Immigration Adviser

Help people and employers navigate UK visa, sponsorship and citizenship applications.

This UK immigration adviser career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.

Quick facts

Starting salary
£25,000 - £32,000
Mid-career salary
£35,000 - £55,000
Senior salary
£60,000 - £100,000
Work environment
Office or hybrid
Time to entry
1 - 3 years (OISC levels or law route)
Degree required
Not required
Category
Business, Finance and Legal

What a Immigration Adviser does

Help people and employers navigate UK visa, sponsorship and citizenship applications.

  • OISC Level 1 Adviser - Initial immigration advice for individuals.
  • OISC Level 2/3 Adviser - Complex casework including appeals.
  • Business Immigration - Sponsor licences and skilled worker visas.
  • Asylum and Human Rights - Asylum and appeals work in legal aid firms.

How to become a Immigration Adviser

  1. Look up Immigration Adviser roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
  2. Talk to someone already working as a Immigration Adviser - even a 15-minute call helps
  3. Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
  4. Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
  5. Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month

Key skills

  • Immigration rules
  • Client comms
  • Casework
  • Empathy
  • Drafting