Canada Moderate

Border services, customs, and immigration officers

Border services, customs, and immigration officers administer and enforce laws and regulations related to immigration, customs and border crossing. They are employed by government agencies.

Employment Outlooks

Economic Region Outlooks

Select your region(s)

Choose up to 3 regions to see employment outlooks. This occupation has data for 72 economic regions.

Salary Information

National wage data for this occupation

Entry-level

CA$24.62

/hr

Typical

CA$40.10

/hr

Experienced

CA$54.34

/hr

Average: CA$39.98/hr

89.6% of workers in this occupation receive non-wage benefits

Source: Job Bank Canada. Wages may vary by region and experience.

Examples

Illustrative Examples

border services officer (BSO)
customs inspector
customs officer
immigration agent - government services
immigration examining officer

All Examples

adjudication officer - immigration
border services officer (BSO)
border services student officer
border services trainee officer
case review officer - immigration
citizenship registration examiner
claims processing officer - immigration
customs appraiser
customs baggage inspector
customs collector
customs examiner
customs inspection supervisor
customs inspector
customs inspectors supervisor
customs investigator
customs officer
Immigration Act enforcement officer
immigration agent - government services
immigration appeal officer
immigration examiner
immigration examining officer
immigration inspector
immigration officer - government services
immigration officers supervisor

Main Duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Border services and customs officers
Conduct interviews, using inspections and information-seeking techniques, at border points as part of primary and secondary inspections for immigration, food, plant and animals, and customs program functions
Inspect baggage to detect undeclared merchandise, or contraband
Inform manufacturers and shippers of customs and laws and procedures
Observe fabrication of articles affected by customs laws and conduct appraisals
Board carriers arriving from foreign countries to determine nature of cargo to ensure compliance with customs and commerce laws
Inspect goods imported by mail
Apply applicable legislation, policies, and procedure when screening and/or inspecting people and goods
May conduct an arrest, detention, or conduct personal search of individuals suspected of having committed a criminal offence under the Customs Act or certain other designated Criminal Code offences until police intervention is possible
Operate firearms and use defensive tactics and physical force when necessary in the performance of duties.
Immigration officers
Determine admissibility of persons seeking entry into Canada by examining documents and conducting interviews
Grant landed-immigrant status, admit persons or order detention or deportation
Locate and apprehend persons presumed to be infringing on immigration laws
Assist in the removal of deported people by seeking authorization from receiving countries and securing necessary travel documents
Appear as a witness in cases related to immigration appeals.

Requirements

Employment Requirements

Completion of secondary school is required.
A four-week online training and a four-and-half-month specialized training at the CBSA College are required for border services officers.
Successful pass of the officer trainee entrance exam (OTEE), successful completion of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CGSC) and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) is required for border services officers.
Must pass psychological assessment, physical abilities requirement evaluation (PARE) and medical exam to be a border services officer.
Border services student officers must complete Control and Defensive Tactics (CDT) training
Completion of specialized government training is usually required.
A driver's license is required.