Hiring and Sponsoring Interior designers (SOC Code 3421)

Interior Designers, classified under SOC Code 3421, are creative professionals who specialize in enhancing the functionality and aesthetics of interior spaces. Their role is pivotal in both residential and commercial settings, where they translate clients' visions into tangible designs. Key responsibilities include:

• Client Liaison: Engages with clients to determine the purpose, cost, and scope of the project, whether it involves an entire building or specific areas such as kitchens or bathrooms.
• Design Preparation: Creates designs that meet client needs and produces sketches for client review.
• Material Consultation: Advises on colors, finishes, and materials to enhance the overall design concept.
• Cost Estimation: Establishes estimated costs, specifies materials, and provides detailed drawings of the agreed design.
• Sourcing Materials: Sources fixtures, furniture, and other necessary materials to bring the design to life.
• Project Oversight: Hires staff, coordinates teams, and oversees project progress to ensure alignment with the design vision.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures adherence to building and safety regulations throughout the project.

With the demand for innovative interior environments steadily rising in the UK, many organizations are seeking skilled interior designers, including international talent. This guide will assist HR professionals in navigating the hiring and sponsorship process for interior designers under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Interior designers?

SOC Code 3421 refers to interior designers who create functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces within various environments. Their responsibilities can include:

• Client Consultation: Liaising with clients to determine the purpose, cost, and scope of the design project, whether for an entire building or specific rooms like kitchens or bathrooms.
• Design Preparation: Preparing designs that meet client needs and creating detailed sketches for client review and consideration.
• Material and Color Advising: Providing expert advice on colors, materials, and finishes to enhance the overall design.
• Cost Estimation and Specification: Establishing estimated costs, specifying materials, and providing comprehensive drawings of the agreed design.
• Sourcing Materials: Identifying and sourcing fixtures, furniture, and other necessary materials to bring the design vision to life.
• Project Oversight: Hiring staff as needed and overseeing project progress to ensure timely and accurate execution.
• Compliance Assurance: Ensuring that all designs adhere to building codes and safety regulations throughout the project.

Interior designers play a vital role in transforming spaces, enhancing the quality of life for their clients, and contributing to the overall function and aesthetics of the built environment.

Eligibility to Hire Interior designers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Interior designers seeking opportunities must demonstrate their design capabilities and meet certain qualifications or experience criteria. These may include:

• Client Liaison Experience: Proven ability to communicate effectively with clients to understand their vision, purpose, cost, and project scope.
• Design Portfolio: A collection of design projects showcasing creativity, originality, and versatility in different spaces, such as residential, commercial, or specialized environments.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in design software (e.g., AutoCAD, SketchUp), as well as hand-drawing skills for sketching preliminary designs.
• Project Management Experience: Experience in overseeing projects from conception to completion, including hiring staff and ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets.
• Knowledge of Regulations: Familiarity with building codes, safety regulations, and environmental considerations relevant to interior design.
• Educational Background: A degree in interior design, architecture, or a related field is highly desirable. Certifications such as NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) can be advantageous.

Ensure that the job description aligns with SOC Code 3421 and that the interior designer’s experience and qualifications meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Interior designers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Interior designers under SOC Code 3421.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Interior designers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Interior designers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Interior designers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Interior designers applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Interior designers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Interior designers can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Interior designers

Before the Interior designers begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Interior designers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Interior designers holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Interior designers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Interior designers’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Interior designerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Interior designers

Sponsoring Interior designers under SOC Code 3421 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Interior designers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Interior designers under SOC Code 3421 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.