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Immigration Officer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

US Government Jobs

Executive Officer

Falls Church, VA · On-site

Job Title This position is located in the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Executive Office for Immigration Review, U. S. Department of Justice. The Executive Officer advises Board leadership and ...

New

Caroline Detention Facility

Detention Officer

Bowling Green, VA · On-site

$39K - $54K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We work in conjunction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to provide care and security to ... We have immediate openings for Detention Officers and are ideally seeking candidates with ...

Caroline Detention Facility

Detention Officer

Bowling Green, VA · On-site

$23.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We work in conjunction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to provide care and security to ... We have immediate openings for Detention Officers and are ideally seeking candidates with ...

Attorney | ICE

VA

$51K/yr

S. borders and upholding immigration laws, playing a key role in defending our nation ... experienced officer, supporting arrests of individuals accused of violating federal, state, or ...

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All JobsImmigration Officer JobsImmigration Officer Jobs in Virginia

Immigration Officer information

See Virginia salary details

$32.2K

$61.6K

$102.6K

How much do immigration officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for immigration officer in Virginia is $61,615.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,100.00 and $73,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an immigration officer?

Immigration Officers are government officials responsible for enforcing immigration laws and regulations. They review and assess visa applications, interview individuals seeking entry into a country, and check travel documents at borders and airports. Their duties also include identifying and preventing illegal entry, detaining individuals who violate immigration laws, and assisting with deportation processes. Immigration Officers play a crucial role in maintaining national security while facilitating legal travel and migration.

What does an immigration officer do?

Immigration jobs focus on government and legal positions that deal with immigration cases. The jobs in this area include titles like immigration customs agent, immigration case manager, immigration officer, and immigration attorney. Your primary goal in this field is to coordinate immigration efforts, assist people on the path to citizenship or naturalization, and uphold the rights of applicants. A small number of immigration jobs exist within large corporations whose global work often requires moving employees between countries. With a career in immigration, you may visit courtrooms to argue cases, fill out visa or citizenship paperwork, conduct background checks, help immigrants find housing, or connect immigrants with social services.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an immigration officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Immigration Officer, you need a solid understanding of immigration laws, investigative techniques, and typically a relevant degree or law enforcement background. Familiarity with case management systems, biometric identification tools, and document verification technologies is essential. Strong analytical thinking, cultural sensitivity, and effective communication skills help you stand out in this role. These capabilities ensure fair and accurate processing of applications, enhance border security, and support efficient public service.

What are some common challenges immigration officers face when processing complex visa applications?

Immigration Officers often encounter complex visa applications that require thorough investigation and careful attention to detail. Challenges can include verifying the authenticity of supporting documents, interpreting evolving immigration laws and policies, and balancing efficiency with fairness in decision-making. Officers also regularly manage high caseloads and must coordinate with other government agencies to resolve discrepancies or conduct background checks. Strong organizational skills and ongoing training help officers navigate these complexities while maintaining accuracy and compliance.

What is the difference between Immigration Officer vs Customs Officer?

AspectImmigration OfficerCustoms Officer
Required credentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; sometimes additional certificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent; often similar certifications
Work environmentBorder crossings, airports, immigration officesPorts, border crossings, airports, customs facilities
Employer and industry usageGovernment immigration agenciesCustoms agencies, border security
Common search intentImmigration procedures, visa processing, border controlImport/export regulations, duty enforcement, border security

While both roles work at borders and involve security, Immigration Officers primarily handle visa processing and immigration status, whereas Customs Officers focus on regulating goods and enforcing import/export laws. Both roles require similar credentials and often work in overlapping environments, but their core responsibilities differ.

What is needed to become an immigration officer?

To become an immigration officer, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, though some positions require a bachelor's degree in fields like criminal justice or public administration. Applicants must pass background checks, security clearances, and often complete specialized training or certification related to immigration laws and procedures. Strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to handle sensitive situations are essential skills for the role.

What qualifications do you need for an immigration officer?

To become an immigration officer, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, with some positions requiring a bachelor's degree in fields like criminal justice, law enforcement, or public administration. Relevant skills include strong communication, attention to detail, and knowledge of immigration laws and procedures; some roles may also require passing background checks and training programs. Certifications are not always mandatory but can enhance prospects in this field.
More about Immigration Officer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Immigration Officer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Immigration Officer jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Immigration Officer jobs in Virginia?

For Immigration Officer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Immigration Officer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Immigration Officer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Immigration Officer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Immigration Officer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Immigration Officer jobs in VA?

For Immigration Officer jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Immigration Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Immigration Officer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,615 per year, or $29.6 per hour.

Immigration Services Officer

US Department of Homeland Security

Fairfax, VA • On-site

$70K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 14 days ago

U.S. Department Of Homeland Security rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

99th of 295 rated public sector bodies

Job description

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud.
As an Immigration Services Officer, you will conduct in-person interviews to adjudicate applications for immigration benefits and assist other federal agencies in identifying those who pose a threat to national security and public safety.Qualifications:The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 08/17/2026.
Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the lower grade or equivalent grade band in the Federal service. The Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 08/17/2026.

GS-09: You qualify at the GS-09 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the following duties:
  • Examining, evaluating evidence, and analyzing immigration benefits documents received for authenticity.
  • Researching, analyzing and applying appropriate immigration laws, policies and procedures.
  • Making determinations for immigration benefits based on reviews of applications in coordination with policies. OR
  • You may substitute a Master's degree or 2 full years of graduate education leading to such a degree in any field or a J.D. or L.L.B. degree for experience required at the GS-09 grade level. Such education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.
Please read the following important information to ensure you submit everything we need to consider your application: It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit your responses and appropriate documentation prior to 08/17/2026. You must upload your resume under the "Resume" category. Resumes submitted under the "Other Documents" category will not be considered. Your most recently submitted resume will be used to determine your qualifications for the position advertised in this announcement. Therefore, your resume must highlight your most relevant, significant experience related to the requirements found in the qualification section of this announcement, as well as any applicable education. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. To help ensure your resume remains clear and easy to read, we recommend using margins of at least 0.8 inches and a font size of at least 11 point. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since Human Resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will be rated and ranked based on your responses to the online questions.
Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:
  • Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
  • Duties (be specific in describing your duties)
  • Employer's name and address
  • Supervisor name and phone number
  • Start and end dates including month, day and year (e.g. June 18 2007 to April 05 2008)
  • Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position.
  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
  • Salary
Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide the above information may result in a finding of ineligible.
Note: Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.
Federal Experience: If you are using current or prior federal experience as a basis for qualifying for this position, the grade levels and length of employment (mm/dd/year) at each grade level must be listed in your work history. This information will be further validated if selected for this position.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build criteria competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer service.
Education:
COMBINING QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: If you do not qualify based on experience or education alone, you may be able to qualify based on a combination of your experience and education. For more information on combining education and experience, visit the following website: General Schedule Qualification Standards. Transcript required: If you don't submit a transcript, we will not use your education when deciding if you're qualified for the job. For verification purposes, the transcript submitted must include your name and educational institution.
Training: Selected candidates are required to attend and successfully complete the USCIS Immigration Service Officer Basic (ISO BASIC) Training Program located with the USCIS Academy Training Center in Charleston, SC. The ISO BASIC Training Program is approximately 5-6 weeks of academic instruction on the Immigration and Nationality Act, Code of Federal Regulations, and other immigration-related topics. Failure to meet the minimum exam average by the end of the course is grounds for removal from the position.
Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP): Per 5 CFR 576.202, An employee who receives a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) and later accepts employment for compensation with the Government of the United States within 5 years of the date of the separation on which the VSIP is based, including work under a personal services contract or other direct contract, must repay the entire amount of the VSIP to the agency that paid it (proof of payment is required) before the individual's first day of reemployment.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
Common definitions for hiring terms found in this announcement.Employment Type: OTHER

What U.S. Department Of Homeland Security employees say

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About U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal agency operating within the government services industry in Washington, DC, US. Established in 2003, the DHS is directly responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its main responsibilities include protecting the United States from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. Through its more than 20 component agencies including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, it ensures the safety of the US through numerous programs and initiatives. The DHS upholds a core value system with the mission of safeguarding the American people, our homeland, and values. Notably, the DHS plays a critical role in the spectral range of activities to prepare, prevent, and respond to possible threats to the US.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003

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