Assistant immigration officer
Assistant immigration officers check that people have the right to visit or stay in the UK.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As an assistant immigration officer you could:
- check passports, work permits and take fingerprints
- interview people entering the UK
- help immigration officers with surveillance work
- arrange to remove people who are not allowed to stay in the UK
- issue forms and carry out clerical work
- handle enquiries
Working environment
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 and progression
You could become an immigration officer or move to other posts in the Civil Service.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- excellent verbal communication skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- customer service skills
- knowledge of English language
- thinking and reasoning skills
- excellent written communication skills
- the ability to work well with others
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- be a UK citizen
- pass enhanced background checks
- pass security checks
- pass a medical check
- have a full driving licence
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
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 assistant immigration officer post.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
More Information
You could do a Public Service Operational Delivery Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with the Civil Service.
This usually takes between a year and a year and a half to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
You could apply to join the Civil Service as an assistant immigration officer. You'll usually need at least 5 GCSEs, including English and maths.
When you apply, you'll need to:
- 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.
Further information
You can find out more about how to become an assistant immigration officer from:
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.