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Assistant immigration officer

Alternative titles for this job include Assistant immigration enforcement officer

Assistant immigration officers check that people have the right to visit or stay in the UK.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£29,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

41 to 43 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Assistant immigration officer

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

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

Apprenticeship

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

Direct Application

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

More Information

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:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

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:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

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

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an Assistant immigration officer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Public Services First Certificate

  • Provider: BEXHILL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Bexhill on Sea

Public Services Diploma level 2

  • Provider: ISLE OF WIGHT COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Newport
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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