Assistant Immigration Officer

Job Description:

Assistant immigration officers check that people have the right to visit or stay in a particular country.

Job Category:
Government & Public Services

What you will do:

In this role you could:

  • check passports and work permits
  • interview people entering the country
  • take fingerprints
  • help immigration officers with surveillance work
  • arrange to remove people who are not allowed to stay in the country
  • issue forms and carry out clerical work
  • deal with airlines and shipping companies
  • handle enquiries

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • knowledge of English language
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As well as:

  • excellent verbal & written communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations (leadership skills)
  • customer service skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • the ability to work well with others (teamwork skills)
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail (organisational skills)
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

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

In the UK, for example, relevant courses include a Diploma in Public Services.

Apprenticeship

You could do a public service operational delivery officer advanced apprenticeship with the Civil Service.

This typically takes 12 to 18 months to complete as a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job study.

Direct Application

You could apply to join the Civil Service as an assistant immigration officer.

When you apply, you’ll:

  • describe your skills and life experience on an application form
  • complete tests of your literacy and numeracy skills
  • take further selection tests and have an interview

Career tips

Experience of working with the public will be helpful. You may also find it useful to speak a second language, although this is not essential.

Working Hours and Environment:

A typical week consists of 41-43 hours of work. You could be required to work evenings/weekends/bank holidays on shifts.

You could work at a border post, at an airport, in an office, at a port or at an outreach centre. You may need to wear a uniform.

Career Path & Progression:

You could become an immigration officer or move to other posts in the Civil Service.