Assistant Immigration Officer
Job Description:Assistant immigration officers check that people have the right to visit or stay in a particular country.
Job Category: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)
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.