Architects Business Immigration

Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors – Architects – UK Visa Applications

The construction and property boom in the UK has fuelled a demand for architects, including architectural technicians and designers.

UK-based architectural practices wishing to recruit architects from the global pool of talent may face restrictions on Tier 2 visa applications under UK immigration law – meaning practices not able to find the specialist skills they need from the UK labour force may also face challenges in their international recruitment of architects.

Duncan Lewis business immigration solicitors can advise companies on the overseas recruitment of architects – who are eligible to work in the UK under the regulations covering occupations skilled to NQF Level 6.

Duncan Lewis business immigration lawyers frequently advise companies on Tier 2 visa applications – as well as advising on recruiting recent overseas graduates who have qualified as architects in the UK.

Any Tier 2 applicants can be sponsored for jobs in certain occupations – and the government has drawn up a list of eligible occupations for architects wishing to apply for a Tier 2 visa to take up a position in the UK.

UK Visas & Immigration regulations set out in the Codes of Practice for Skilled Workers such as architects.

Under the regulations, the sort of roles within a company that would be eligible for a Tier 2 visa application include:

• Architect
• Architectural consultant
• Chartered architect
• Landscape architect.

UK Visas & Immigration rules also set out the types of duties an architect   might undertake to qualify for a Tier 2 visa, including:

• liaises with client and other professionals to establish building type, style, cost limitations and landscaping requirements
• studies condition and characteristics of site, taking into account drainage, topsoil, trees, rock formations, etc
• analyses site survey and advises client on development and construction details and ensures that proposed design blends in with the surrounding area
• prepares detailed scale drawings and specifications for design and construction and submits these for planning approval
• monitors construction work in progress to ensure compliance with specifications.

The current minimum salary range for an architect applying for a Tier 2 UK visa would be:            

• Part 1 graduate architect: £21,000
• Part 2 graduate architect: £23,100
• Part 3 graduate/ newly registered architect: £27,300
• Experienced architect: £31,200.

Source: Evidence provided by the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2011 uplifted using the 2013 national rate of pay inflation.

Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors – UK Visa Applications & Appeals – Architects

Applying for a Tier 2 visa for an architect joining your UK operation requires expert legal advice on the preparation of the visa application to ensure no delays occur.

Companies should be aware that any delays in the Tier 2 visa application process might potentially jeopardise the timely take up of an architect appointment.

Duncan Lewis immigration experts are one of the UK’s leading specialist immigration and business immigration solicitors, with a highly successful track record in advising companies and individuals on business immigration and the UK visa application process and UK business immigration law.

Duncan Lewis immigration lawyers have offices nationwide and in most major cities – and our national and London immigration lawyers regularly advise companies wishing to recruit qualified and experienced architects from overseas on:

• Tier 2 Licence
• Tier 2 Certificate of Sponsor (CoS)
• Tier 2 Visa Applications
• Tier 2 Intra Company Transfers
• Standard UK Visa for Business Visits.

Duncan Lewis business immigration experts are also able to advise on visa appeals for architects wishing to take up appointments in the UK.

As immigration specialists, Duncan Lewis is ranked by Legal 500 2015 for its business immigration services.

For further information on UK visa applications for Architects, call Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors in confidence on 0333 772 0409 for a FREE initial consultation.