Thomas Vonier FAIA, 2016 President-Elect, American Institute of Architects 

As part of my ongoing commitment to secure new opportunities for US architects, I have been working on jobs overseas for recent graduates.  In contrast to what seems to be a common perception, US graduates who wish to work or to complete internships outside of the United States have great opportunities to do so. 

Such stints can offer unparalleled enrichment, of course, even if they are relatively short-term, and a track record abroad can be a great calling card for onward employment.  The experience of a young US architecture graduate, now working in France, is a case in point. 

“France has visas available for young professionals, ages 18-35, who wish to obtain new skills they cannot acquire in their home countries,” he found.  “I had an interview with [a French architecture firm] in April 2014, before I graduated.  They offered me a position in May, and I found a visa program through Cultural Vistas (http://culturalvistas.org/) in the US.” 

The French firm, which has links to an office in the US, was required to complete several forms and return them to the applicant, along with a description of the work he would be doing.  The applicant then completed his portion of the forms, and returned the complete application to the firm for final validation.

The firm filed the forms with the French immigration authority in early July, along with a 72€ fee, and the applicant received authorization to work a month later.  “This allowed me to apply for my visa at a French consulate in the US,” he says.  “Then I had an interview at the consulate in Atlanta, at the end of August, received my visa one week later, and left for France at the beginning of September.” 

The advantage of this type of visa over a full-blown work visa—at least in France—is that it doesn’t entail much cost or legal procedure on the part of the employer, or the applicant.  On the other hand, one usually qualifies for this type of visa only once, and then only for a fixed, short term.  The steps for obtaining a “young professional” visa in France are here: 
http://www.immigration-
professionnelle.gouv.fr/proc%C3%A9dures/fiche/jeunes-professionnels 

Foreign language ability is always an advantage, of course, but it is not an absolute necessity. Says the graduate in France:  “I now have a BS degree in architecture, and I had studied in France while I was in school, but I didn’t have a very advanced level of French by the time I started working.”  His level of French has naturally advanced on the job. 

In addition to the Cultural Vistas organization, a number of other groups can help explore opportunities abroad: 
http://culturalvistas.org/programs-for-students-and-professionals http://www.iaesteunitedstates.org/intl.html 
http://www.iaesteunitedstates.org/intl.html 

Working outside of the US is not for everyone, but architecture is an increasingly “global” profession, and visa programs of this type offer an effective way for recent graduates and students to engage with the world.