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Citizenship and Immigration Officer

Citizenship and immigration officers examine applications for immigration, citizenship and visas and interview people to determine their eligibility for admission, residence or travel in Canada.

Also Known As

Immigration Officer

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 1228.1: Immigration Officers

2006 NOC-S

  • B318: Immigration, Employment Insurance and Revenue Officers

2011 NOC

  • 1228: Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers

2016 NOC

  • 1228: Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers

2021 NOC

  • 43203: Border services, customs, and immigration officers

2023 OaSIS

  • 43203.02: Immigration officers
Duties
Updated Mar 02, 2021

There are three types of citizenship and immigration officers and duties vary accordingly.

Admissions Officers interpret and apply the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) to:

  • Counsel people who wish to remain in Canada
  • Make decisions regarding immigration applications for permanent residence, visitor extensions, study or work permits
  • Interpret laws and explain decisions to people seeking admission or entry to Canada
  • Determine re-eligibility for people claiming refugee status
  • Defend their decisions at immigration appeals or in federal court

 Citizenship Officers interpret the provisions of the Citizenship Act to:

  • Examine and process citizenship application documents
  • Conduct citizenship testing and assess test results
  • Conduct citizenship ceremonies

Settlement Officers manage contribution agreements with agencies that provide settlement services and language training to refugees and newcomers to Canada.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 02, 2021
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Citizenship and immigration officers usually work standard week day office hours. Some travel and occasional overtime may be required.

Most of the people that immigration officers interview are friendly and honest but officers occasionally have to deal with individuals who are hostile or engaged in criminal activities.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Immigration Officers

2006 NOC: 1228.1

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
METHODICAL

Interest in analyzing information to determine admissibility; and in locating and apprehending persons presumed to be infringing on immigration laws and in securing necessary travel documents for deported people

DIRECTIVE

Interest in granting landed-immigrant status, in admitting persons and in ordering detentions and deportations

SOCIAL

Interest in speaking as witnesses appearing in cases related to immigration appeals

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 02, 2021

Immigration officers need:

  • Common sense and good judgement
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Communication skills including interviewing, public speaking and writing skills
  • Organization and time management skills
  • Analytical and investigative skills

They also must be:

  • Honest
  • Objective and fair
  • Cooperative, flexible and patient
  • Attentive to details

They should enjoy analyzing information and having clear rules for their work, making decisions and working with people.

Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 02, 2021
  • Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary

Post-secondary education, a second language and experience in dealing with people are definite assets.

Newly hired citizenship and immigration officers must complete an in-house training program. After the initial training period, further training in operational and organizational skills is provided on an ongoing basis.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 02, 2021
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 02, 2021

Citizenship and immigration officers are employed by the federal government. Position openings are advertised through the Public Service Commission of Canada.

Experienced citizenship and immigration officers may relocate to other locations to take advantage of career opportunities. Promotion is on a competitive basis and therefore depends on the individual's initiative, interest, competence, employment record and current knowledge of relevant laws and regulations.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers
2016 NOC: 1228

96.6% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Border services, customs, and immigration officers
2021 NOC: 43203
Lower
Demand
< 1500
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers
2016 NOC: 1228
1.8%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
81
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 02, 2021

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers

2016 NOC: 1228
Average Wage
$32.45
Per Hour
Average Salary
$62,483.00
Per Year
Average Hours
37.1
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 1228 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $28.14 $33.65 $30.19 $28.54
Overall $29.31 $40.04 $32.45 $31.04
Top $31.48 $41.29 $33.70 $31.93

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
53%
53%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
N/A
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
5%
5%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Social, Community and Protective Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 02, 2021

Citizenship and Immigration Canada website: cic.gc.ca

Public Service Commission of Canada website: psc-cfp.gc.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 02, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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