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Home Office Border Force officer interview guide

How the Home Office recruits Border Force officers: the Suitability Assessment, a written test, a strength-based live video interview and vetting.

Updated 9 October 202610 sources9 min read
Suitability Assessment3 question typesPersonality, analytical, applied decision making
Written test50 min on averageReading time, then your written answer
InterviewLive, by videoStrength-based, at the Online Assessment Centre
Security clearanceSC levelRequired for all Border Force roles
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About Border Force

Border Force calls itself "a law enforcement command within the Home Office". It secures the UK border "by carrying out immigration and customs controls for people and goods entering the UK."1 Phil Douglas CB is listed as its Director General.1

The Home Office Jobs Border Force page says "Around 10,000 people work for Border Force", mostly in frontline roles at airports and seaports. Officers use "intelligence led checks to prevent those that would cause harm from entering the UK".2

The interview process

As the Home Office Jobs Border Force application process page describes it. The Border Force Assistant Officer route follows the same order.3

  1. Application form2 sections

    "The first section can be completed in 5 minutes and the second usually takes around 15 minutes." The page lists interview schemes for disabled candidates, veterans and civil servants at risk of redundancy, which you apply for through this online form.3

  2. Border Force Suitability AssessmentOnline test

    An online test that "will assess a range of skills relevant to the role of a Border Force Officer". You are asked to "complete the online test as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended)." It has three types of question:3

    • Personality. "Personality questions to better understand what motivates and is important to you".3
    • Analytical. "Analytical questions to assess how you reach decisions from evidence such as datasets".3
    • Applied decision making. "Applied decision making within a theoretical situation to understand your interpersonal and critical thinking style."3
    • Banked score. Your score "will be banked for 6 months and can be used for any Border Force vacancy within this duration of time". If you apply for several vacancies advertised at the same time, you sit it once, but "each vacancy has an individual pass mark".3
  3. Full application form

    "If you successfully pass the suitability assessment, you will be invited to complete the full application form." Miss the deadline for the online test or the full application and "your application will be withdrawn."3

  4. Written test50 min on average

    "The written test is an exercise designed to see how you communicate with others in writing." It "on average will take you 50 minutes", "made up of 20-25 minutes reading time and 20-25 minutes to provide your test answer". Complete it in one sitting, and it must be your own work.3

  5. Online Assessment CentreLive interview

    "The Online Assessment Centre (OAC) for Border Force Officer will consist of a Live Interview." "Interviews will be conducted using a video platform", and you are told to "download Zoom and test that your video camera works." "The interview will be strength-based".3

    • Equipment. Use a laptop computer with a camera, not a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook.3
    • Connection. You need "a minimum download speed of 10Mbps and a minimum upload speed of 5Mbps".3
  6. Reserve listUp to 12 months

    If you are successful but there are not enough vacancies at your preferred location, you "will remain on a reserve list for up to 12 months". The page says a vacancy is not guaranteed.3

  7. Provisional offer5 calendar days

    The offer comes by email. "If you do not accept the provisional offer within 5 calendar days, your offer may be withdrawn."3

  8. Vetting

    First you prove your identity, where you live and your right to work in the UK, with documents sent "within 48 hours of receiving the request". Then "further checks are undertaken against criminal records, your health and employment history."3 The Home Office Jobs FAQ says "All Border Force roles require SC level of security clearance" and "An additional security check is completed for all Border Force roles."4

The Home Office Jobs FAQ covers Home Office hiring in general, not only Border Force. It says "There is no set time on the process", but because of pre-employment and security checks "it can take up to 6 months to receive a start date". It also says: "If you have been unsuccessful at interview, written feedback will be provided alongside your interview scores."4

Fitness, training and pay

Frontline Border Force Officer roles include Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST), which "requires physical activity and physical contact with the other delegates". "You will be required to complete a health declaration in advance and, if necessary, attend a medical examination." "A formal job offer cannot be made if you do not have the level of physical fitness needed to undertake and pass the training." PPST is refreshed annually.5

International Trade roles have three PPST levels. Level 1 is online e-learning, Level 2 covers defensive and de-escalation techniques, and Level 3 adds restraint and arrest techniques. Each job advert states which level applies.5

Initial training is full time, and its length depends on the role you have applied for. It runs at a training hub in Bedfont Lakes, Croydon, Folkestone, Liverpool or Manchester, or local to your home port.5 "Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts (from 0500 hours)", "late night finishes, and overnight shifts."5

The roles overview page shows no date. When retrieved in October 2026, it said of its Alternative Shift Working and International Trade Border Force Officer roles: "Those new to the Civil Service will have a starting salary of £28,000 for these roles". For Alternative Shift Working roles it adds "(£29,000 for Gatwick, £32,000 for London)", pro-rata. Border Force Assistant Officer roles start at £24,800.5

Alternative Shift Working roles carry an Annualised Hours Allowance that varies by location and shift pattern and is subject to change, and no allowance is paid during initial training. The page says these roles are part-time, and "you should not expect to be made full-time once in post."5

Who can apply

  • Residence. The Home Office Jobs FAQ, which covers Home Office hiring in general, says you should normally have been resident in the UK for at least 5 years for SC clearance.4
  • Visas. The same FAQ says the Home Office is "unable to sponsor any individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas".4
  • Driving. A full UK driving licence is essential for Border Force Officer roles at some locations, such as Manston, Gatwick, Felixstowe, Harwich, Portsmouth, Southampton and Stansted, and desirable at others. "You will be required to provide evidence of your driving licence during the recruitment process."5
  • Other requirements. The National Careers Service says Border Force officers need to "be over 18 years of age", "be a UK citizen", "pass enhanced background checks" and "have a good level of fitness".8

Strengths and Success Profiles

The Border Force application process page says the live interview is strength-based and "There are no right or wrong answers to these questions." It asks you to read the Civil Service Strengths, but it doesn't name which ones are assessed.3

Success Profiles are Civil Service-wide guidance, not Border Force's own. "The Civil Service recruits using Success Profiles", which have five elements: behaviours, strengths, ability, experience and technical. Strengths are "the things we do regularly, do well and that motivate us".6

The Civil Service strengths guidance gives definitions such as these. Border Force doesn't say which strengths it assesses.7

  • Resilient. "You have inner composure, recover quickly from setbacks and learn from them".7
  • Problem solver. "You take a positive approach to tackling problems. You find ways to identify suitable solutions".7
  • Adaptable. "You can adapt to variations in work or environment. Your effectiveness is not affected by change."7

Questions to expect

Based on what the Home Office says each stage tests. These are our own practice questions, not ones the Home Office publishes.

Strength-based live interview

When a task goes wrong halfway through, what is your first reaction? (Resilient)

Think of a problem you noticed before anyone else did. What did you do next? (Problem solver)

How does your work change when your day is reorganised with little notice? (Adaptable)

Which moments in a working day leave you feeling you did something well?

What appeals to you about checking people and goods entering the UK?

How do you feel about early starts, late finishes and overnight shifts?

How to prepare

  1. Book time for the Suitability Assessment straight away. The page recommends completing it within 24-48 hours, and a missed deadline means your application is withdrawn.3
  2. Warm up on data questions. The analytical part looks at how you reach decisions from evidence such as datasets.3
  3. Practise clear written replies. The written test checks how you communicate with others in writing, with 20-25 minutes reading time and 20-25 minutes to write your answer.3
  4. Set up your laptop early. Download Zoom, test your camera and check your connection meets the 10Mbps download and 5Mbps upload minimums. Phones, tablets and Chromebooks aren't allowed.3
  5. Get to know the strengths, but don't script answers. Civil Service-wide guidance says "Do not rehearse your answers - because we are looking for your initial response."7 Instead, think about what you genuinely do well and enjoy, so you can answer honestly on the day.
  6. Prepare for PPST. It involves physical activity and physical contact, and a formal job offer can't be made without the fitness needed to pass it.5
  7. Have your documents ready. Vetting asks for proof of identity, address and right to work within 48 hours of the request.3
  8. Join an online session. The Border Force recruitment pages offer "1-hour online sessions that provide you with the chance to speak to members of the recruitment team".5

Worth mentioning in the interview

  • From 6 October 2026, UK airport eGates are moving to contactless technology, starting at East Midlands Airport and initially for British citizens. Every eGate is expected to be upgraded by early 2027, and Border Force officers will continue to monitor all eGates and offer assistance.9
  • Border Force seized 1,298kg of ketamine in the first quarter of 2026, the highest quarterly total in 15 years and up 42% on the previous quarter. In the same period it intercepted over 9,000kg of cocaine.10

Quick answers

What are the stages of the Border Force officer application process?

The Home Office Jobs application process page lists an application form, the Border Force Suitability Assessment, a full application form for those who pass, a written test, an Online Assessment Centre with a live interview, reserve lists, a provisional offer and vetting.3

What is the Border Force Suitability Assessment?

It is an online test with personality questions, analytical questions and applied decision making within a theoretical situation. Your score is banked for 6 months, and each vacancy has an individual pass mark.3

How long is the Border Force written test?

The Home Office says the written test "on average will take you 50 minutes", made up of 20-25 minutes reading time and 20-25 minutes to write your answer.3

Is the Border Force interview strength-based?

Yes. The Border Force Officer live interview at the Online Assessment Centre is strength-based and held on a video platform, and candidates are asked to read the Civil Service Strengths.3

How long does Home Office recruitment take?

The Home Office Jobs FAQ, which covers Home Office hiring in general, says there is no set time on the process, but pre-employment and security checks mean "it can take up to 6 months to receive a start date".4

Sources

  1. Border Force - GOV.UKGOV.UK
  2. Border Force | Home Office JobsHome Office Jobs
  3. Border Force Application Process | Border Force | Home Office JobsHome Office Jobs
  4. FAQ | Home Office JobsHome Office Jobs
  5. Border Force Roles Overview | Home Office JobsHome Office Jobs
  6. Success Profiles - GOV.UKGOV.UK · 29 Jan 2025
  7. Success Profiles: Strengths - GOV.UKGOV.UK · 29 Jan 2025
  8. Border Force officer | Explore careers | National Careers ServiceNational Careers Service
  9. Airports to go contactless in major boost for UK passengers - GOV.UKGOV.UK · 6 Oct 2026
  10. Ketamine seizures reach 15 year high - GOV.UKGOV.UK · 28 Aug 2026

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