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- Play an important role in keeping the country safe and secure
- Requires a confident manner and the ability to stay calm in difficult situations
- Your shift patterns may include nights, weekends and public holidays
As an assistant immigration officer you'll normally work for the government and will be based at a UK airport or seaport, or at the Channel Tunnel. Your role will be making sure that people coming into the country have the relevant travel documents and permits.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Checking passports and work permits
- Interviewing people entering the UK
- Taking fingerprints
- Helping immigration officers with surveillance work
- Arranging to remove people who are not allowed to stay in the UK
- Issuing forms and carrying out clerical work
- Dealing with airlines and shipping companies
- Handling telephone enquiries
DAY-TO-DAY 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, and depending upon demand, it is possible that you may be asked to work anywhere in the UK where there is an entry point for travellers.
You'll need
You will need to be prepared to work anywhere in the UK where there is an entry point for travellers.
You'll need good attention to detail, a confident manner and the ability to stay calm in difficult situations for this role. You can apply directly to become an assistant immigration officer. Employers usually ask for some GCSEs, including English and maths.
You could do a college course which would teach you some of the skills needed for the role, and then apply for a trainee job. Relevant courses include Level 2 or 3 Diplomas in Public Services, or you could complete a public service operational delivery officer advanced apprenticeship.
When you apply, you'll normally complete an application form, describing your skills and life experience, take tests to examine your literacy and numeracy skills, take further selection tests, and complete an interview.
You'll also need to pass background and security checks, pass medical checks, be 18 or over, be a British citizen or British subject with no restrictions on your stay in the UK, and have a UK driving licence for some posts.
You may also find it useful to speak another language, although this isn't essential.
CAREER PROSPECTS
You could become an immigration officer or move to other posts in the Civil Service.