How to become An Immigration Officer

If the best stories are to be found nestled within the pages of a passport, then Immigration Officers are skilled at reading between the lines. As the size and scope of international migration and globalisation have grown, and as terrorism and fraud have gained momentum in the past decades threatening global security, Immigration Officers play a crucial role in ensuring a country’s safety by regulating which travellers can enter it.

• Immigration Agent
• Immigration Control Officer

What do Immigration Officers do? 

An Immigration Officer would typically need to:

• Implement customs & immigration laws, regulations, procedures and policies; interpret and explain them to migrants & travellers to the country
• Observe travellers as they pass through the passport control area; examine their passports & visas on arrival and departure
• Determine at the port of entry the length of stay non-citizens are to be allowed 
• Issue entry permits & visas to those who fulfil eligibility requirements
• Detain passengers found ineligible for entry or violating immigration laws & customs; arrange to remove them to a holding area or another country 
• Respond to written and phone queries from migrants and other customers
• Read and check applications for residency or entry; interview applicants; record personal details and take fingerprints or other biometrics
• Accept or reject applications for entry or residence or the issue of a visa or passport; provide an explanation to applicants for their decisions
• Organise for the movement of people to a holding area or another country if their application is rejected
• Work on surveillance; conduct raids against illegal immigrants and smugglers
• Assess immigration risks; investigate cases where there is a breach of immigration law
• Gather statistics and write case reports

Immigration Officers typically work in an office-based environment. Their position may necessitate some relocation between airports and seaports to monitor the flow of products, freight, and passengers, and to make sure that illicit activities like smuggling, fraud, and immigration crime are recognised and addressed appropriately.

You may need to move on transfers or short-term postings periodically, sometimes even overseas to work in a consulate or embassy.

Immigration Officers work in shifts, 36 to 40 hours a week, including nights, weekends and holidays as the department must work around the clock.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Immigration Officers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies. 

Immigration Officers are generally employed by:

• Airports
• Seaports
• Consulates
• Embassies

Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Organisation for Migration (IMO), are crucial for Immigration Officers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Being stressed due to the continuous stream of passengers coming through
• Dealing with language barriers and cultural differences when communicating and interviewing passengers
• Getting used to the policies & instructions of the department in how to deal with passengers

Finding a summer or part-time position at transport hubs such as ports, rail stations, or airports would be beneficial. You could also work as a travel agent or baggage handler in retail or hospitality outlets.

Experience that relates to the duties of an Immigration Officer, such as border security, immigration, fraud investigation, and enforcing regulations & customs, is advantageous. You may acquire such experience by working as a support officer with immigration authorities, or in a role that requires interpretation of laws, or in government organisations and public sector enterprises, and in customer service experience.

While there are no prescribed requirements, a four-year bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, homeland security, or international law will give you a competitive edge in obtaining an entry-level position as an Immigration Officer. Typical modules include security and policing, intelligence analysis, criminal intelligence, criminological theory, data mining, emergency management, and security management. You could even choose to qualify in a foreign language or legal studies.

Aspiring Immigration Officers wanting to progress to senior positions would need a master’s degree in criminal justice. 

To be eligible to work in their government’s security departments, Immigration Officers must typically be nationals of the country and pass security clearance and medical checks.

Aspiring Immigration Officers must also undergo an assessment process that tests their decision-making, communication, conflict management skills, and understanding of equal opportunities.

Individual performance and departmental policies determine career advancement for Immigration Officers.

Immigration Officers may progress to Chief Immigration Officer or to other higher executive roles in the civil services. There is also potential to advance to management positions.

Immigration officers may also become Immigration Specialists who supervise and mentor other officers. They are chosen for their decision-making skills in granting visas and permits.

Relevant academic qualifications paired with the ability to interpret and apply immigration legislation & protocols will help you stand out in the job market. Fluency in several languages and geographic mobility along with sharp observational skills, judgment and decision-making will boost your job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Immigration Officer build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to continually upskill, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.

As a newly hired Immigration Officer, you must typically complete a structured training program followed by on-the-job training before discharging your duties. Training covers all essential aspects such as immigration law, professional conduct, interviewing and reporting.

You will begin by learning about immigration law, protocols, personal safety, appropriate professional conduct, skilful interviewing and reporting. After you have mastered the theory, you will begin implementing it in a controlled atmosphere and through full-time work, initially under supervision and later in operating regions. Periodic training takes place throughout the time that you work in this job.

Understanding and speaking several languages may help Immigration Officers connect more smoothly with immigrants from other cultures in diverse situations, such as allowing those filing visa or citizenship petitions to address fraud charges and refute or validate information supplied on applications.

Continuing education (CE) is a helpful way to stay up to date and hone your skills to ensure that you do everything you can to ensure a smooth immigration process.

Immigration Officers Working Overseas

Immigration Officer positions affiliated with an embassy may be an alternative for those who want to travel or live abroad. These people do much of the same work as someone who works in a domestic immigration office. They deal with the initial application of a potential immigrant to decide whether or not the applicant is a worthy prospect for immigration.

Law Enforcement 

Those working as Immigration Officers may also operate as law enforcement officers. They are in charge of border enforcement, sometimes on both land and sea. While patrolling an ocean border, Immigration Officers may collaborate with the country's coast guard. They are frequently on the lookout for cases of illegal immigration. This role is one of the most dangerous in immigration since it entails apprehending people who willingly break the law.

The number of migrants has grown by 40% since 2000

With their legal knowledge and the ability to apply it to diverse situations, which are reinforced by their observation, decision-making and communication skills, Immigration Officers remain at the frontlines of law enforcement. They protect their country from terrorism, smuggling, fraud, organised crime, human trafficking, and the illegal trade of narcotics.

As each application is unique, the work of Immigration Officers might be challenging at times. As a result, the capacity to comprehend and apply policies and procedures is critical. Be open to new learning and build effective and improved ways of working.