Interpreters

Working for us

Existing interpreters

Fees for interpreters

Prospective interpreters

This section explains our current position on prospective freelance interpreters and the opportunity to apply for
vacancies.
The Central Interpreters Unit (CIU) was established in epte!ber "###$ as a co!!it!ent to further increasing
our professionalis! towards interpreting services. %t present we hold a central database$ which is called upon by
!ore than &# different ports and agency offices across the country when they re'uire an interpreter(s services.
The unit(s !ain role is to engage$ assess and train interpreters$ as well as being responsible for personnel
issues.
Frequently Asked Questions

What hours do interpreters work?

The work the %gency provides for interpreters is very !uch de!and)led and can vary considerably.The work
U* +isas , I!!igration (U*+I) provides for interpreters is very !uch de!and led and can vary
considerably.
There is no !ini!u! or !axi!u! re'uire!ent in ter!s of hours. We therefore welco!e applications fro!
those who !ay only be free to interpret at specific ti!es such as evenings or weekends$ as well as those
who are available at any ti!e. Clearly$ as !any airports and ports work "- hours a day$ we are in constant
need of interpreting services.
here is no !ini!u! or !axi!u! require!ent in ter!s of hours" We therefore welco!e applications
fro! those who !ay only #e free to interpret at specific ti!es such as evenings or weekends$ as well
as those who are availa#le at any ti!e" %learly$ as !any airports and ports work &' hours a day$ we
are in constant need of interpreting services"

What type of work are interpreters required to do?

The !a.ority of interpreting work is face)to)face interpreting. This !ay be in either arrival interviews or
casework interviews where an individual as been booked in advance. In both cases you will be re'uired to
provide si!ultaneous translation. /hone interpreting is also occasionally re'uired.

Where do you use interpreters0 We use interpreters at !any regional locations across the United
*ingdo!$ as well as the !a.or ports and airports such as 1eathrow$ 2atwick and 3over. The public
en'uiry office in Croydon is also a !a.or user of interpreters. The !a.ority of interpreting work is face)to)
face interpreting. This !ay be in either arrival interviews or casework interviews where an individual has
been booked in advance. In both cases you will be re'uired to provide si!ultaneous interpreting..
/hone interpreting is also occasionally re'uired.

Where do you use interpreters?

We use interpreters at !any regional locations across the United *ingdo!$ as well as the !a.or ports and
airports such as 1eathrow$ 2atwick and 3over. The public en'uiry offices are also a !a.or user of
interpreters.

Why do you use interpreters?

/assengers arrive in the United *ingdo! fro! !any different countries. The %gency handled approxi!ately
4# !illion last year alone. The vast !a.ority of overseas nationals are able to co!!unicate satisfactorily with
i!!igration officers but in so!e cases$ where co!!unication proves i!possible$ the i!!igration officer will
call on the services of an interpreter./assengers arrive in the United *ingdo! fro! !any different countries.
The vast !a.ority of overseas nationals are able to co!!unicate satisfactorily with i!!igration officers but in
so!e cases$ where co!!unication proves i!possible$ the i!!igration officer will call on the services of an
interpreter.

Are interpreters () *order Agency+I e!ployees?

5o. %ll interpreters work on a freelance basis$ taking engage!ents for U*+I in their own ti!e. %ll interpreters
are self)e!ployed and inclusion on our lists does not offer any guarantee as to receiving work or continued
inclusion. Therefore there is no for!al co!!it!ent or contract
5o. %ll interpreters work on a freelance basis$ taking engage!ents for the %gency in their own ti!e. %ll
interpreters are self)e!ployed and inclusion on our lists does not offer any guarantee as to receiving work or
continued inclusion. Therefore there is no for!al co!!it!ent or contract.

%re there any !ini!u! re'uire!ents0

In order to !aintain a high standard of interpreters we re'uire interpreters to be a (full status( !e!ber of the
5ational 6egister of /ublic ervice Interpreting (56/I) or already holds a 3iplo!a in /ublic ervice
Interpreting (law)$ or has passed the %sylu! and I!!igration Tribunal (%IT) or a !etropolitan police
assess!ent in the last 7 years.

Are there any restrictions on who can apply?

8ou are only eligible to apply if you9
o have been resident in the U* for the last 7 years:
o are a ;ritish<=U citi>en or have indefinite leave to re!ain in the U*: and
o speak =nglish and another language fluently.
8ou !ust also9
o be a full !e!ber of the 5ational 6egister of /ublic ervices Interpreters (56/I): or
o hold a 3iplo!a in /ublic ervices Interpreting (3/I) (?aw) or a letter of Credit in all oral
co!ponents (?aw): or
o have been assessed by the %sylu! and I!!igration Tribunal (%IT) (for!erly the I!!igration
%ppellate %uthority): or
o have been assessed by the @etropolitan /olice
%pplication Aor!
%pplication Aor! no
border.doc

%re there any restrictions on who can apply0

8ou are only eligible to apply if you9
o have been resident in the U* for the last 7 years:
o are a ;ritish<=U citi>en or have indefinite leave to re!ain in the U*: and
o speak =nglish and another language fluently.
8ou !ust also9
o be a full !e!ber of the 5ational 6egister of /ublic ervices Interpreters (56/I): or
o hold a 3iplo!a in /ublic ervices Interpreting (3/I) (?aw) or a letter of Credit in all oral
co!ponents (?aw): or
o have been assessed by the %sylu! and I!!igration Tribunal (%IT) (for!erly the I!!igration
%ppellate %uthority): or
o have been assessed by the @etropolitan /olice.
Internet links

Bfficial ecrets %ct C4&4

%ontact

Central Interpreters Unit

Central Interpreters Unit$ Interpreter Bperations Unit$ 5ational %sylu! Case Work 3irectorate Co!!and$ U*
+isas and I!!igration , ettle!ent 2roup$ U* ;order %gency$ ?evel C D (;lueilver Eone)$ The Capital$
5ew 1all /lace$ ?iverpool$ ?7 4//
CIUFho!eoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Existing interpreters
Interpreters
This page contains useful infor!ation for interpreters who are on our Ccentral Iinterpreters Uunit database.
The unit has sole responsibility for !aintaining your details on the database. If you do not notify the unit of these
details and we cannot contact you$ you !ay lose work.
Personal details
If any of your personal details (such as your address or phone nu!ber) change$ you should co!plete a for! to
notify the unit. he unit will only accept these changes in writing.
Change of address for! (/3A &4*; opens in a new window).
Change of det ails
f or! C&. C". C7.pdf
*ank details
5ew interpreters !ust provide bank details when they are first registered on the panel" If these details change$
you !ust co!plete a %hange of ,etails for! and su#!it electronuically to %I( to notify the unit of the
change and ensure pay!ents are !ade to the correct account""
5ew interpreters !ust co!plete a bank details for! when they are first registered on the agency panel" If these
details change$ you !ust co!plete a new for! to notify the unit"

;ank details for! (/3A CC* opens in a new window)

-ecurity clearance
%ll interpreters registered on the agency panel will need to be security cleared. To assist in this process CIU will
obtain so!e infor!ation on application which is then transferred to the 3epart!ental ecurity Unit (3U) who
will contact applicants electronically to co!plete an on line vetting for!. There are strict deadlines in place for
each stage of the pGrocess and failure to respond in ti!e !ay result in your application being ter!inated.
!ust co!plete a security 'uestionnaire. We will send you this 'uestionnaire.
Fees
ee Aees for interpreters for the current list of fees. 8ou should always !ake a note of the agency officer who
booked your assign!ent. If you have any booking or pay!ent in'uiries$ you should contact the office that booked
you. he %central Iinterpreters (unit does not deal with pay!ents"
.eferences
8ou can re'uest a standard reference fro! the unit. 1owever$ this will not specify the nu!ber of hours worked.
/onitoring
Interviewing officers are issued with Ccentral Iinterpreters Uunit !onitoring for!s$ which they are asked to
co!plete if they have any co!!ents on the interpreter used in an assign!ent (because the interpreter
perfor!ed particularly well or badly$ for exa!ple). These are not co!pleted for every interview.
Interviews !ay also be !onitored for training and security purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions

I would like to notify you the Agency of so!e changes to !y personal or #ank details" Who do I
contact?
To change or update your personal or bank details you will need to contact us in writing in order for us to
a!end the database. /lease write to the address on the right side of this page.

To change or update your personal or bank details you will need to

co!plete a Change of 3etails Aor!

and sub!it it to us via e!ail or post in order for us to a!end the database. Will I receive a certificate after
co!pleting the assess!ent and training progra!!e0

If

you are successful then you will receive a certificate specific to the () *order Agency produced
#y 0anguage -ervice 0i!ited for each language"

Are interpreters () *order Agency +I e!ployees?

5o. %ll interpreters work on a freelance basis$ taking engage!ents for

U*

+I

in their own ti!e. %ll

interpreters are self)e!ployed and inclusion on our lists does not offer any guarantee as to receiving
work or continued inclusion. Therefore there is no for!al co!!it!ent or contract.
Fees for interpreters
Interpreters
The following are the current fees we pay for interpreting services9
/onday to Friday
Airst hour9 H-& then9

#&#C ) C&##9 HCI per hour

C&#C ) #&##9 H"# per hour

-aturday
Airst hour9 HD" then H"I per hour
-undays and #ank holidays
Airst hour9 HD" then9 H7" per hour
@ini!u! pay!ent is three hours
12* you will only receive one !ini!u! pay!ent and one first hour enhanced pay!ent in any &' hour
period3"
Telephone interpreting rates
HC# for every 7# !ins.#&9#C)"79J4
H"# for every 7# !ins ##9##)#&9##
ravel expenses
Car9 !ore than J# !iles (one way)9 "7.& a !ile (for each !ile in excess of J# !iles).
%ctual car parking costs in all cases if !ost econo!ical route has been taken to the office (to a !axi!u! of HC7
if short)stay car parking).
2*" here are exceptions to the !axi!u! car parking fee $ for exa!ple$ airport car parking when air
transport is a require!ent"
2* We do not rei!#urse travel costs for interpreters whose travel fro! ho!e to work and #ack falls
within 4ones 567$ as the cost of a return 8ourney using an oyster card will #e under 95:";; per day"
1Interpreters are paid an enhanced fiirst hour each day to cover the costs of any additional expenses
incurred during your #ooking3"
/ublic transport9 actual fare refunded in full if9
C. tickets or receipts are provided: and
". !ost econo!ical route taken: and
7. fare is over HC7.##
Taxi fares will only be rei!bursed on travel when staying overnight (ie. one way only fro! railway station
to hotel) ?ocal !anagers !ust authorise any other taxi costs K actual fare paid if9
i. receipt provided (showing cost$ date and .ourney details)
ii. pre)authorised by booking unit. .
-u#sistence
Bvernight subsistence9 H"I per night.
1otel stay: HIJ.## !axi!u! per night(original receipt obtained on date of departuure to be sub!itted).
ravel ti!e
Airst three hours (each way) of travelling ti!e to be covered by interpreter. %ny excess hours paid at pro rata
rates.
Prospective interpreters
Interpreters
This page explains how to apply to register on our panel of interpreters.
/rospective Interpreters
Interpreter Bperations Unit is now looking to increase its nu!ber of interpreters and Central Interpreters Unit is
happy to consider any applicants who !eet the re'uire!ents.
%ssess!ent will be !ade as to whether the language(s)<dialect(s) are in de!and in the region in which the
applicant resides. In the case of rare and difficult languages CIU will also consider those willing to travel to
assign!ents. Bnly those in de!and will be recruited i!!ediately.
If the language<dialect you speak is not considered to be in de!and at the ti!e of application your contact details
will be kept and if the situation alters you will be contacted to en'uire if you still have an interest in registering
with us.
Frequently Asked Questions

What hours do interpreters work?

The work the %gency provides for interpreters is very !uch de!and)led and can vary considerably.
There is no !ini!u! or !axi!u! re'uire!ent in ter!s of hours. We therefore welco!e applications fro!
those who !ay only be free to interpret at specific ti!es such as evenings or weekends$ as well as those
who are available at any ti!e. Clearly$ as !any airports and ports work "- hours a day$ we are in constant
need of interpreting services.

What type of work are interpreters required to do?

The !a.ority of interpreting work is face)to)face interpreting. This !ay be in either arrival interviews or
casework interviews where an individual as been booked in advance. In both cases you will be re'uired to
provide si!ultaneous translation. /hone interpreting is also occasionally re'uired.
In order to !aintain a high standard of interpreters we re'uire interpreters to be a (full status( !e!ber of the
5ational 6egister of /ublic ervice Interpreting (56/I) or already holds a 3iplo!a in /ublic ervice
Interpreting (law)$ or has passed the %sylu! and I!!igration Tribunal (%IT) or a !etropolitan police
assess!ent in the last 7 years.

Are there any restrictions on who can apply?

8ou are only eligible to apply if you9
o have been resident in the U* for the last 7 years:
o are a ;ritish<=U citi>en or have indefinite leave to re!ain in the U*: and
o speak =nglish and another language fluently.
8ou !ust also9
o be a full !e!ber of the 5ational 6egister of /ublic ervices Interpreters (56/I): or
o hold a 3iplo!a in /ublic ervices Interpreting (3/I) (?aw) or a letter of Credit in all oral
co!ponents (?aw): or
o have been assessed by the %sylu! and I!!igration Tribunal (%IT) (for!erly the I!!igration
%ppellate %uthority): or
o have been assessed by the @etropolitan /olice.
5o. %ll interpreters work on a freelance basis$ taking engage!ents for the %gency in their own ti!e. %ll
interpreters are self)e!ployed and inclusion on our lists does not offer any guarantee as to receiving work or
continued inclusion. Therefore there is no for!al co!!it!ent or contract.
Central Interpreters Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct )
C" C" #& 5ew branding (D). doc
U* +isas and I!!igrationI Contact directory

%entral Interpreters (nit

The Central Interpreters Unit (CIU) was established in epte!ber "###$ to further increase the
professionalis! towards interpreting services. We now hold a central database which can be called on by
U*+I !ore than &# ports and agency offices across the country when an interpreter is re'uired.
E!ail<
CIUFho!eoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Address<
Central Interpreters Unit$ Interpreter Bperations Unit$ %sylu! Casework 3irectorate$ U* +isas , I!!igration
?evel C (;lue Eone)$ The Capital$ 5ew 1all /lace$ ?iverpool$ ?7 4//
Chapter 74 K Interpreters 74.Interpreters
CIU is not the owner<author of this docu!ent it is an enforce!ent Instruction and
2uidance Chapter but CIU e!ail address at page two needs to be updated to
CIUFho!eoffice.gsi.gov.uk