We’re recruiting Administrative Officers to join our Immigration and Citizenship Service.
You’ll be part of the work that helps us manage the UK’s immigration and identity systems. Whether you’re making a decision for a customer, preparing an important case file, answering a query or conducting a face-to-face identity interview, you’ll help deliver services people rely on.
This is a varied role suited to someone who communicates confidently, works well with others and stays organised when priorities change.
If you also enjoy solving problems, this could be an opportunity to put those skills to use where they matter.
The majority of roles on offer are similar and the role you’re offered will depend on business needs at the time you join, so you won’t be able to choose between individual roles.
Salary: £30,920 in Cardiff, Durham, Leeds, Newport and Peterborough, or £34,920 in Feltham
Grade: Administrative Officer
Closing date: 9th November 2026
About the role
Our Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) manages the UK’s immigration and identity systems, including visas, citizenship, resettlement and British passports. It also maintains civil records, including births, marriages and deaths.
As an Administrative Officer, you’ll help us deliver these services accurately and efficiently.
The work is varied. You could be making decisions for customers, managing correspondence, preparing case files, updating records, answering calls or booking appointments. You could also escort customers, conduct face-to-face identity interviews and facilitate language analysis interviews.
You’ll need to be flexible and adaptable, with the ability to organise and plan your work effectively. You’ll deal with members of the public, colleagues, and internal and external stakeholders, so professionalism, honesty and good communication will be central to your role.
You’ll also need to meet the high standards of conduct and behaviour expected of a civil servant.
Reserve list
Candidates who meet the required criteria may be placed on a reserve list for up to 12 months. Appointments may be made in merit order by location as opportunities arise. Being placed on a reserve list does not guarantee a job offer.
Meet the team
Want to learn more about the role and how to apply? Join one of our free online information events.
Wednesday 28th October, 18:00 – 19:00
Thursday 5th November, 13:00 – 14:00
Here, you’ll gain a better understanding of the role and hear tips to support your application.
Qualifications and Training
There are no mandatory qualifications required for this role. We’re interested in the skills and experience you can bring. You’ll find the requirements you need to demonstrate under Essential criteria below.
You’ll receive full training and support to do the job.
If part-time hours are agreed, you may be expected to attend the office full-time while completing your training.
Working Arrangements
This is a permanent role and is available on a full-time basis. We also encourage applications from people who want to work part-time. Part-time opportunities can’t be guaranteed and will depend on the requirements of the role and the business.
If you want to work part-time, you should let the vacancy holder know once you receive a provisional offer so they can explore whether this can be accommodated at your selected location.
Where part-time opportunities can’t be accommodated, the offer will be withdrawn, and you’ll be placed back on the reserve list.
Office attendance requirements vary depending on the role. Some roles may offer a combination of office and home-based working, with a minimum of 60% of working time spent in an office. Other roles require 100% office attendance.
Benefits
Alongside your salary, you’ll have access to a range of Home Office and Civil Service benefits, including:
- A Civil Service pension with a 28.97% employer contribution
- 25 days’ annual leave when you join, rising with service to 30 days
- Eight public holidays, plus one additional privilege day
- An in-year reward scheme recognising one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements
- Access to learning, development and career progression opportunities
- A culture that encourages inclusion and diversity
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- Cardiff
- Durham
- Feltham
- Leeds
- Newport (Gwent)
- Peterborough
You can choose up to three locations in order of preference. Only choose locations you’re prepared to travel to. If you’re offered a role at one of your preferred locations and decline it, your application will be withdrawn.
The salary is £30,920 for Cardiff, Durham, Newport, Leeds and Peterborough, and £34,920 for Feltham.
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- Make well-informed decisions for our customers
- Undertake administrative tasks including file movement and tracking, logging correspondence, monitoring electronic inboxes, issuing letters and dealing with customer queries
- Scan and digitise customer supporting evidence and update relevant databases and files
- Make sure case files are decision-ready for casework, appeals or removal processes
- Handle telephone calls and book appointments
- Escort customers, conduct face-to-face identity interviews and facilitate language analysis interviews
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication and relationship-building skills, and work effectively as part of a team
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- Excellent written communication skills
- Confident verbal communication skills
- Evidence of using IT and digital systems
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We’ll use the Civil Service Success Profiles approach and assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.
The selection process consists of four stages.
Stage 1: Eligibility
- Personal information to confirm eligibility
Stage 2: Application
You will be asked to complete:
- Personal Statement (maximum 250 words).
- Desirable Criteria Statement (if applicable) (maximum 250 words)
The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.
Stage 3: Sift
The sift will be assessed against your personal statement.
Stage 4: Interview
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviours and Strength based questions.
The interview will be via a pre-recorded interview using VidCruiter (virtual interview).
Please note:- A full explanation of how the VidCruiter interview will be provided to you.
- You will be required to have access to a laptop (personal) with a working webcam and good Internet access
- You will be required to show and upload photo identification (e.g. current passport/driving licence) at the end of your virtual interview recording, so please have this ready
You will receive a link to complete a video interview and we will be asking you to video record your responses to pre-recorded questions.
You will have 7 days to complete your interview once you receive the invite. If you fail to submit a recording your application will be withdrawn.
For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.
You’ll receive a link and have five days to record and submit your responses.
At interview, you’ll be assessed against the following behaviours:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
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Ready to make your skills matter more?
If you’re a confident communicator who can work effectively with people, use digital systems and deliver a high-quality service, apply to join us as an Administrative Officer.
Watch the following videos to help with your application.
How to apply: Success Profiles
How to apply: How to write a CV
How to Apply: Personal Statements
