Working internationally

Recognition of the professional status of Chartered Architectural Technologists can vary significantly outside the UK.

In some jurisdictions, there is no direct equivalent role to that of a Chartered Architectural Technologist. This can present problems if architectural design functions are protected in legislation; members and affiliates may be limited in the services they can provide. In other contexts, however, architectural design functions are not protected in legislation, meaning that an individual's practice will not be restricted. This topic is considered further here.

As a matter of professional ethics and in line with the Code of Conduct, CIAT expects all members and affiliates to work within the limits of their competence, and not to offer services that they do not have capacity or competence to deliver. Working internationally does not change the expectations and obligations on CIAT members and affiliates. Professionals should consider whether they have sufficient knowledge of the local regulatory, contractual technical and professional environment and should obtain appropriate local specialist advice where necessary.

UK Building Regulations, Approved Documents and British Standards should not be assumed to be applied overseas. Members and affiliates should establish the applicable local legislation, codes and standards to ensure that they have, or obtain, the competence needed to work within the relevant regulatory system, and that they discharge any other applicable regulatory requirements (such as holding adequate Professional Indemnity Insurance).

Members and affiliates with questions on insurance abroad or who are unable to meet the Institute's insurance requirements, are advised to contact the Practice & Technical Department at [email protected]

It's also important that anyone looking to work overseas has the legal right to do so – for example, on the basis of visa or immigration status. Information on this can normally be found via the relevant embassy or immigration department. Professionals should refer to Foreign Office guidance on overseas travel for more information.

Members and affiliates will also need to consider other residency requirements, such as taxation or healthcare insurance. Depending on eligibility and destination, members and affiliates travelling overseas may be able to use a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which allows access to medically necessary healthcare in various countries (including the European Economic Area, Australia, Switzerland and the Channel Islands) on the same basis as citizens of that country. Members and affiliates should check current NHS guidance before travelling and should consider appropriate travel and health insurance, as well as any travel vaccinations.

British citizens living abroad may still have to pay tax in the UK, depending on their residence status. More information can be found here.

British citizens who were legally living in an EU member state before 1 January 2021 have the right to keep living and working there on an ongoing basis, via the UK's EU Withdrawal agreement. The withdrawal agreement also protects individuals who started working in one EU country and living in a different EU country of the UK, before 1 January 2021. However, these individuals do not have full free movement of rights (unless those have been secured through the residence requirements of the state in which they are living).

British citizens wishing to travel to Europe for work will need to follow specific rules, which vary depending on the country. These rules apply when travelling for work in Europe regardless of the nature of the work – for example, attending a conference will be treated in the same way as provision of services. A short explainer document can be found here, and country-by-country rules here.

For more than a century, a Common Travel Area has been maintained between the UK and the Republic of Ireland. This allows British and Irish citizens to travel, live, work and study across the Common Travel Area, without any additional visa or residency requirements. This includes living in one country and working in the other. More information can be found here and here.

N.B. following the passage of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, Irish Law designates only certain registered professionals as competent to provide Design and Assigned Certifier services under the Building Control Regulation 1997 (as amended).

At present, Chartered Architectural Technologists are not recognised under this legislation, meaning that Chartered Architectural Technologists may need to work in partnership with other professionals, such as architects, to deliver a full range of services in Ireland. CIAT continues to engage with the Irish Government to secure statutory recognition of Chartered Architectural Technologists in Ireland. A "shadow" Architectural Technologists Register is now operational, demonstrating the viability of recognition for Chartered Members.

More information on the Architectural Technologists Register can be found here. Members should check the current position before accepting appointments involving statutory functions.