Immigration Officer

Introduction

The UK Border Agency which is a part of the Civil Service, employs immigration officers. They work at sea ports and airports throughout the UK, making sure that passengers are eligible to enter the country under immigration rules. To do this, they check documents like passports and work permits. Sometimes an officer will decide to interview a passenger.

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Work Activities

Immigration officers (IOs) work at sea ports and airports around the country and the Channel Tunnel. They deal with the arrival of passengers who want to enter the United Kingdom, checking that the passengers qualify to enter the country under current immigration rules.

They inspect passengers' documents, for example, passports, work permits and entry clearance certificates, making sure they are valid. Most passengers have the correct documentation and are able to pass through immigration control quickly.

Sometimes, however, an immigration officer will interview a person in more detail. They may decide to conduct an interview because they have identified a passenger as seeking employment without a work permit, or because they suspect that the passenger may have a false passport. They may check contact details including employers, family or sponsors.

If a person is not qualified to stay in the United Kingdom, the IO consults with a senior officer before giving the passenger written notice of the decision. They must then make arrangements for the passenger's departure.

Immigration officers may also go out in teams to interview people who are suspected of working illegally or being in the UK without permission.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

The work requires intelligence and practical common sense, as well as sensitivity. You must have an enquiring mind, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to make quick, sensible decisions based on brief interviews. You need to be tactful and have a calm, patient manner, because you could be dealing with distressed or frightened people. You need to be able to work under pressure.

Knowledge of, or the aptitude to learn foreign languages is desirable.

You should have good written communication skills in order to write effective reports. You need IT skills for keeping records and writing reports. A good knowledge of current affairs is helpful, especially of events and legislation that may affect immigration policy.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries vary depending on roles and responsibilities.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Salaries for immigration officers start around £20,00 a year. Higher salaries are possible depending on performance. Graduate and Fast Stream entrant salaries start from around £20,500 a year, rising to around £39,000 after four years.

Immigration officers are required to work shifts, evenings and weekends depending on their duties. Part-time work is available, working full shifts over a reduced number of days each week.

Immigration officers work for the UK Border Agency, which has around 17,200 staff in the United Kingdom (including agency, casual and consultants) of which 500 are at any one time on secondment to British diplomatic posts or in other jobs overseas.

The Agency has large offices in Croydon, Liverpool and Sheffield and smaller ones around the country. Several thousand staff work as immigration officers at air and sea ports nationwide ranging from Heathrow, Gatwick and Dover to other smaller locations throughout the country.

Competition for all posts is fierce.

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Adult Opportunities

Age limits apply to this occupation. The minimum age for entry to assistant immigration officer and immigration officer posts is 18.

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