Welcome the Border Force Application Process Overview
The sections below will give you a full overview of the application process for each of the roles we have on offer.
If you have applied for Border Force roles or other Home Office positions in the past you will notice some changes to the usual recruitment process to make it easier and quicker for candidates to apply for our roles.
Please see the below roles that we currently have available within Border Force:
Border Force Officer
No matter which of the Border Force Officer roles you apply for the application process will be the same:
Read each of the sections below to understand a little more about each element of the process.
Please note, we ensure that the right kind of adjustment is applied where it is necessary to provide a fairer reflection of your qualities. If you do require a reasonable adjustment, you must discuss this with us before you start the assessments. You can do that by following the instructions in your invitation email or by contacting us at the earliest opportunity.
Application form
You will complete a two-part application form. The progress of your application will be highlighted to you as you complete the relevant sections.
Once you have submitted the application you will receive a confirmation email and an invite to undertake a Behavioural Based Assessment.
Behavioural Based Assessment
The test will consist of a series of Game Based Assessments that look at your natural work-relevant behaviour in action. As an example, you may be asked to quickly sort tickets according to the number or shape displayed. This assessment will evaluate your potential fit against the most crucial behaviours required to be a successful Border Force Officer.
This assessment can be completed on a smartphone, tablet, or a laptop/desktop computer, and you will need to set aside 45 minutes to complete the assessment.
For some guidance on how to prepare for the BBA and a bit more on what to expect, please visit Support For Candidates | Arctic Shores.
If you apply for multiple vacancies, you will only need to take the assessment once as the result will be shared across all applications. Please also note your Behavioural Based Assessment scores are “banked” for 6 months.
Written Test
The written test is an exercise designed to see how you communicate with others in writing. You do not need any knowledge or experience specific to the Border Force Officer Role to be able to complete the exercise, nor do you need any specific knowledge or experience relating to the scenario presented.
The test on average will take you 50 minutes (made up of 20-25 minutes reading time and 20-25 minutes to provide your test answer) and you should be able to complete in one sitting and this must be your own work.
All applications are screened for plagiarism and copying of examples/answers from internet sources. If any is detected the application will be withdrawn from the process.
Once you submit your answer at the end of the test you will not be able to change or update your response.
Online Assessment Centre
The Online Assessment Centre (OAC) for Border Force Officer will consist of a Live Interview.
Interview
The interview will be strength-based. Strength based questions seek to find out what people enjoy and when they are at their best. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions. It is important that you answer the questions as openly and honestly as you can, thinking about the kind of work you enjoy doing and the relevant Border Force role you are applying for.
Please take your time to read and understand the Civil Service Strengths. This will provide you with an overview of the strengths and give you a greater understanding about what we are looking for in the job.
Interviews will be conducted using a video platform. To check your technology please use the Online Assessment Centre Guidance Document that will be emailed to you if you reach the OAC stage.
Reserve Lists
If you are successful but there are not enough vacancies at your preferred location to offer a role, you will remain on a reserve list for up to 12 months.
Where multiple locations are available within a single advert, reserve lists will be held for each location and candidates will be appointed in merit order by location.
Please only list a location where you are prepared to work and can travel to. If you are offered a role at this location and decline, you will be removed from the reserve list.
Whilst on a reserve list we may offer you an alternative similar role in the Home Office or a role at location you have not selected. Should you reject an alternative role, you will remain on the reserve list for the role/location you applied for. If you accept an alternative role, you will be withdrawn from the reserve list.
Please note there are no guarantees that further vacancies will arise in the location you originally applied for before your time on the reserve list expires.
Provisional Offer
Provisional offers of employment will be made via email. Sometimes emails can go into junk mail so please check regularly and keep an eye on your Application Centre for updates.
Offers need to be accepted within 5 calendar days, details of what happens next will be on the correspondence. If you do not accept the provisional offer within 5 calendar days, your offer may be withdrawn.
Please refer to FAQ or chatbot if you have any queries relating to your offer. Contact information is also available on the advert.
Vetting Guidance
When an offer of employment is made to you there are some additional requirements that must be completed before you can start. These are known as pre-employment or vetting checks and you must satisfy the requirement to prove your identity, where you live and your right to work in the UK. If you successfully pass this first stage, further checks are undertaken against criminal records, your health and employment history.
We will ask you to provide an ID document, proof of address and right to work in the UK. A list of acceptable ID documents will be disclosed in the advert. You can also use our ID document checker.
Please ensure that you provide the documentation requested within 48 hours of receiving the request since we are unable to proceed without them and your offer might be withdrawn. If you anticipate any problems in supplying this documentation please do not hesitate to the Recruitment Team on 0345 528 0427 or email HO-Recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
Interview Schemes
We invite candidates who identify as having a Disability under the Equality Act 2010 to apply. We will endeavour to provide the necessarily adjustments to enable you to perform at your best during the selection process. We offer a similar scheme for Veterans, in line with the initiative, ‘A Great Place to Work for Veterans’, and for civil servants at risk of redundancy. If you wish to apply for consideration under these schemes, please complete the appropriate section on the online application form so that we can make any necessary arrangements.
Border Force Apprentice
Read each of the sections below to understand a little more about each element of the process.
Please note, we ensure that the right kind of adjustment is applied where it is necessary to provide a fairer reflection of your qualities. If you do require a reasonable adjustment, you must discuss this with us before you start the assessments. You can do that by following the instructions in your invitation email or by contacting us at the earliest opportunity.
Application form
You will complete a two-part application form. The progress of your application will be highlighted to you as you complete the relevant sections.
Once you have submitted the application you will receive a confirmation email and an invite to undertake a Behavioural Based Assessment.
Behavioural Based Assessment
The test will consist of a series of Game Based Assessments that look at your natural work-relevant behaviour in action. As an example, you may be asked to quickly sort tickets according to the number or shape displayed. This assessment will evaluate your potential fit against the most crucial behaviours required to be a successful Border Force Officer.
This assessment can be completed on a smartphone, tablet, or a laptop/desktop computer, and you will need to set aside 45 minutes to complete the assessment.
For some guidance on how to prepare for the BBA and a bit more on what to expect, please visit Support For Candidates | Arctic Shores.
If you apply for multiple vacancies, you will only need to take the assessment once as the result will be shared across all applications. Please also note your Behavioural Based Assessment scores are “banked” for 6 months.
Pre-Recorded Video Interview
Video Interview involves you using a computer or mobile device to record yourself answering a set of questions that are presented to you on the screen of your device.
The questions will be strength-based. Strength based questions seek to find out what people enjoy and when they are at their best. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions. It is important that you answer the questions as openly and honestly as you can, thinking about the kind of work you enjoy doing and the Border Force Apprentice role you are applying for.
Please take your time to read and understand the Civil Service Strengths. This will provide you with an overview of the strengths and give you a greater understanding about what we are looking for in the job.
Reserve Lists
If you are successful but there are not enough vacancies at your preferred location to offer a role, you will remain on a reserve list for up to 12 months.
Where multiple locations are available within a single advert, reserve lists will be held for each location and candidates will be appointed in merit order by location.
Please only list a location where you are prepared to work and can travel to. If you are offered a role at this location and decline, you will be removed from the reserve list.
Whilst on a reserve list we may offer you an alternative similar role in the Home Office or a role at location you have not selected. Should you reject an alternative role, you will remain on the reserve list for the role/location you applied for. If you accept an alternative role, you will be withdrawn from the reserve list.
Please note there are no guarantees that further vacancies will arise in the location you originally applied for before your time on the reserve list expires.
Provisional Offer
Provisional offers of employment will be made via email. Sometimes emails can go into junk mail so please check regularly and keep an eye on your Application Centre for updates.
Offers need to be accepted within 5 calendar days, details of what happens next will be on the correspondence. If you do not accept the provisional offer within 5 calendar days, your offer may be withdrawn.
Please refer to FAQ or chatbot if you have any queries relating to your offer. Contact information is also available on the advert.
Vetting Guidance
When an offer of employment is made to you there are some additional requirements that must be completed before you can start. These are known as pre-employment or vetting checks and you must satisfy the requirement to prove your identity, where you live and your right to work in the UK. If you successfully pass this first stage, further checks are undertaken against criminal records, your health and employment history.
We will ask you to provide an ID document, proof of address and right to work in the UK. A list of acceptable ID documents will be disclosed in the advert. You can also use our ID document checker.
Please ensure that you provide the documentation requested within 48 hours of receiving the request since we are unable to proceed without them and your offer might be withdrawn. If you anticipate any problems in supplying this documentation please do not hesitate to the Recruitment Team on 0345 528 0427 or email HO-Recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
Interview Schemes
We invite candidates who identify as having a Disability under the Equality Act 2010 to apply. We will endeavour to provide the necessarily adjustments to enable you to perform at your best during the selection process. We offer a similar scheme for Veterans, in line with the initiative, ‘A Great Place to Work for Veterans’, and for civil servants at risk of redundancy. If you wish to apply for consideration under these schemes, please complete the appropriate section on the online application form so that we can make any necessary arrangements.
