Caseworkers and paralegals with some immigration experience who need to move into more complex casework
• Firms training up staff ahead of an IAA Level 2 assessment
• Anyone who wants to become better acquainted with immigration and asylum law more broadly, without necessarily sitting the IAA exam

This course moves at a faster pace than Level 1, so some existing familiarity with immigration law, ideally through IAA Level 1 accreditation or equivalent experience, will help you keep up.

Where IAA Level 2 Can Take You

IAA Level 2 accreditation lets your organisation take on the more complex casework that most firms and advice services eventually need to handle, including overstayers, human rights based applications, and asylum casework. It’s the level most organisations doing anything beyond basic Immigration Rules work will need, and it’s the required step before progressing to IAA Level 3.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IAA Level 2 the same as OISC Level 2?

Yes. The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) was rebranded to the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) in 2026. The levels, exams and competence requirements are unchanged, only the name and the regulator’s branding have updated.

Do I need IAA Level 1 before I can register at Level 2?

Yes. You must pass the Level 1 assessment before you can sit the Level 2 assessment. There’s no separate Level 1 assessment in the Asylum and Protection category, so this only applies if you’re registering in Immigration.

How much does the IAA Level 2 exam cost?

There’s no separate exam fee. The cost is built into your IAA registration application, which for Level 2 currently starts at £2,232 for organisations with 1 to 4 advisers. Fees are set by the IAA and confirmed on their official portal when you apply.

When are the IAA Level 2 exam dates?

Level 2 assessments are held quarterly, less often than the monthly Level 1 assessments. Exact dates are published on the IAA’s official portal.

What happens if I don’t pass the IAA Level 2 exam?

You won’t be able to resit within the same application. If you fail, the IAA may offer you approval at Level 1 instead, or refuse the application outright. To apply again at Level 2, you’ll usually need to show substantial further training or at least 3 to 6 months of additional relevant experience before the IAA will consider a resit.

Can I progress to Level 3 after this course?

Yes. Level 2 is the standard step before Level 3, which covers specialist casework and advocacy, including representing clients before the Tribunal.

Getting your IAA Level 2 registration right the first time saves you months, not just an exam fee. Book your place on a course built by the people who write the assessment, and go in prepared rather than guessing.