Are You in Good Hands with Your Immigration consultants?
Immigration is a major life decision, so it’s vital to trust experienced and reliable professionals who won’t leave your application to chance.
Before choosing an immigration solicitor, consider these key points:
Do they have a strong track record of success?
How long have they been practicing?
What do their clients say about them?
Do they provide professional, efficient, and dependable service?
Are they fully qualified and registered with the appropriate regulatory bodies?
What is their reputation based on?
Do they treat your case with the same importance as you do?
At ZAR Immigration, we understand how critical your immigration matters are and are committed to handling your case with the utmost care and professionalism.
Professional Qualifications: Solicitors, Barristers, OISC-Registered Advisors – What’s the Difference?
Navigating the variety of legal qualifications in the UK can be confusing. Here’s a simple guide:
Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). They usually handle a broad range of legal matters. It’s crucial to ensure your solicitor specialises in immigration law because it is highly complex and constantly evolving. Solicitors juggling many legal areas might not be fully up-to-date with immigration rules, so it’s best to choose someone devoted to this field.
Barristers specialise in advocacy and presenting cases in court. Traditionally, they are instructed by solicitors or OISC advisors, though some now accept direct clients. However, barristers typically do not manage routine communications with the Home Office, gather evidence, or prepare documentation. Skipping solicitors might save money upfront but can be less efficient overall.
OISC-Registered Immigration Advisors are regulated by the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). They may be qualified solicitors or barristers working under OISC supervision, or they might not have formal legal qualifications but have passed OISC exams to practice at specific competence levels.
OISC maintains a public register showing advisers’ competence levels and registration dates. For example, a registration number like F200700033 indicates:
F = fee-charging organisation
2007 = year accredited
33 = order number of approval
OISC has three competence levels:
Level 1 – basic advice and limited work
Level 2 – more complex cases
Level 3 – highest level, including representation at immigration courts (First-tier and Upper Tribunal)
OISC firms usually have lower fees than large solicitor firms due to lower overheads.
Our advice: Always verify that the firm or advisor is properly regulated. Then get in touch to see if their approach and style fit your needs.
— ZAR Immigration
Should I use a local immigration consultants if my application is made abroad?
Definitely not. We strongly recommend using UK-based immigration representatives. The reason is that immigration advice and legal representation are regulated only within the UK. Representatives based abroad do not carry professional responsibility if your application is refused or if the advice they provide is incorrect.
Most UK visa and British citizenship applications are now submitted online and processed in the UK. The decision is then sent to the Entry Clearance Office in the country where you applied. Therefore, a UK-based consultants or advisor is ideally positioned to assist you.
Additionally, UK-based immigration consultants have the authority to file appeals against incorrect decisions and make formal legal submissions. Representatives outside the UK are not authorised to handle immigration appeals or legal challenges on your behalf.
— ZAR Immigration
Getting in touch: Does the location of your immigration consultants matter?
Generally, the physical location of your immigration consultants is not crucial. Whether they are based in London or elsewhere in the UK usually makes little difference. Thanks to modern communication tools like Zoom, phone calls, and email, it’s easy to give and receive instructions and stay updated on your case remotely.
The best way to assess your immigration adviser is simply to get in touch. You should be able to have a brief conversation about your case and get some initial feedback. This will help you gauge their knowledge and professionalism. A good adviser will respond promptly to your emails, return calls, and schedule appointments without delay.
— ZAR Immigration
Consultation: Be Careful About Free Legal Advice
It’s natural to want to speak with a consultants before hiring them since you’re trusting them with an important matter.
However, be cautious about free legal advice. Professional legal advice is covered by indemnity insurance, and consultants take it very seriously. They must identify you, keep records, and ensure the advice they give is accurate. If advice is wrong, there can be serious consequences for both you and the consultants.
When you pay for a consultation, you are investing in professional, tailored advice specific to your situation. consultants may ask detailed questions that seem beyond your immediate concerns because they want to understand the full picture and foresee any potential issues.
— ZAR Immigration
Instructing an Immigration consultants: What You Need to Know
Before instructing an immigration consultants, it’s important to agree on the terms of their service. These terms should be clearly set out in a Client Care Letter. This letter will confirm your instructions, explain the fee structure (including any Home Office fees), and outline the complaints procedure in case you are unhappy with the service provided.
— ZAR Immigration
Cost: The Cheapest May Not Be the Most Cost-Effective
Price is often a key factor when choosing a solicitor, but selecting solely based on cost can be risky. The cheapest option might mean your case is handled by someone with too many clients, unable to dedicate enough time and attention to you. Good consultants’ fees typically reflect the time and effort invested in preparing your case thoroughly.
Choosing the right specialist can save you time, stress, and money in the long run. Keep in mind that solicitors with high overheads—like offices in prestigious London locations—may charge more, and these costs are passed on to clients. Consider this factor carefully when making your decision.
— ZAR Immigration
Why Choose ZAR Immigration as Your Immigration consultants?
ZAR Immigration has specialised exclusively in immigration since 2007, building an excellent reputation and an impressive track record of success. You can confidently expect a successful outcome for UK visa applications prepared by ZAR Immigration. Our success rate is 100% for straightforward cases under immigration rules and 98% for cases requiring discretionary Home Office decisions.
Our clients’ testimonials speak volumes about our service.
We are professional consultants accredited by the OISC at the highest level. We pride ourselves on being approachable—whether by phone or email, we respond promptly.
We offer a free initial case assessment to provide a quote for representation or document checking. For more detailed discussions about eligibility or prospects, we recommend booking an appointment for tailored immigration advice before instructing us.
Wherever possible, we provide a clear, set-fee quote so you know exactly what to expect. You will receive an engagement letter outlining our terms and conditions. We usually work on a fixed-fee basis, giving you peace of mind even if your case requires extra work.
Visit our fees page to get an idea of our pricing before requesting a personalised quote.
— ZAR Immigration
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