Immigration advisers · PII
PI insurance for UK OISC / IAA immigration advisers
Reviewed by Matthew Bartlett, Director, Apex Insurance Brokers Limited · Published 14 July 2026
Immigration advisers in the UK operate under either OISC/IAA regulation (non-solicitor practitioners) or SRA framework (immigration solicitors). Both face distinctive PI considerations around visa decisions, application timelines, and Home Office engagement.
Regulatory framework
- Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) (formerly Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner — OISC).
- Levels of authorisation based on scope of advice permitted.
- Immigration solicitors regulated by SRA under MTC.
- Home Office as counterparty for applications.
- Fitness-to-practise under IAA framework.
Common claim triggers
- Missed application deadlines. Visa or leave-to-remain expires; client faces enforcement.
- Wrong-category application. Application under wrong route; refused.
- Documentation errors. Supporting documentation missed or incorrect.
- Advice on route selection. Wrong recommendation on immigration route.
- Home Office decision challenges. Where the adviser handles appeals.
- Fitness-to-practise proceedings. IAA regulatory action.
Cover-sizing
- Individual IAA adviser — typically £500k-£2m.
- Small immigration consultancy — £1m-£2m.
- Mid-market immigration firm — £2m-£5m.
- Immigration solicitors under SRA MTC — MTC minimums (£2m/£3m per claim).
Frequently asked
Do IAA immigration advisers need PI insurance?
Yes. IAA authorisation typically requires PI cover appropriate to the scope of practice.
What are the IAA authorisation levels and how do they affect PI?
Different levels permit different scopes of advice. PI cover should reflect the specific level of practice authorised. Higher-level authorisation typically at higher cover.
How does immigration solicitor PI differ from IAA?
Solicitors under SRA hold MTC-compliant PII (£2m/£3m minimum per claim). IAA advisers hold cover to IAA standards which are typically less prescriptive.
What about Home Office fee refund claims?
Where the adviser's error caused the client's application to fail, refund claims may follow. Standard PI covers civil defence.
How much cover do immigration advisers need?
£500k-£2m for IAA level; SRA MTC minimums for solicitors. Higher for volume practices.
Does PI cover advice on complex appeals?
Standard PI covers advisory activity including appeals within the authorised scope. Immigration Tribunal representation may need specific extension for non-solicitor advisers.
What if my client's leave is refused?
Refusal doesn't automatically mean adviser error. Where the adviser's work fell below professional standards, PI responds to civil claims. Refusal for eligibility reasons unrelated to advisory quality typically not a PI matter.
Are there specific insurers for immigration adviser PII?
Small specialist market. Some professional PI insurers write IAA cover; some don't. Specialist broker familiar with the sector helps.