IAA Level 3 Accreditation Training Course

Our IAA Level 3 course is designed to help prepare those sitting for the IAA Level 3 exam. It’s the accreditation that lets you represent clients at appeal, taking on the specialist casework and advocacy that sits above everything permitted at Levels 1 and 2. We consider those elements of the new revised syllabus that will be examined at Level 3, so you go into the exam knowing exactly what’s being tested and why.

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 advisers preparing to sit the IAA Level 3 exam, as well as senior caseworkers and solicitors who want formal recognition for the complex casework and appeal-level work they’re already handling.

Key Topics Covered in HJT’s IAA Level 3 Course

The course covers those elements of the syllabus that will be examined at Level 3, including:

• The IAA Level 3 competence assessment
• Appeals: statutory appeal rights, the appeal Procedure Rules and Practice Directions for the First-tier and Upper Tribunals
• Appeals: preparation and conduct
• Enforcement: removal, deportation, detention and bail
• Judicial review pre-action letters
• Code of Standards

We use past papers and practical exercises throughout to help develop your skills and knowledge, including exam technique.

This course does not cover the full syllabus of the Level 2 part of the Level 3 exam. We recommend you also attend our three-day Level 2 course, which focuses on the Level 2 elements you’ll also be tested on.

Who Should Take This Course

This course would suit:

• Advisers preparing to sit the IAA Level 3 exam
• IAA Level 1 or Level 2 advisers progressing their accreditation
• Solicitors, barristers and CILEX professionals wanting recognition for appeal-level immigration and asylum work
• Senior caseworkers already handling complex casework who need formal Level 3 accreditation
• Firms preparing staff to represent clients before the Tribunal in-house

This is our most advanced course, and it moves quickly. A solid grounding in Level 2 material will help you keep up, which is why we recommend pairing it with our Level 2 course if you haven’t covered that material elsewhere.

Where IAA Level 3 Can Take You

IAA Level 3 accreditation lets your organisation represent clients at Tribunal, something that’s out of reach at every other level. It’s the natural next step for senior caseworkers, and the level most firms need before they can offer a genuine in-house appeals service rather than referring that work elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IAA Level 3 the same as OISC Level 3?

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 to be registered at Level 2 before I can register at Level 3?

Not necessarily. In the Immigration category, you’ll need to have passed the Level 1 assessment, but you don’t have to be registered at Level 2 first, provided you can demonstrate the experience the IAA requires for Level 3. Many advisers do go through Level 2 first anyway, since the knowledge builds directly towards Level 3.

Do I need experience to take this course?

To register at Level 3 with the IAA, advisers are generally expected to have at least 18 months’ experience providing UK immigration advice, including 6 months of Level 3 work.

When are the IAA Level 3 exam dates?

Level 3 assessments are held quarterly, the same cadence as Level 2. Exact dates are published on the IAA’s official portal.

What happens if I don’t pass the IAA Level 3 exam?

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

Can I take this course without having done Level 2 training?

Yes, but the Level 3 exam also tests Level 2 material, and this course focuses only on the Level 3 elements of the syllabus. If you haven’t covered the Level 2 syllabus elsewhere, we’d recommend attending our Level 2 course alongside this one.

Is Level 3 the highest level of IAA accreditation?

Yes. Level 3 is the highest of the three levels. Some Level 3 advisers go on to apply for the separate Judicial Review Case Management (JRCM) authorisation, but that sits alongside Level 3 rather than above it.

Getting your IAA Level 3 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.