Uk Visa Advice On Thaivisa

[GU22]

I have just posted the following in Thaivisa : Do We Need To Feel Sorry For Talking ?, A few comments on the fee scheme:-

I can see a possible huge problem for those of us from the UK who offer advice in the visas and migration to other countries forum.

It is illegal for anyone to offer immigration advice in the UK unless they are registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner(OISC) or otherwise suitably qualified, i.e. a qualified lawyer, or exempt.

Posters on a forum such as this are exempt because it is regarded as a group of people exchanging views and there are no charges made. If new members are going to be charged it may well be that in the future anyone offering advice on UK immigration who is based in the UK and is not OISC registered or a member of the legal profession will be breaking the law.

What would happen if someone who had paid a subscription and was unhappy with the advice they received here reported it to the OISC? Could the persons who offered the advice be prosecuted?

I don't know, and until I do know I'm afraid that I wont be offering any more visa advice.

Apologies to those who may have found my advice useful in the past; if any.

[the scouser]

Whereas I take GU22's point, I don't think it's an infringement of UK law to give immigration advice on Thai Visa, as it's hosted outside of the UK. However, if the owners of Thai Visa wish to start charging for their services, then perhaps we should start charging for ours.

Scouse.

[the scouser]

Also, in a previous incarnation, I was a union activist, and I wouldn't bat an eyelid at utilising the full force of the applicable law for the benefit of the majority.

Scouse.

[dantilley]

Whereas I take GU22's point, I don't think it's an infringement of UK law to give immigration advice on Thai Visa, as it's hosted outside of the UK. However, if the owners of Thai Visa wish to start charging for their services, then perhaps we should start charging for ours.

Scouse.

It makes no difference at all that the site isn't hosted in the UK. If GU22 is correct about this law, anyone offering this advice from the UK on a paid-for site will be breaking the law whether the site is in the UK, Thailand or Timbuktoo.

[the scouser]

It makes no difference at all that the site isn't hosted in the UK. If GU22 is correct about this law, anyone offering this advice from the UK on a paid-for site will be breaking the law whether the site is in the UK, Thailand or Timbuktoo.

That's not the legal advice which I've previously been given, but, hey, are we arguing about who's got the most expensive lawyer?

Scouse.

[GU22]

That's part of the problem; ask 6 different lawyers and you'll get 6 different answers!

I do know that the owners of another website did check with the OISC and were told that registration was unnecessary as long as no charge was being made for any advice offered on their site. The site in question is UK based, but hosted in the US.

if the owners of Thai Visa wish to start charging for their services, then perhaps we should start charging for ours.

An excellent point. Unfortunately, Scouse, you're the only one of us who can legally do so!

[the scouser]

Unfortunately, Scouse, you're the only one of us who can legally do so!

There is method in my madness .