The RICS is lobbying the government over proposals to relax work permit rules for QSs from abroad.

Last month it called for an overhaul of the rules.

This week a RICS spokesperson confirmed that the institution has submitted its case to Work Permits UK.

She said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e had a great response from the industry and now everything is in the pipeline and our case has been put forward. We are now just waiting for a response.鈥�

So far, the RICS has secured backing from a number of QS firms including Gardiner & Theobald, EC Harris, Cyril Sweett, Franklin + Andrews, Turner & Townsend, Faithful + Gould, Gleeds, Halstead Associates and AYH.

Senior QSs have lent their support to the campaign saying that the rules make it difficult for companies to employ foreign QSs. At present they must prove, through a rigorous demonstration, that there is no way they can fill the post without turning to foreign professionals.