Work with a regulated immigration advisor

Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and never provides legal advice. When your case needs tailored assistance, the safest route is an advisor regulated in your destination jurisdiction.

Regulators by destination

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) — Regulates non-solicitor immigration advisers providing services in the UK. Previously the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — Regulates solicitors in England and Wales who provide immigration services.
Republic of Ireland
- Law Society of Ireland (Law Society) — Regulates solicitors in Ireland who may provide immigration advice.
Federal Republic of Germany
- Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer (BRAK) — Federal Bar Association — oversight body for the regional bar associations that licence lawyers (Rechtsanwälte) authorised to give immigration advice.
Portuguese Republic
- Ordem dos Advogados (OA) — Portuguese Bar Association — regulates lawyers (advogados) authorised to give immigration advice.
Kingdom of Spain
- Consejo General de la Abogacía Española (CGAE) — General Council of Spanish Bar Associations — oversees the 83 regional bars that licence Spanish lawyers (abogados).
Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten (NOvA) — Netherlands Bar — regulates advocaten authorised to give immigration advice.
United Arab Emirates
- UAE Ministry of Justice — Lawyers Affairs Department (MOJ) — Licenses legal consultants and lawyers authorised to practice in UAE courts.
Canada
- College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) — National regulator of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs).
- Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC) — Federation of provincial law societies regulating Canadian lawyers authorised to give immigration advice.
Commonwealth of Australia
- Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) — Registers Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) authorised to provide Australian immigration assistance for a fee.
United States of America
- State bar associations (State bars) — US state bars regulate attorneys authorised to give immigration legal advice. Non-attorneys cannot give legal advice on immigration matters; EOIR accreditation exists for recognised organisations providing limited assistance.
- Executive Office for Immigration Review — Recognition & Accreditation Program (EOIR R&A) — Recognises nonprofit organisations and accredits their representatives to assist with immigration matters before DHS and EOIR.
Republic of Singapore
- Law Society of Singapore (LawSoc) — Regulates Singapore-qualified lawyers who may provide immigration advisory services.
New Zealand
- Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) — Licenses immigration advisers in New Zealand. Only licensed advisers, lawyers, or exempt persons may provide immigration advice for profit.
- New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) — Regulates New Zealand lawyers who may provide immigration advice.
French Republic
- Conseil National des Barreaux (CNB) — National Bar Council — oversees the 164 local bar associations (barreaux) regulating avocats authorised to give immigration advice in France.
Italian Republic
- Consiglio Nazionale Forense (CNF) — National Forensic Council — regulates avvocati (lawyers) authorised to give immigration legal advice in Italy.
Japan
- Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) — Oversees bengoshi (lawyers) authorised to provide immigration legal advice. Certified administrative procedures specialists (gyōsei shoshi) can also handle immigration filings.
Swiss Confederation
- Swiss Bar Association (SAV) — Federation of cantonal bar associations regulating lawyers authorised to practise in Switzerland.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Bar Association (SBA) — Regulates licensed lawyers (muhami) authorised to practise in Saudi courts.
Republic of Korea
- Korean Bar Association (KBA) — Regulates byeonhosa (lawyers) authorised to provide immigration legal services in Korea.
Kingdom of Sweden
- Swedish Bar Association (Advokatsamfundet) — Regulates advokater authorised to practise law in Sweden, including immigration legal services.
Republic of Austria
- Austrian Bar Association (ÖRAK) — Regulates Rechtsanwälte authorised to provide legal advice on immigration matters in Austria.
Kingdom of Denmark
- Danish Bar and Law Society (Advokatsamfundet) — Regulates advokater practising in Denmark.
Kingdom of Norway
- Norwegian Bar Association (Advokatforeningen) — Regulates advokater practising law in Norway, including immigration legal services.
Republic of Finland
- Finnish Bar Association (FBA) — Regulates Finnish attorneys-at-law (asianajajat) who may provide immigration legal advice.
Kingdom of Belgium
- Orde van Vlaamse Balies (OVB) — Regulates lawyers registered with Dutch-speaking bar associations in Belgium.
- Ordre des barreaux francophones et germanophone (OBFG) — Regulates lawyers registered with French- and German-speaking bar associations in Belgium.
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
- Ordre des Avocats du Barreau de Luxembourg (OABL) — Regulates Luxembourg avocats authorised to provide legal advice, including immigration matters.
Czech Republic
- Czech Bar Association (CBA) — Regulates Czech attorneys (advokati) authorised to provide legal services.
Republic of Poland
- Naczelna Rada Adwokacka (NRA) — National Bar Council regulating Polish advocates (adwokaci).
- Krajowa Izba Radców Prawnych (KIRP) — National Chamber of Attorneys-at-Law regulating radcowie prawni.
Republic of Estonia
- Estonian Bar Association (EBA) — Regulates Estonian sworn advocates authorised to provide legal services.
Hellenic Republic
- Plenary of Greek Bar Associations (Greek Bars) — Coordinates Greek bar associations that regulate lawyers authorised to practise law in Greece.
Republic of Malta
- Chamber of Advocates Malta (COA) — Professional body for advocates in Malta; legal practice is regulated under Maltese law.
Republic of Cyprus
- Cyprus Bar Association (CBA) — Regulates advocates practising law in Cyprus.
United Mexican States
- Barra Mexicana, Colegio de Abogados (BMA) — National professional bar association; Mexican legal practice is licensed and supervised under state and federal professional rules.
Federative Republic of Brazil
- Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil (OAB) — Statutory body regulating the legal profession in Brazil; only OAB-registered advogados may provide legal consultation, including on immigration and residence matters.
Argentine Republic
- Colegio Público de la Abogacía de la Capital Federal (CPACF) — Bar association that registers and regulates lawyers practising in the City of Buenos Aires, including those advising on immigration and residence matters.
Republic of Chile
- Colegio de Abogados de Chile (CACh) — Professional association and ethics body for lawyers in Chile, including those advising on immigration matters.
Oriental Republic of Uruguay
- Colegio de Abogados del Uruguay (CAU) — Voluntary professional association of Uruguayan lawyers; immigration matters do not require representation but applicants often instruct a CAU-member abogado for document legalisation and notarial certificates.
Republic of South Africa
- Legal Practice Council (LPC) — Statutory body established under the Legal Practice Act, 2014 that regulates all legal practitioners in South Africa, including those providing immigration-related legal services.
Republic of Mauritius
- Mauritius Bar Association (MBA) — Professional body for barristers in Mauritius, constituted under the Mauritius Bar Association Act 1957.
Republic of Kenya
- Law Society of Kenya (LSK) — Statutory bar association; membership is mandatory to practise as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
- The Law Society of Hong Kong (Law Society) — Statutory body regulating the professional conduct of solicitors, trainee solicitors and foreign lawyers in Hong Kong, including those who provide immigration advice.
Taiwan (Republic of China)
- Taiwan Bar Association (TBA) — Self-regulatory body for licensed attorneys in Taiwan; immigration matters are commonly handled by attorneys or by the government agencies directly.
Malaysia
- Malaysian Bar (Malaysian Bar) — Statutory body regulating advocates and solicitors in Peninsular Malaysia; verify any legal representative against the Bar.
Kingdom of Thailand
- Lawyers Council of Thailand (LCT) — Statutory regulator of the legal profession in Thailand; lawyers advising on immigration matters are admitted and disciplined by the Council.
Republic of India
- Bar Council of India (BCI) — Statutory body regulating legal practice and the admission of advocates in India.
State of Qatar
- Ministry of Justice (Qatar) (MOJ) — Supervises the legal profession and lawyer licensing in Qatar and operates the official Lawyers Portal.
State of Israel
- Israel Bar Association (IBA) — Statutory body that licenses and regulates lawyers in Israel; mandatory membership to practise law, including immigration practitioners.
Republic of Türkiye
- Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) — Public professional body uniting Türkiye's provincial bar associations; lawyers admitted through these bars are the regulated providers of legal representation, including immigration matters.
Republic of Indonesia
- Indonesian Advocates Association (PERADI) (PERADI) — Regulates advocates (lawyers) in Indonesia under Law No. 18/2003. Indonesia has no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; immigration agents are not separately licensed, so verify any representative is a licensed advocate.
Republic of the Philippines
- Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) — Mandatory national organisation of lawyers in the Philippines. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; expatriate work is additionally gated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
- Ministry of Justice (Vietnam) (MoJ) — Supervises the legal profession and the Vietnam Bar Federation. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; immigration service agents are not separately licensed.
Republic of Colombia
- Consejo Superior de la Judicatura (CSJ) — Maintains the national registry of lawyers (Registro Nacional de Abogados) in Colombia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; immigration representation is provided by licensed lawyers.
Republic of Costa Rica
- Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Costa Rica (Colegio de Abogados) — Statutory bar association regulating lawyers in Costa Rica. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; verify any representative with the Colegio.
Republic of Panama
- Órgano Judicial de Panamá (Órgano Judicial) — Oversees the legal profession in Panama. Panamanian law requires a licensed lawyer (abogado) to file residency applications; there is no separate immigration-adviser regulator.
Federal Republic of Nigeria
- Nigeria Certified Immigration Agent (NCIA) — Official Nigeria Immigration Service certification and registry for immigration and visa agents — a rare government-run adviser register. Verify any agent against the NCIA registry.
- Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) — Regulates legal practitioners in Nigeria who may provide immigration representation.
Arab Republic of Egypt
- Egyptian Bar Association (EBA) — Syndicate regulating lawyers in Egypt. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; verify any representative is a licensed lawyer.
Republic of Ghana
- Ghana Bar Association (GBA) — Professional association of lawyers in Ghana. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; the Ghana Immigration Service administers permits directly.
Kingdom of Bahrain
- Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Awqaf (Bahrain) (MOJ) — Supervises the legal profession in Bahrain. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; work permits are regulated by the LMRA and residence by NPRA.
Sultanate of Oman
- Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs (Oman) (MJLA) — Oversees the legal profession in Oman. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; residence is administered by the Royal Oman Police.
Georgia
- Georgian Bar Association (GBA) — Self-governing body of advocates in Georgia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; verify any representative is a licensed advocate.
Republic of Croatia
- Croatian Bar Association (HOK) — Independent professional body regulating attorneys in Croatia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator.
Hungary
- Hungarian Bar Association (MÜK) — National body of the Hungarian bar regulating attorneys. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing decides applications.
Republic of Serbia
- Serbian Bar Association (AKS) — Professional association regulating attorneys in Serbia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator.
Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Citizenship by Investment Unit (Authorised Agents) (CIU) — The CIU licenses and supervises Authorised Agents; citizenship-by-investment applications must be filed through a government-licensed agent. There is no separate immigration-adviser regulator.
Antigua and Barbuda
- Citizenship by Investment Unit (Authorised Agents) (CIU) — The CIU licenses and supervises Authorised Agents; citizenship-by-investment applications must be filed through a government-licensed agent. There is no separate immigration-adviser regulator.
Commonwealth of Dominica
- Citizenship by Investment Unit (Authorised Agents) (CBIU) — The CBIU licenses and supervises Authorised Agents; citizenship-by-investment applications must be filed through a government-licensed agent. There is no separate immigration-adviser regulator.
Grenada
- Investment Migration Agency (Authorised Agents) (IMA) — The IMA licenses and supervises Authorised Agents; citizenship-by-investment applications must be filed through a government-licensed agent. There is no separate immigration-adviser regulator.
Saint Lucia
- Citizenship by Investment Unit (Authorised Agents) (CIU) — The CIU licenses and supervises Authorised Agents; citizenship-by-investment applications must be filed through a government-licensed agent. There is no separate immigration-adviser regulator.
Barbados
- Barbados Bar Association (BBA) — Professional body of attorneys-at-law in Barbados. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Commonwealth of The Bahamas
- The Bahamas Bar Association (Bahamas Bar) — Professional body of attorneys in The Bahamas. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Dominican Republic
- Poder Judicial de la Republica Dominicana (Poder Judicial) — Oversees the legal profession in the Dominican Republic. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Cayman Islands (British Overseas Territory)
- Cayman Islands Government (Legal Practitioners Act) (Cayman Islands Government) — WORC administers immigration; attorneys are regulated under the Legal Practitioners Act. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator.
People's Republic of China
- National Immigration Administration (NIA) — There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; work permits are employer- and government-driven, and lawyers are regulated by the Ministry of Justice.
Republic of Bulgaria
- Ministry of Justice (Bulgaria) (MoJ) — Supervises the legal profession in Bulgaria. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Romania
- National Union of Romanian Bars (UNBR) — National body of the Romanian bar regulating attorneys. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
- Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) — National body of attorneys-at-law in Sri Lanka. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Republic of Ecuador
- Consejo de la Judicatura (Ecuador) (Consejo de la Judicatura) — Oversees the legal profession in Ecuador. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Republic of Armenia
- Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia (Chamber of Advocates) — Self-governing body of advocates in Armenia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.
Republic of Albania
- Ministry of Justice (Albania) (MoJ) — Supervises the legal profession in Albania. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Republic of Paraguay
- Corte Suprema de Justicia (Paraguay) (Corte Suprema) — Oversees the legal profession in Paraguay. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Kingdom of Morocco
- Ministry of Justice (Morocco) (MoJ) — Oversees the legal profession and the bars in Morocco. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Republic of Rwanda
- Rwanda Bar Association (RBA) — Professional body of advocates in Rwanda. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.
Republic of Botswana
- Law Society of Botswana (LSB) — Statutory body regulating attorneys in Botswana. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Republic of Kazakhstan
- Ministry of Justice (Kazakhstan) (MoJ) — Oversees advocacy and the legal profession in Kazakhstan. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; work permits are handled by the labour authorities.
Kingdom of Cambodia
- Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC) — Professional body of lawyers in Cambodia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed lawyers.
Republic of Uzbekistan
- Ministry of Justice (Uzbekistan) (MoJ) — Oversees the legal profession and the Chamber of Advocates in Uzbekistan. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator.
Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
- Nepal Bar Council (NBC) — Statutory body regulating advocates in Nepal. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.
Montenegro
- Bar Association of Montenegro (Advokatska komora) — Independent professional body regulating attorneys in Montenegro. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator.
Republic of Moldova
- Union of Advocates of Moldova (UAM) — Professional body of advocates in Moldova. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.
Republic of Slovenia
- Bar Association of Slovenia (OZS) — Independent professional body regulating attorneys in Slovenia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator.
Republic of Peru
- Colegio de Abogados de Lima (CAL) — Bar association regulating lawyers in Lima, Peru. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed lawyers.
Republic of El Salvador
- Corte Suprema de Justicia (El Salvador) (CSJ) — Oversees the legal profession in El Salvador. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed lawyers.
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
- Jordanian Bar Association (JBA) — Professional body of lawyers in Jordan. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed lawyers.
Republic of Fiji
- Fiji Law Society (FLS) — Professional body of legal practitioners in Fiji. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator, and official sources warn against unregistered migration agents; use a licensed legal practitioner.
Jamaica
- General Legal Council (Jamaica) (GLC) — Regulates attorneys-at-law in Jamaica. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; work permits are handled separately by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
United Republic of Tanzania
- Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) — Professional body of advocates in Tanzania. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.
Republic of Azerbaijan
- Ministry of Justice (Azerbaijan) (MoJ) — Oversees the legal profession and the bar in Azerbaijan. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
- Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) — Professional body of attorneys in Trinidad and Tobago. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Iceland
- Icelandic Bar Association (LMFI) — Professional body of attorneys in Iceland. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Republic of Lithuania
- Lithuanian Bar Association (LAT) — Professional body of advocates in Lithuania. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.
Belize
- Belize Bar Association (BBA) — Professional body of attorneys in Belize. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Republic of Guatemala
- Colegio de Abogados y Notarios de Guatemala (CANG) — Bar association regulating lawyers and notaries in Guatemala. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed lawyers and notaries.
Republic of Namibia
- Law Society of Namibia (LSN) — Statutory body regulating legal practitioners in Namibia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed legal practitioners.
Republic of Latvia
- Latvian Council of Sworn Advocates (LZAP) — Professional body of sworn advocates in Latvia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by sworn advocates.
Slovak Republic
- Slovak Bar Association (SAK) — Professional body of advocates in Slovakia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.
Republic of Vanuatu
- Vanuatu Law Society (VLS) — Professional body of legal practitioners in Vanuatu. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; citizenship-by-investment is administered by the separate Citizenship Commission.
Mongolia
- Mongolian Bar Association (MBA) — Professional body of lawyers in Mongolia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed lawyers.
State of Kuwait
- Kuwait Bar Association (KBA) — Professional body of lawyers in Kuwait. Residency is sponsor-tied and employer-handled; there is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator.
Brunei Darussalam
- Attorney General Chambers (Brunei) (AGC) — Oversees the legal profession; advocates and solicitors are admitted by the Chief Justice. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; foreign-worker licensing sits with the Labour Department.
Principality of Liechtenstein
- Liechtenstein Bar Association (LIRAK) — Professional body of attorneys in Liechtenstein. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; residence allocation is administratively driven (lottery and government quota).

Partner advisors

Partner advisor listings are opening soon. Any partner surfaced here will display a regulator credential (e.g. OISC / IAA, RCIC/CICC, MARA, state bar) with a verification link.

Regulators by destination

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) — Regulates non-solicitor immigration advisers providing services in the UK. Previously the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — Regulates solicitors in England and Wales who provide immigration services.

Republic of Ireland

Law Society of Ireland (Law Society) — Regulates solicitors in Ireland who may provide immigration advice.

Federal Republic of Germany

Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer (BRAK) — Federal Bar Association — oversight body for the regional bar associations that licence lawyers (Rechtsanwälte) authorised to give immigration advice.

Portuguese Republic

Ordem dos Advogados (OA) — Portuguese Bar Association — regulates lawyers (advogados) authorised to give immigration advice.

Kingdom of Spain

Consejo General de la Abogacía Española (CGAE) — General Council of Spanish Bar Associations — oversees the 83 regional bars that licence Spanish lawyers (abogados).

Kingdom of the Netherlands

Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten (NOvA) — Netherlands Bar — regulates advocaten authorised to give immigration advice.

United Arab Emirates

UAE Ministry of Justice — Lawyers Affairs Department (MOJ) — Licenses legal consultants and lawyers authorised to practice in UAE courts.

Canada

College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) — National regulator of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs).
Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC) — Federation of provincial law societies regulating Canadian lawyers authorised to give immigration advice.

Commonwealth of Australia

Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) — Registers Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) authorised to provide Australian immigration assistance for a fee.

United States of America

State bar associations (State bars) — US state bars regulate attorneys authorised to give immigration legal advice. Non-attorneys cannot give legal advice on immigration matters; EOIR accreditation exists for recognised organisations providing limited assistance.
Executive Office for Immigration Review — Recognition & Accreditation Program (EOIR R&A) — Recognises nonprofit organisations and accredits their representatives to assist with immigration matters before DHS and EOIR.

Republic of Singapore

Law Society of Singapore (LawSoc) — Regulates Singapore-qualified lawyers who may provide immigration advisory services.

New Zealand

Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) — Licenses immigration advisers in New Zealand. Only licensed advisers, lawyers, or exempt persons may provide immigration advice for profit.
New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) — Regulates New Zealand lawyers who may provide immigration advice.

French Republic

Conseil National des Barreaux (CNB) — National Bar Council — oversees the 164 local bar associations (barreaux) regulating avocats authorised to give immigration advice in France.

Italian Republic

Consiglio Nazionale Forense (CNF) — National Forensic Council — regulates avvocati (lawyers) authorised to give immigration legal advice in Italy.

Japan

Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) — Oversees bengoshi (lawyers) authorised to provide immigration legal advice. Certified administrative procedures specialists (gyōsei shoshi) can also handle immigration filings.

Swiss Confederation

Swiss Bar Association (SAV) — Federation of cantonal bar associations regulating lawyers authorised to practise in Switzerland.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Bar Association (SBA) — Regulates licensed lawyers (muhami) authorised to practise in Saudi courts.

Republic of Korea

Korean Bar Association (KBA) — Regulates byeonhosa (lawyers) authorised to provide immigration legal services in Korea.

Kingdom of Sweden

Swedish Bar Association (Advokatsamfundet) — Regulates advokater authorised to practise law in Sweden, including immigration legal services.

Republic of Austria

Austrian Bar Association (ÖRAK) — Regulates Rechtsanwälte authorised to provide legal advice on immigration matters in Austria.

Kingdom of Denmark

Danish Bar and Law Society (Advokatsamfundet) — Regulates advokater practising in Denmark.

Kingdom of Norway

Norwegian Bar Association (Advokatforeningen) — Regulates advokater practising law in Norway, including immigration legal services.

Republic of Finland

Finnish Bar Association (FBA) — Regulates Finnish attorneys-at-law (asianajajat) who may provide immigration legal advice.

Kingdom of Belgium

Orde van Vlaamse Balies (OVB) — Regulates lawyers registered with Dutch-speaking bar associations in Belgium.
Ordre des barreaux francophones et germanophone (OBFG) — Regulates lawyers registered with French- and German-speaking bar associations in Belgium.

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Ordre des Avocats du Barreau de Luxembourg (OABL) — Regulates Luxembourg avocats authorised to provide legal advice, including immigration matters.

Czech Republic

Czech Bar Association (CBA) — Regulates Czech attorneys (advokati) authorised to provide legal services.

Republic of Poland

Naczelna Rada Adwokacka (NRA) — National Bar Council regulating Polish advocates (adwokaci).
Krajowa Izba Radców Prawnych (KIRP) — National Chamber of Attorneys-at-Law regulating radcowie prawni.

Republic of Estonia

Estonian Bar Association (EBA) — Regulates Estonian sworn advocates authorised to provide legal services.

Hellenic Republic

Plenary of Greek Bar Associations (Greek Bars) — Coordinates Greek bar associations that regulate lawyers authorised to practise law in Greece.

Republic of Malta

Chamber of Advocates Malta (COA) — Professional body for advocates in Malta; legal practice is regulated under Maltese law.

Republic of Cyprus

Cyprus Bar Association (CBA) — Regulates advocates practising law in Cyprus.

United Mexican States

Barra Mexicana, Colegio de Abogados (BMA) — National professional bar association; Mexican legal practice is licensed and supervised under state and federal professional rules.

Federative Republic of Brazil

Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil (OAB) — Statutory body regulating the legal profession in Brazil; only OAB-registered advogados may provide legal consultation, including on immigration and residence matters.

Argentine Republic

Colegio Público de la Abogacía de la Capital Federal (CPACF) — Bar association that registers and regulates lawyers practising in the City of Buenos Aires, including those advising on immigration and residence matters.

Republic of Chile

Colegio de Abogados de Chile (CACh) — Professional association and ethics body for lawyers in Chile, including those advising on immigration matters.

Oriental Republic of Uruguay

Colegio de Abogados del Uruguay (CAU) — Voluntary professional association of Uruguayan lawyers; immigration matters do not require representation but applicants often instruct a CAU-member abogado for document legalisation and notarial certificates.

Republic of South Africa

Legal Practice Council (LPC) — Statutory body established under the Legal Practice Act, 2014 that regulates all legal practitioners in South Africa, including those providing immigration-related legal services.

Republic of Mauritius

Mauritius Bar Association (MBA) — Professional body for barristers in Mauritius, constituted under the Mauritius Bar Association Act 1957.

Republic of Kenya

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) — Statutory bar association; membership is mandatory to practise as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China

The Law Society of Hong Kong (Law Society) — Statutory body regulating the professional conduct of solicitors, trainee solicitors and foreign lawyers in Hong Kong, including those who provide immigration advice.

Taiwan (Republic of China)

Taiwan Bar Association (TBA) — Self-regulatory body for licensed attorneys in Taiwan; immigration matters are commonly handled by attorneys or by the government agencies directly.

Malaysia

Malaysian Bar (Malaysian Bar) — Statutory body regulating advocates and solicitors in Peninsular Malaysia; verify any legal representative against the Bar.

Kingdom of Thailand

Lawyers Council of Thailand (LCT) — Statutory regulator of the legal profession in Thailand; lawyers advising on immigration matters are admitted and disciplined by the Council.

Republic of India

Bar Council of India (BCI) — Statutory body regulating legal practice and the admission of advocates in India.

State of Qatar

Ministry of Justice (Qatar) (MOJ) — Supervises the legal profession and lawyer licensing in Qatar and operates the official Lawyers Portal.

State of Israel

Israel Bar Association (IBA) — Statutory body that licenses and regulates lawyers in Israel; mandatory membership to practise law, including immigration practitioners.

Republic of Türkiye

Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) — Public professional body uniting Türkiye's provincial bar associations; lawyers admitted through these bars are the regulated providers of legal representation, including immigration matters.

Republic of Indonesia

Indonesian Advocates Association (PERADI) (PERADI) — Regulates advocates (lawyers) in Indonesia under Law No. 18/2003. Indonesia has no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; immigration agents are not separately licensed, so verify any representative is a licensed advocate.

Republic of the Philippines

Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) — Mandatory national organisation of lawyers in the Philippines. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; expatriate work is additionally gated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ministry of Justice (Vietnam) (MoJ) — Supervises the legal profession and the Vietnam Bar Federation. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; immigration service agents are not separately licensed.

Republic of Colombia

Consejo Superior de la Judicatura (CSJ) — Maintains the national registry of lawyers (Registro Nacional de Abogados) in Colombia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; immigration representation is provided by licensed lawyers.

Republic of Costa Rica

Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Costa Rica (Colegio de Abogados) — Statutory bar association regulating lawyers in Costa Rica. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; verify any representative with the Colegio.

Republic of Panama

Órgano Judicial de Panamá (Órgano Judicial) — Oversees the legal profession in Panama. Panamanian law requires a licensed lawyer (abogado) to file residency applications; there is no separate immigration-adviser regulator.

Federal Republic of Nigeria

Nigeria Certified Immigration Agent (NCIA) — Official Nigeria Immigration Service certification and registry for immigration and visa agents — a rare government-run adviser register. Verify any agent against the NCIA registry.
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) — Regulates legal practitioners in Nigeria who may provide immigration representation.

Arab Republic of Egypt

Egyptian Bar Association (EBA) — Syndicate regulating lawyers in Egypt. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; verify any representative is a licensed lawyer.

Republic of Ghana

Ghana Bar Association (GBA) — Professional association of lawyers in Ghana. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; the Ghana Immigration Service administers permits directly.

Kingdom of Bahrain

Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Awqaf (Bahrain) (MOJ) — Supervises the legal profession in Bahrain. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; work permits are regulated by the LMRA and residence by NPRA.

Sultanate of Oman

Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs (Oman) (MJLA) — Oversees the legal profession in Oman. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; residence is administered by the Royal Oman Police.

Georgia

Georgian Bar Association (GBA) — Self-governing body of advocates in Georgia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; verify any representative is a licensed advocate.

Republic of Croatia

Croatian Bar Association (HOK) — Independent professional body regulating attorneys in Croatia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator.

Hungary

Hungarian Bar Association (MÜK) — National body of the Hungarian bar regulating attorneys. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing decides applications.

Republic of Serbia

Serbian Bar Association (AKS) — Professional association regulating attorneys in Serbia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator.

Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Citizenship by Investment Unit (Authorised Agents) (CIU) — The CIU licenses and supervises Authorised Agents; citizenship-by-investment applications must be filed through a government-licensed agent. There is no separate immigration-adviser regulator.

Antigua and Barbuda

Citizenship by Investment Unit (Authorised Agents) (CIU) — The CIU licenses and supervises Authorised Agents; citizenship-by-investment applications must be filed through a government-licensed agent. There is no separate immigration-adviser regulator.

Commonwealth of Dominica

Citizenship by Investment Unit (Authorised Agents) (CBIU) — The CBIU licenses and supervises Authorised Agents; citizenship-by-investment applications must be filed through a government-licensed agent. There is no separate immigration-adviser regulator.

Grenada

Investment Migration Agency (Authorised Agents) (IMA) — The IMA licenses and supervises Authorised Agents; citizenship-by-investment applications must be filed through a government-licensed agent. There is no separate immigration-adviser regulator.

Saint Lucia

Citizenship by Investment Unit (Authorised Agents) (CIU) — The CIU licenses and supervises Authorised Agents; citizenship-by-investment applications must be filed through a government-licensed agent. There is no separate immigration-adviser regulator.

Barbados

Barbados Bar Association (BBA) — Professional body of attorneys-at-law in Barbados. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.

Commonwealth of The Bahamas

The Bahamas Bar Association (Bahamas Bar) — Professional body of attorneys in The Bahamas. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.

Dominican Republic

Poder Judicial de la Republica Dominicana (Poder Judicial) — Oversees the legal profession in the Dominican Republic. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.

Cayman Islands (British Overseas Territory)

Cayman Islands Government (Legal Practitioners Act) (Cayman Islands Government) — WORC administers immigration; attorneys are regulated under the Legal Practitioners Act. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator.

People's Republic of China

National Immigration Administration (NIA) — There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; work permits are employer- and government-driven, and lawyers are regulated by the Ministry of Justice.

Republic of Bulgaria

Ministry of Justice (Bulgaria) (MoJ) — Supervises the legal profession in Bulgaria. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.

Romania

National Union of Romanian Bars (UNBR) — National body of the Romanian bar regulating attorneys. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) — National body of attorneys-at-law in Sri Lanka. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.

Republic of Ecuador

Consejo de la Judicatura (Ecuador) (Consejo de la Judicatura) — Oversees the legal profession in Ecuador. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.

Republic of Armenia

Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia (Chamber of Advocates) — Self-governing body of advocates in Armenia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.

Republic of Albania

Ministry of Justice (Albania) (MoJ) — Supervises the legal profession in Albania. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.

Republic of Paraguay

Corte Suprema de Justicia (Paraguay) (Corte Suprema) — Oversees the legal profession in Paraguay. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.

Kingdom of Morocco

Ministry of Justice (Morocco) (MoJ) — Oversees the legal profession and the bars in Morocco. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.

Republic of Rwanda

Rwanda Bar Association (RBA) — Professional body of advocates in Rwanda. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.

Republic of Botswana

Law Society of Botswana (LSB) — Statutory body regulating attorneys in Botswana. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.

Republic of Kazakhstan

Ministry of Justice (Kazakhstan) (MoJ) — Oversees advocacy and the legal profession in Kazakhstan. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; work permits are handled by the labour authorities.

Kingdom of Cambodia

Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC) — Professional body of lawyers in Cambodia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed lawyers.

Republic of Uzbekistan

Ministry of Justice (Uzbekistan) (MoJ) — Oversees the legal profession and the Chamber of Advocates in Uzbekistan. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator.

Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

Nepal Bar Council (NBC) — Statutory body regulating advocates in Nepal. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.

Montenegro

Bar Association of Montenegro (Advokatska komora) — Independent professional body regulating attorneys in Montenegro. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator.

Republic of Moldova

Union of Advocates of Moldova (UAM) — Professional body of advocates in Moldova. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.

Republic of Slovenia

Bar Association of Slovenia (OZS) — Independent professional body regulating attorneys in Slovenia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator.

Republic of Peru

Colegio de Abogados de Lima (CAL) — Bar association regulating lawyers in Lima, Peru. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed lawyers.

Republic of El Salvador

Corte Suprema de Justicia (El Salvador) (CSJ) — Oversees the legal profession in El Salvador. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed lawyers.

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Jordanian Bar Association (JBA) — Professional body of lawyers in Jordan. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed lawyers.

Republic of Fiji

Fiji Law Society (FLS) — Professional body of legal practitioners in Fiji. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator, and official sources warn against unregistered migration agents; use a licensed legal practitioner.

Jamaica

General Legal Council (Jamaica) (GLC) — Regulates attorneys-at-law in Jamaica. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; work permits are handled separately by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

United Republic of Tanzania

Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) — Professional body of advocates in Tanzania. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.

Republic of Azerbaijan

Ministry of Justice (Azerbaijan) (MoJ) — Oversees the legal profession and the bar in Azerbaijan. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) — Professional body of attorneys in Trinidad and Tobago. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.

Iceland

Icelandic Bar Association (LMFI) — Professional body of attorneys in Iceland. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.

Republic of Lithuania

Lithuanian Bar Association (LAT) — Professional body of advocates in Lithuania. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.

Belize

Belize Bar Association (BBA) — Professional body of attorneys in Belize. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.

Republic of Guatemala

Colegio de Abogados y Notarios de Guatemala (CANG) — Bar association regulating lawyers and notaries in Guatemala. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed lawyers and notaries.

Republic of Namibia

Law Society of Namibia (LSN) — Statutory body regulating legal practitioners in Namibia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed legal practitioners.

Republic of Latvia

Latvian Council of Sworn Advocates (LZAP) — Professional body of sworn advocates in Latvia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by sworn advocates.

Slovak Republic

Slovak Bar Association (SAK) — Professional body of advocates in Slovakia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.

Republic of Vanuatu

Vanuatu Law Society (VLS) — Professional body of legal practitioners in Vanuatu. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; citizenship-by-investment is administered by the separate Citizenship Commission.

Mongolia

Mongolian Bar Association (MBA) — Professional body of lawyers in Mongolia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed lawyers.

State of Kuwait

Kuwait Bar Association (KBA) — Professional body of lawyers in Kuwait. Residency is sponsor-tied and employer-handled; there is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator.

Brunei Darussalam

Attorney General Chambers (Brunei) (AGC) — Oversees the legal profession; advocates and solicitors are admitted by the Chief Justice. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; foreign-worker licensing sits with the Labour Department.

Principality of Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein Bar Association (LIRAK) — Professional body of attorneys in Liechtenstein. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; residence allocation is administratively driven (lottery and government quota).