Immigration officer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course in public services which would teach you some of the skills needed in this role. After you finish your course you could apply for a trainee immigration officer post.

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could start as a trainee immigration officer and do a Public Service Operational Delivery Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with the Civil Service.

With qualifications and experience, you could move on to immigration officer roles.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You could join the Civil Service as an assistant immigration officer . Once working, you could apply for a post as an immigration officer when vacancies become available.

DirectApplication

You could apply directly for immigration officer jobs with the Civil Service. The qualifications and experience you'll need will depend on the exact job you're applying for, but you'll find it useful to have:

• 2 A levels at grade C or above
• a degree for some jobs
• customer service skills
• the ability to speak another language

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be flexible and open to change
• knowledge of public safety and security
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of psychology
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace

What you'll do:

Immigration officers make decisions on whether people have the right to visit or stay in the UK.

As an immigration officer, you could:

• watch people and check documents and visas in passport control areas
• interview people to check they are entitled to stay
• arrange for people to go back to the country they came from
• organise places in holding centres, for example for people claiming asylum
• monitor people and gather information through surveillance work
• work on joint operations with police and Border Force officials
• visit and interview people who are suspected of not having the right to remain in the UK

Location : You could work at an airport, at a border post or at a port.
Environment : Your working environment may be emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.

Salary:

Starter : £28,000
Experienced : £34,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

41 - 43 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a senior immigration officer or manager in the Civil Service.