The old PDF application forms are gone. All applications must now be submitted on the IAA Portal.
It is no longer possible to start your own application to register or raise levels with the IAA!
Your organisation's primary contact or a nominated portal administrator must start the application by logging into the portal and entering your details, including a unique e-mail address for you
The primary contact is the person within an organisation who is responsible for the organisation's IAA registration
The primary contact can nominate people within your organisation to be portal administrators, so that they can start applications
You will then receive an e-mail with a link so that you can complete the application
You will need to create a "GOV.UK One Login" (see below) if you do not have one already
According to the IAA: "It is imperative that [you register] with One Login using the same email address as specified in the application form by the primary contact."
You will then need to log in to the IAA portal using your GOV.UK One Login account in order to complete the application
There is some guidance on using the portal none of which is written with advisors in mind. The bits that are most likely to be helpful are:
The process is more than a little clunky. You have to create accounts and/or login in two different places. It will take you through several different screens to do this. But if you follow the instructions on the screen you should get there. Eventually!
KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER:
You MUST use the e-mail address that the primary contact enters into the portal (so make sure your primary contact has the right address!)
Your e-mail address on the portal MUST be unique to you - you cannot share the address with another regulated advisor for the purpose of accessing the portal
You CAN use a personal e-mail address if you do not have a work e-mail address that is unique to you
To log into the portal, you must first create a government "One Login" account. This is a new-ish type of account that could eventually be used to access all government services. The idea is to have a central online service for identity checks to save individual departments and services having to do this.
When you create your One Login account, you will have to upload proof of your identity and provide a mobile phone number. Every time you want to log in to One Login, you will be asked for a password. After you have entered your passport, a 6-digit code will be sent to your mobile. You will need to enter the code to complete the login.
Once you have logged in, you will see three menu items in blue under the government logo:
Your services - the default page, which shows all the government services that you have accessed with your One Login account
Security - where you can change your e-mail address, your password and your phone number, and where you can also delete your One Login account
Sign out - clicking on this will sign you out immediately
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Regardless of whether or not you use a work e-mail and/or phone, your One Login is tied to your identity, not your job or role
Therefore, it belongs to you and not the organisation you work for
You may need it to access other government services in a personal capacity
We strongly recommend that you do not share your login details with anyone else!
We strongly recommend that you do not log in to anyone elses account to make changes on the IAA portal - in effect, you will be impersonating someone else to access regulatory services
We also recommend that you keep your e-mail address and phone number up to date on the account - particularly when leaving an organisation
Primary contacts will want to make sure the organisation's IAA account is transferred to someone else before they leave - as yet it is unclear how this can be done
Primary contacts can nominate administrators - other people who can access the organisation's account to add new advisors or begin applications
1. A recent DBS check that is less than 6 months old
You can use your existing certificate, if it's less than six months old
You can use an older certificate if you are on the update service - you will need to include a screenshot of the online check
Failing that, you can apply for a new DBS through your organisation
You may still be able to apply without evidence of training
But you will need to explain what training or experience you have that means you would be able to pass the assessment
IAA normally expects you to have 3 months experience (for Level 1) or a year (for Level 2/3). However...
This is a discretionary requirement... They can still register you even if you have no experience
If you have no immigration experience, you can make up with experience of other forms of advice (e.g. debt, welfare, housing, etc.)
You do not need to provide a full CV!
You only need to tell them about relevant jobs or roles
You do not need to tell them about jobs or roles you did that have no bearing on advice giving (e.g. stacking shelves at the local supermarket)
You can include volunteering roles
You do not need to write an essay!
You are not competing with other advisors for a limited number of registrations
If you have a right to work, you are not unsuitable (e.g. due to criminal offending, bankruptcy, other regulators decisions, etc.) and you pass the assessment, they should register you...
Level 1 assessments are held every month towards the end of the month. Level 2 and Level 3 assessments are held every three months, usually the day after the Level 1 assessment in February, May, August and November.
Block out your diary for the date of the assessment you would like to sit
Unfortunately, you cannot simply book that date - when you complete your application, the IAA will invite you to the first available assessment.
If you are applying for Level 1:
Aim to complete your application roughly 5 weeks before the assessment you would like to sit
Too early and you might be invited to the assessment before at short notice
Too late and you might miss out on a place!
If you are applying for Level 2 or 3:
Aim to complete your application at least one full month before the assessment you would like to submit
Earlier is better: if there are high numbers of applicants, then you might not get a space on the assessment you want
But don't apply more than three months beforehand, or you might be invited to an earlier assessment at short notice
At the time of writing, IAA are still dealing with record numbers of applications
They are a relatively small organisation with a big remit and limited capacity
You should receive an acknowledgement of your application when you submit
They may contact you if they need further information or documentation
But if all is in order, then your next contact from the IAA is likely to be an invitation to the assessment approximately 2 weeks before the assessment is due to take place
This may be quite a long wait as the Level 2 assessments are once every three months
THis guide is a work in progress. Please e-mail James Conyers if the above information is:
