Working Abroad

Introduction

Read the RTPI Guide to Working Internationally.

General advice:

• Visit the target country (eg. study trip, conference) to better understand the job market.
• Research the local planning system. Suggested resource: International Manual of Planning Practice (RTPI members have a discount).

• Search the local planning association to find out about the recognition of UK planning qualifications and enquire about membership.
  
  

Find out about vacancies

Multinational Consultancies

Large consultancy companies have offices overseas. You can find more of them on the on-line RTPI Consultants Directory. Example list below:

Aecom; Amec Foster Wheeler; Arcadis; Arup; Atkins; Barton Willmore; Bilfinger GVA; Capita Property and Infrastructure Ltd; CBRE; CGMS (part of RPS); CH2M; Cushman & Wakefield; Deloitte; ERM; Jacobs; Peter Brett Associates; Savills; White Young GreenWSP.

Online research

• "Careers", "work with us" or "jobs" sections of international planning consultancies, charities, universities, NGOs and international agencies.
• The main national newspapers in the target country may have job sections (Like The Guardian, The Independent, The Times and Daily Telegraph in the UK) including planning jobs in the international charity sectors (eg: https://jobs.theguardian.com/; http://independentjobs.independent.co.uk/ )
• Websites advertising built environment jobs in international agencies: (eg. https://unjobs.org/, https://reliefweb.int/jobs)
• National planning association have newsletters with job opportunities (eg. New Zealand Planning Institute)

Planning Exchange with the USA

The American Planning Association has a programme of exchanges. Read more here.

Volunteering

Search volunteering websites for opportunities connected to planning. Example list below:

• Voluntary Service Overseas offers volunteer placements for experienced professionals as short-term advisors in developing countries. Register via the Engineering and Technical volunteer jobs page.
• RedR
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
• Voluntary Services Overseas
• Engineers without Borders
• Architecture for Humanity
• Architecture Sans Frontières UK
• BuildAction
  

RTPI membership abroad

The RTPI accepts work experience abroad in membership applications. For more on this, see the guidance in the membership section.

If you are a member you need to inform the Subscriptions Department when you change your address and ask them to recalculate your membership fee. Fees for members based abroad are lower.

You will need to keep up your CPD while you are away.

If you are a member you can contact the international office internaitonal@rtpi.org.uk to make contacts with local RTPI members or with the local planning association.

Working in the UK

The RTPI does not provide a job hunting service, visa advice or internships. This is our general advice on how to find work, where to apply for visas and where to find more information:

• Visit the UK (eg. study trip, conference) to better understand the job market (for RTPI conferences and events see here).
• We do not recognise the membership of other national institutes. Becoming an RTPI member is a good way to become acquainted with the local planning community and system. Find out more here.

• Research the local planning system. Suggested resource: International Manual of Planning Practice (RTPI members have a discount).

Visas and Work Permits

UK Government's Home Office
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration

Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
a one-stop shop for all asylum, immigration, citizenship and visa enquiries. http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Home

Consultancies and Local Authorities

Large consultancy companies have offices in the UK. You can find more of them on the on-line RTPI Consultants Directory. Example list below:

Aecom; Amec Foster Wheeler; Arcadis; Arup; Atkins; Barton Willmore; Bilfinger GVA; Capita Property and Infrastructure Ltd; CBRE; CGMS (part of RPS); CH2M; Cushman & Wakefield; Deloitte; ERM; Jacobs; Peter Brett Associates; Savills; White Young GreenWSP.

 To find names and addresses of UK local authorities (councils/municipalities) see the UK Government information website.

To find names and addresses of Irish local authorities and other official information:
Government of Ireland website

Online Research

• "Careers", "work with us" or "jobs" sections of international planning consultancies and charities,
•  Our monthly magazine, The Planner, job ads: http://jobs.theplanner.co.uk/,
• National newspapers have job sections (The Guardian, The Independent, The Times and Daily Telegraph) including planning jobs in the international charity sectors (eg: https://jobs.theguardian.com/; http://independentjobs.independent.co.uk/ ),
• Websites advertising built environment jobs in international agencies: (eg. https://unjobs.org/, https://reliefweb.int/jobs),
• National planning associaiotn have newsletters with job opportunities (eg. New Zealand Planning Institute),

• RTPI accredited universities also advertised vacancies on their websites,
• Recruitment agencies can assist in locating jobs in local authorities, property development companies and other employers of planners.

UK and Ireland Planning Policy

UK - Planning is devolved in the UK. This means there are different planning systems operating in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Read more on our Policy webpage.

Information on the Irish planning system can be found on the page of RTPI Ireland and on the Irish Government's  Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government webpage.

Find our research and practice advice here.

If you are member you can join the RTPI UK Networks, groups and forums or our Young Planners. These provide information on activities and events in the areas below:

• Transport
• Urban Design
• Planning Research
• Rural Planning
• Housing