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07429822020Introduction
Over the past six months the town planning job market has been buoyant for both candidates and clients with movement and vacancies aplenty, however, there continues to be a shortage of town planners coming into the sector. An increase in job applications from international planners has threatened to plug that gap, but many places are still hesitant to interview and offer these candidates. At KAP Recruitment we’ve investigated why that might be the case and outlined countries that might have experience with similar planning systems, and their VISA status. It’s common for town planning consultancies to be wary of hiring international planners due to a lack of understanding on their VISA situations or how their experience translates into our planning systems.
Fig 1.0 shows how our applications have increased since coming out of Covid from six major countries, named below (Fig 2.0). We’re grouped Europe together as the number of applicants is particularly low since Brexit from each country, and the USA and Canada narrowly misses out with 2%. Regarding our current rate of applications, we’re due to surpass last year’s total international town planning applicants by August/September. We haven’t broken down where these planners relocate to as the truth is most relocated wherever they found a role. We also haven’t included planners relocating from Ireland as they don’t need sponsorship or permission to work in the UK (a commonly asked question).
Why Hire International Planners?
Aside from adding a different perspective on life, international town planners can get up to speed extremely quickly and can often be incredibly flexible with being in the office (most move to where the job is).
The key when offering a town planning job to an international town planner is to remember how their experience translates to the UK planning system. For example, the Australian and New Zealand planning systems are like ours, sharing a common historical foundation. These planners often pick up caseloads incredibly quickly and can either maintain their level from back home or drop a level down (Senior Planner to Planner). The biggest factor to be conscious of here is that the salaries do not often translate with the ones back home. For example, we recently had a principal town planner in Sydney on $150k (£80k). Luckily, they don’t expect that over here!
A planner from India will (85% of the time) have studied a course in the UK and be on a Graduate VISA. We often see them placed at this level. It’s harder to find an application from a town planner in India wanting to move across without going through this route.
Visa Types
Skilled Worker Visa
This visa is designed for professionals who have secured a job offer from a UK-based employer holding a valid Sponsor License. Applicants must meet specific criteria, including:
Job Offer: A confirmed position from a licensed UK employer.
Skill Level: The role must be at RQF Level 3 or above (equivalent to A-levels).
Salary Threshold: A minimum salary ranging from £23,200 to £38,700 per annum, depending on the role and sector.
English Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English.
Cost: Can cost the employer circa £3k
Youth Mobility Scheme
This scheme offers young individuals from specific countries the opportunity to live and work in the UK for up to two years. Eligibility criteria include:
Age Requirement: Typically, between 18 and 30 or 18 to 35, depending on nationality
Financial Means: Proof of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay.
Australian/Canadian and New Zealand applicants can extend their stay an additional year
Family Visas
For individuals wishing to join family members in the UK, options include:
Spouse or Partner Visa: For those joining their UK-based spouse or partner, requiring proof of relationship, financial stability, and English proficiency.
Parent Visa: For parents coming to care for their child in the UK.
Child Visa: For children joining their parents residing in the UK.
Student Visa
For international students aiming to pursue education in the UK, this visa necessitates:
Course Acceptance: An offer from a recognized UK educational institution.
Financial Support: Proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses.
English Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to understand and communicate in English.
Post-graduation, students may transition to the Graduate Visa, allowing them to work in the UK for up to two years.
British National (Overseas) Visa
Is a special immigration route introduced by the UK government for Hong Kong BN(O) status holders and their immediate family members. This visa was launched on January 31, 2021, in response to concerns about freedoms and rights in Hong Kong after the enactment of the National Security Law by China in 2020.
Who is Eligible?
BN(O) Status Holders: Individuals who were registered as British Nationals (Overseas) before Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997.
Dependents: Immediate family members, including spouses, children (under 18 or over 18 in some cases), and in some circumstances, adult dependent relatives.
Key Features
Work, Study & Live: Holders can live, work, and study in the UK without needing employer sponsorship.
No Salary Threshold: Unlike the Skilled Worker Visa, there is no minimum salary requirement.
Path to Settlement: BN(O) visa holders can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after 5 years and British citizenship after 6 years.
Visa Duration: Available in two options:
– 2.5 years (renewable)
– 5 years (recommended for long-term stay and settlement)
Financial Requirement: Applicants must prove they have enough funds (around £2,000 per adult) to support themselves for at least 6 months.
Further Help
At KAP Town Planning Recruitment we are always looking for new solutions to solve the lack of town planners entering the UK market. When we send international planners to consultancies, we often get asked the same questions, so we hope this blog covers some of that.
If you currently have a vacancy and want to explore the international planner’s market, then let us know and we can book a call to help you find the right fit for your team. If you aready have an international planner and you are considering sponsoring them, we are happy to go through the different types of VISA’s and costings in more detail and if you register on the website with “International Planners” as the subject in your query we can reach out to help.
