Border Services, Customs, and Immigration Officers perform critical enforcement and inspection duties:

• Conduct interviews and inspections of travellers at border entry points
• Examine passports, visas, and immigration documents for admissibility
• Inspect baggage, cargo, and mail for prohibited or undeclared goods
• Enforce customs, immigration, and public safety regulations
• Board aircraft, ships, and vehicles arriving from international locations
• Inform individuals and businesses about customs laws and compliance requirements
• Conduct searches, detentions, and arrests under applicable legislation
• Operate firearms and apply defensive tactics when required
• Determine admissibility and authorize entry into Canada
• Initiate detention or removal proceedings for inadmissible individuals
• Investigate violations of immigration and customs laws
• Prepare reports and appear as witnesses in immigration or enforcement hearings

These are the standard employment requirements and qualifications for this occupation in Canada:

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• Completion of specialized federal government training programs is mandatory.
• Border Services Officers must complete online training and approximately 4.5 months of in-person training at the CBSA College.
• Successful completion of the Officer Trainee Entrance Exam (OTEE) is required.
• Completion of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) is required.
• Candidates must pass psychological assessments, medical examinations, and physical ability tests (PARE).
• Control and Defensive Tactics (CDT) training must be completed.
• A valid driver’s licence is required.
• Security clearance and background checks are mandatory.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and communication skills are essential.
• Foreign-trained professionals may require credential assessment for immigration purposes.