NOC 2021 · 43203 · TEER 3
NOC 43203: Border services, customs, and immigration officers
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
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.
TEER
TEER 3
Usually needs a college diploma, an apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training
Median wage (Canada)
$40.10 / hour
Job Bank, 2023-2024
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Tier 3
+20 CRS for Canadian work, or 50 for a job offer
Express Entry categories
None
General and program draws only
Express Entry
How NOC 43203 counts for Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of continuous skilled (TEER 0–3) work in the last 10 years and 67 points on the FSW grid.
- Canadian Experience Class: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work in Canada in the last 3 years.
- Federal Skilled Trades: not eligibleNeeds 2 years of work in an eligible trade group in the last 5 years, plus a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
High-wage CRS points
NOC 43203 is in tier 3 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.
| 12+ months of Canadian work | +20 points on top of work-length points |
|---|---|
| Qualifying job offer (no LMIA) | 50 points |
You get whichever option scores higher, not both.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
NOC 43203 is not on any of IRCC's 2026 occupation categories. You can still be invited through general, program-specific or French-language draws.
IRCC category listsDuties
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.
For Express Entry, your experience must match the lead statement and most of these duties, not only the job title.
Job titles
Example job titles
- border services officer (BSO)
- customs inspector
- customs officer
- immigration agent - government services
- immigration examining officer
All 24 job titles in NOC 43203
- 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
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.
Additional information
- Border services officers must be willing to work anywhere in Canada, including rural and remote areas.
- Progression to managerial positions in these fields is possible with experience.
This occupation may be regulated in some provinces. You may need a licence or certificate from the provincial regulator before you can work in it in Canada, even if you hold permanent residence.
Wages
Wages for NOC 43203 in Canada
Low, median and high wages per hour in Canadian dollars, from ESDC Job Bank's 2025 wage data.
| Region | Low | Median | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $24.62 | $40.10 | $54.34 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $28.21 | $43.08 | $43.66 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $25.97 | $30.77 | $45.52 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| New Brunswick | $29.33 | $46.15 | $56.41 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Quebec | $26.50 | $40.00 | $50.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Ontario | $21.50 | $42.68 | $55.56 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Manitoba | $30.01 | $39.47 | $49.82 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $27.38 | $39.11 | $49.34 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Alberta | $16.00 | $33.33 | $45.04 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| British Columbia | $30.00 | $46.15 | $56.41 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
Provinces with too little data are not shown. Wages vary by city and employer; see Job Bank for regional figures.
Job outlook
Job outlook by province, 2025–2027
Job Bank rates the 3-year outlook as good or very good in Alberta.
Very goodAlberta
The employment outlook will be Very good for border services, customs, and immigration officers (NOC 43203) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about border services, customs, and immigration officers in Alberta:
Approximately 1,650 people work in this occupation.
Border services, customs, and immigration officers mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 89%
Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 6%
84% of border services, customs, and immigration officers work all year, while 16% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 42% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 56% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 15% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 27% compared to 19% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 48% compared to 21% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
ModeratePrince Edward Island
The employment outlook will be Moderate for border services, customs, and immigration officers (NOC 43203) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about border services, customs, and immigration officers in Prince Edward Island:
Approximately 50 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Border services, customs, and immigration officers mainly work in the following sectors:
Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 53%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 47%
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 50% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 50% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: 38% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 25% compared to 25% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
ModerateNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for border services, customs, and immigration officers (NOC 43203) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about border services, customs, and immigration officers in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 900 people work in this occupation.
Border services, customs, and immigration officers mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 90%
Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 8%
84% of border services, customs, and immigration officers work all year, while 16% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 36% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 64% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 13% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 13% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 22% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 48% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
ModerateNew Brunswick
The employment outlook will be Moderate for border services, customs, and immigration officers (NOC 43203) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Border services, customs, and immigration officers are employed in the public sector.
Employees are typically trained on subject matter after being hired. Candidates may be required to have a valid driver’s license for certain positions.
Individuals who show a willingness to work in rural areas will have enhanced job prospects.
Completion of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CGSC) and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) is required for border services officers.
Candidates may be required to be bilingual for certain positions.
Here are some key facts about border services, customs, and immigration officers in New Brunswick:
Approximately 400 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Border services, customs, and immigration officers mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 91%
Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 8%
90% of border services, customs, and immigration officers work all year, while 10% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 49 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 61% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 39% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 16% compared to 30% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 23% compared to 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 53% compared to 16% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations
ModerateQuebec
The employment outlook will be Moderate for border services, customs, and immigration officers (NOC 43203) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about border services, customs, and immigration officers in Quebec:
Approximately 2,750 people work in this occupation.
Border services, customs, and immigration officers mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 88%
Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 6%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 94% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 6% compared to 18% for all occupations
79% of border services, customs, and immigration officers work all year, while 21% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 51% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 49% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 12% compared to 19% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 7% compared to 19% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 32% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 38% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 10% compared to 11% for all occupations
ModerateOntario
The employment outlook will be Moderate for border services, customs, and immigration officers (NOC 43203) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about border services, customs, and immigration officers in Ontario:
Approximately 8,050 people work in this occupation.
Border services, customs, and immigration officers mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 92%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 95% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
82% of border services, customs, and immigration officers work all year, while 18% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 56% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 44% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 11% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 32% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 43% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 11% compared to 13% for all occupations
ModerateManitoba
The employment outlook will be Moderate for border services, customs, and immigration officers (NOC 43203) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about border services, customs, and immigration officers in Manitoba:
Approximately 650 people work in this occupation.
Border services, customs, and immigration officers mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): more than 95%
88% of border services, customs, and immigration officers work all year, while 13% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 72% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 28% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: 33% compared to 31% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 6% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 23% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 34% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
ModerateBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for border services, customs, and immigration officers (NOC 43203) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
The union representing Canadian Border Services Agency workers ratified a new collective bargaining agreement in 2024.
The new agreement will expire in 2026.
The Government of Canada has proposed in its 2025 Budget to hire 1,000 new Canada Border Services Agency officers in a move to crack down on organized crime and trafficking.
Here are some key facts about border services, customs, and immigration officers in British Columbia:
Approximately 2,850 people work in this occupation.
Border services, customs, and immigration officers mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 93%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 93% compared to 78% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 7% compared to 22% for all occupations
80% of border services, customs, and immigration officers work all year, while 20% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 56% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 43% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 14% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 27% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 46% compared to 22% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 8% compared to 12% for all occupations
LimitedSaskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Limited for border services, customs, and immigration officers (NOC 43203) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about border services, customs, and immigration officers in Saskatchewan:
Approximately 200 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Border services, customs, and immigration officers mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 80%
Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 11%
Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 9%
78% of border services, customs, and immigration officers work all year, while 22% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 68% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 33% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 27% compared to 33% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 15% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 34% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 22% compared to 18% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 7% compared to 7% for all occupations
UndeterminedNewfoundland and Labrador
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNorthwest Territories
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNunavut
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Source: ESDC Job Bank, 3-year employment outlooks 2025–2027 (released December 2025).
Provinces
Provincial Nominee Programs
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. Most provinces run occupation-targeted draws or in-demand lists, and some accept TEER 4 and 5 occupations that Express Entry does not.
Provincial lists change often, sometimes between draws. We check whether NOC 43203 is being targeted by any province as part of a consultation.
Similar occupations
Related NOC codes
Classified elsewhere
If your duties fit one of these better, use that code instead.
Same occupation group
Assisting occupations in legal and public protection
- 43200 Sheriffs and bailiffs
- 43201 Correctional service officers
- 43202 By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers
- 43204 Operations members of the Canadian Armed Forces
Questions
NOC 43203: common questions
What is the NOC code for border services, customs, and immigration officers?
What TEER category is NOC 43203?
Is NOC 43203 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 43203 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 43203 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 43203 in Canada?
Classification
Where it sits in NOC 2021
- 4Occupations in education, law and social, community and government servicesBroad Category
- 43Assisting occupations in education and in legal and public protectionMajor Group
- 432Assisting occupations in legal and public protectionSub-major Group
- 4320Assisting occupations in legal and public protectionMinor Group
- 43203Border services, customs, and immigration officers
Enquiry
Is NOC 43203 your occupation? Ask us about your options.
Tell us your duties, experience and language scores. We will confirm your NOC code and the Canadian routes that fit.
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0, Job Bank wages (2025), Job Bank outlooks 2025–2027 and IRCC. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Checked 21 October 2026.
NOC 2026 is due from Statistics Canada in December 2026. IRCC still uses NOC 2021 codes, and this page will show any change once IRCC switches.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, IRCC or ESDC.
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