Registered Foreign Architect (RFA)

refers to an ASEAN Architect (AA) who has successfully applied to and is authorised by the Professional Regulatory Authority (PRA) of a Host Country to work, either in independent practice or in collaboration with one or more licensed Architects of the Host Country, where appropriate, in accordance withthe prevailing Policy on Practice in Host Nations of the UIA Accord.

Eligibility of an ASEAN Architect (AA) to Practise in a Host Country

An ASEAN Architect (AA) shall be eligible to apply to the Professional Regulatory Authority (PRA) of a Host Country to be registered as a Registered Foreign Architect (RFA). The applicant shall submit with his application a sworn undertaking to:

  • be bound by the local and international codes of professional conduct in accordance with the policy on ethics and conduct established and enforced by the Country of Origin;
  • be bound by prevailing laws and regulations of the Host Country; and
  • work, either in independent practice or in collaboration with local licensed Architects in the Host Country, where appropriate subject to domestic laws and regulations of the Host Country governing the practice of architecture thereto.

Upon approval, the successful ASEAN Architect (AA) applicant shall, subject to domestic laws and regulations of the Host Country, where appropriate, be permitted to work as a Registered Foreign Architect (RFA), either independent practice or in collaboration with one or more licensed Architects of the Host Country, where appropriate, within such area of his own competency as may be recognised and approved by the Professional Regulatory Authority (PRA) of the Host Country.

The ASEAN Architect (AA) must register with the Professional Regulatory Authority (PRA) of the Host Country where he intends to practise. The ASEAN Architect must:

  • show evidence of his registration with the Professional Regulatory Authority (PRA) of the Host Country as an ASEAN Architect (AA);
  • identify the architectural practice in the Host Country he intends to collaborate with; and
  • pay the registration fee set by the Professional Regulatory Authority (PRA) of the Host Country, which is not higher than the fee paid by the domestic architects.