Who we are

Immigration Visa Expert is the trading name of 1st Step Consulting Ltd, a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales under company number 14708821. Registered office: 71–75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9JQ. Website: https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/. General enquiries: info@immigrationvisaexpert.com. Telephone: +44 20 3911 1115.

Immigration advice regulation

Immigration Visa Expert provides UK immigration advice through the regulatory framework of the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), formerly known as the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). The IAA registration number publicly displayed for the practice is F202331586. Please confirm the current organisation name, permitted level, advisers and categories against the IAA Register before publishing this page or changing the regulated service offered.

Only appropriately authorised advisers may provide regulated immigration advice or services; and only within their authorised level and category. Publication of information about a particular visa, sponsor-licence, nationality or appeal route does not mean that we are authorised to accept every matter. Where work is outside the authorisation, we may decline it or, with consent where required, refer the client to an appropriately authorised independent professional.

IAA register and adviser verification: https://www.gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser/search-for-an-adviser. The IAA does not issue visas or decide immigration applications.

Professional conduct

Our regulated work is subject to the IAA Code of Standards 2024 and associated applicable regulatory obligations. This includes duties relating to honest dealing, professional competence, confidentiality, written client care, complaints, proper case records, fair fees and appropriate safeguarding of client money. Information on the Code is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oisc-code-of-standards-commissioners-rules-2012.

Professional indemnity insurance

IAA-regulated organisations are required to maintain current and adequate professional indemnity insurance. Clients may request relevant details of the Firm’s current cover, subject to privacy, security and commercially reasonable restrictions. A public liability insurance policy is not a substitute for the professional indemnity insurance required for regulated advice.

The Firm must verify and maintain its actual insurance cover and policy details; no insurer name, policy limit or endorsement is represented by this notice.

Not a government agency or immigration decision maker

We are independent of the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration, British embassies, visa application centres, endorsement bodies and the IAA. Only the relevant authority decides whether an application, endorsement, licence or status is granted. We neither guarantee an outcome nor control decision dates, official charges or third-party services.

Professional titles and memberships

The Firm is an IAA-regulated immigration advice business, not by reason of that authorisation a firm of solicitors or an SRA-authorised law practice. Staff titles and descriptions must accurately reflect their individual qualifications and regulatory permissions; restricted titles must not be used unless lawfully held.

The Website currently records ILPA membership number 9248. ILPA membership is a professional association membership and should not be described as an additional regulatory licence, statutory accreditation or endorsement of any client outcome. Any educational counselling certification is likewise distinct from IAA authorisation.

Scope of overseas immigration and other services

Information concerning overseas visas, education, training or international mobility is descriptive and does not imply authorisation by an overseas legal regulator, foreign government or embassy. Where foreign-law advice or reserved legal services are needed, the client must be directed to a suitably qualified and authorised provider. Any separate consultancy or referral relationship should be described transparently before paid work begins.

How professional services begin

Website browsing, general enquiries and preliminary discussions do not of themselves establish a professional retainer. Before regulated work commences, the client will receive a suitable client care letter and written information concerning scope, fees, service arrangements and complaints. We retain written or electronic evidence of the client’s agreement in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Fees and client money

The Firm maintains an appropriate published fee scale and supplies individual written fee information before engagement. Professional fees are distinct from applicable Home Office or other government fees and third-party charges. Where we receive money in advance or hold money for a client, applicable client-account and regulatory requirements govern its treatment.

Payments may be made to the bank account held in the registered name 1st Step Consulting Ltd rather than the trading name Immigration Visa Expert. Clients should verify bank details through a trusted channel before paying and should not act on unexpected changes transmitted by email alone.

Complaints and protection of clients

Clients may submit a complaint under the Firm’s Complaints Handling Procedure or complain directly to the IAA about regulated advice or conduct. IAA Complaints Team: complaints@immigrationadviceauthority.gov.uk; telephone 0345 000 0046; website https://www.gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser/complain-about-an-adviser. Data protection complaints are handled under our Privacy Policy and applicable ICO guidance.

No Win No Fee and service representations

The ‘100% No Win No Fee’ promotion applies only to specifically accepted applications and stages under the separately agreed written acceptance notice. It is a conditional professional-fee refund arrangement, not a claim about success rates or a government decision guarantee. The separate No Win No Fee Terms contain the applicable definitions and exclusions.

Company disclosures and contact

Legal name: 1st Step Consulting Ltd | Trading name: Immigration Visa Expert | Registered in England and Wales | Company number: 14708821 | Registered office: 71–75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9JQ | IAA Registration: F202331586 | ILPA membership: 9248 | Contact email: info@immigrationvisaexpert.com | Telephone: +44 20 3911 1115.

Where the Firm displays the IAA logo it does so only in accordance with the IAA’s approval instructions. Current permissions and registration particulars should always be checked against the official IAA register.