Prospective interpreters

This page explains how to apply to register on our panel of interpreters.

In the interests of continuing to build and maintain a panel of high-quality interpreters, new applicants will (except if they live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, or in exceptional circumstances) only be added to the panel once they have been assessed by Language Services Limited and have been security cleared.

Applying

You are only eligible to apply if you:

  • have been resident in the UK for the last three years;
  • are a British/EU citizen or have indefinite leave to remain in the UK; and
  • speak English and another language fluently.

You must also:

  • be a full member of the National Register of Public Services Interpreters (NRPSI); or
  • hold a Diploma in Public Services Interpreting (DPSI) (Law) or a letter of Credit in all oral components (Law); or
  • have been assessed by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT) (formerly the Immigration Appellate Authority); or
  • have been assessed by the Metropolitan Police.

If you meet the above criteria, you should contact our central interpreters unit to find out whether there is a specific need for your language or languages in your area.

If there is a need for your language or languages, you will need to compete and submit an application to the unit to be considered. You can download the application form from the right side of this page. Applications include confirmation of identity by means of original documentation and security clearance, and original qualification certificates will need to be submitted.

If you are successful, you will be added to a database that is accessible on the Home Office intranet, listing all interpreters available.

New applicants will only be added to the panel once they have met all the listed requirements.

Training and assessment programme

In order to maintain a high standard of interpreters, we require interpreters who are registered on the panel to attend our training and assessment programme. The programme is conducted by Language Services Limited, a division of the Institute of Linguists.

You will only be exempt from attending the programme if you are a 'full status' member of the NRPSI, hold a DPSI (Law), or have passed an AIT or police force assessment in the last three years.

You will be assessed in every language that you are registered for, unless you hold any of the above qualifications for that language. You will, however, only have to attend one training session.

If you are not successful in the programme for any language, you will immediately be removed from the panel for that language.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are there any restrictions on who can apply?

    There are few restrictions. The principal one is that overseas nationals applying to join the panel should not have any restriction on their stay in the United Kingdom. Please send your enquiries to the department for more information.
  • What hours do interpreters work?

    The work the Agency provides for interpreters is very much demand-led and can vary considerably.

    There is no minimum or maximum requirement in terms of hours. We therefore welcome applications from those who may only be free to interpret at specific times such as evenings or weekends, as well as those who are available at any time. Clearly, as many airports and ports work 24 hours a day, we are in constant need of interpreting services.
  • What type of work are interpreters required to do?

    The majority of interpreting work is face-to-face interpreting. This may be in either arrival interviews or casework interviews where an individual as been booked in advance. In both cases you will be required to provide simultaneous translation. Phone interpreting is also occasionally required.
  • Are there any minimum requirements?

    In order to maintain a high standard of interpreters we require interpreters to attend our training and assessment programme. This programme is conducted by Language Services Limited - a division of the Institute of Linguists. An individual is only exempt from the above if he/she is a 'full status' member of the National Register of Public Service Interpreting (NRPSI) or already holds a Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (with law), or has passed the Independent Appellate Authorities (IAA) or a police force assessment in the last three years.

    If an individual is not successful in the above programme he/she will be immediately removed from the panel.

    If he/she is successful, he/she will receive a certificate specific to the UK Border  Agency produced by Language Service Limited.

Related documents

Contact

More contacts