As part of its latest immigration reforms, the UK government has introduced the Temporary Shortage List—a targeted replacement for the previous Immigration Salary List.
This new strategic update focuses on addressing labor shortages in medium-skilled occupations, particularly those classified below RQF level 6, which includes roles that do not require a university degree.
Why new Shortage Occupations List in the UK
Unlike the broader framework of its predecessor, the UK’s Temporary Shortage List sets stricter criteria and introduces a time-limited window for visa eligibility.
Only those occupations included on this list are now eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route if they fall below RQF level 6. No doubt this shift makes the list an essential tool for both UK employers and overseas applicants seeking to navigate the immigration process effectively.
Furthermore, the policy update follows the May 2025 Immigration White Paper and came into sharper focus with announcements made on July 1. These reforms have officially come into effect on July 22, 2025.
Who can apply a UK Visa through this list?
Applicants whose roles appear on the list may be eligible to apply when switching to the Skilled Worker route, applying for entry clearance (first time work visa), or extending their current Skilled Worker permission. Salary thresholds are based on a 37.5-hour workweek and must be adjusted if working hours differ, in line with employer contracts.
Standard and Lower Rate Definitaions
Applicants are advised to verify their job classification using the official CASCOT occupation coding tool. Salary expectations also differ based on visa history:
- Standard rate: Applies to workers issued a certificate of sponsorship after April 4, 2024.
- Lower rate: Available to those who received their first Skilled Worker visa before April 4, 2024, and have maintained continuous sponsorship since.
Additionally, salary discounts may be available through PhD-level roles or the New Entrant rate, depending on the applicant’s qualifications and circumstances.
As the UK’s Temporary Shortage List becomes the new benchmark for visa eligibility in medium-skilled sectors, both employers and international professionals should stay informed to take advantage of evolving opportunities.
Temporary Shortage List
| Occupation code | Job types included on the temporary shortage list | *Standard rate | *Lower rate |
| 1243 | Managers in logistics | £44,900 (£23.03 per hour) | £37,300 (£19.13 per hour) |
| 1258 | Directors in consultancy services | £70,100 (£35.95 per hour) | £44,600 (£22.87 per hour) |
| 3111 | Laboratory technicians | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 3112 | Electrical and electronics technicians | £39,300 (£20.15 per hour) | £30,800 (£15.79 per hour) |
| 3113 | Engineering technicians | £42,500 (£21.79 per hour) | £34,700 (£17.79 per hour) |
| 3114 | Building and civil engineering technicians | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,900 (£14.31 per hour) |
| 3115 | Quality assurance technicians | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,500 (£13.59 per hour) |
| 3116 | Planning, process and production technicians | £34,800 (£17.85 per hour) | £28,700 (£14.72 per hour) |
| 3120 | CAD, drawing and architectural technicians | £33,800 (£17.33 per hour) | £28,700 (£14.72 per hour) |
| 3131 | IT operations technicians | £35,200 (£18.05 per hour) | £27,700 (£14.21 per hour) |
| 3132 | IT user support technicians | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,700 (£14.21 per hour) |
| 3133 | Database administrators and web content technicians | £34,600 (£17.74 per hour) | £29,200 (£14.97 per hour) |
| 3412 | Authors, writers and translators | £36,100 (£18.51 per hour) | £29,800 (£15.28 per hour) |
| 3414 | Dancers and choreographers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £28,500 (£14.62 per hour) |
| 3417 | Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,400 (£13.03 per hour) |
| 3422 | Clothing, fashion and accessories designers | £36,500 (£18.72 per hour) | £29,100 (£14.92 per hour) |
| 3429 | Design occupations not elsewhere classified – only the following job types: – Industrial and product designers – Packaging designers – Performance make-up artists – Set designers – Visual merchandising managers and designers | £39,300 (£20.15 per hour) | £29,800 (£15.28 per hour) |
| 3512 | Ship and hovercraft officers | £58,300 (£29.90 per hour) | £39,100 (£20.05 per hour) |
| 3520 | Legal associate professionals | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,400 (£13.54 per hour) |
| 3532 | Insurance underwriters | £36,500 (£18.72 per hour) | £29,800 (£15.28 per hour) |
| 3533 | Financial and accounting technicians | £48,700 (£24.97 per hour) | £32,900 (£16.87 per hour) |
| 3541 | Estimators, valuers and assessors | £35,300 (£18.10 per hour) | £28,600 (£14.67 per hour) |
| 3544 | Data analysts | £34,900 (£17.90 per hour) | £28,600 (£14.67 per hour) |
| 3549 | Business associate professionals not elsewhere classified – only the following job types: – Business support officers – Business systems analysts – Contract administrators – Clinical coders – Clinical trials administrators – Research coordinators | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,500 (£13.08 per hour) |
| 3552 | Business sales executives | £36,700 (£18.82 per hour) | £29,300 (£15.03 per hour) |
| 3554 | Advertising and marketing associate professionals | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,300 (£13.49 per hour) |
| 3571 | Human resources and industrial relations officers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,100 (£13.90 per hour) |
| 3573 | Information technology trainers | £40,000 (£20.51 per hour) | £32,100 (£16.46 per hour) |
| 4121 | Credit controllers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 4122 | Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,400 (£13.03 per hour) |
| 4129 | Financial administrative occupations not elsewhere classified – only the following job types: – Box office assistants – Grants officers – Mortgage administrators – Revenue assistants (excludes National and Local government revenue occupations) – Treasury assistants | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 4132 | Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5213 | Welding trades | £34,900 (£17.90 per hour) | £29,500 (£15.13 per hour) |
| 5214 | Pipe fitters | £46,000 (£23.59 per hour) | £40,400 (£20.72 per hour) |
| 5223 | Metal working production and maintenance fitters | £39,300 (£20.15 per hour) | £29,900 (£15.33 per hour) |
| 5225 | Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers | £41,100 (£21.08 per hour) | £35,500 (£18.21 per hour) |
| 5231 | Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians | £35,500 (£18.21 per hour) | £27,900 (£14.31 per hour) |
| 5232 | Vehicle body builders and repairers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,600 (£14.15 per hour) |
| 5233 | Vehicle paint technicians | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £29,600 (£15.18 per hour) |
| 5235 | Boat and ship builders and repairers | £33,700 (£17.28 per hour) | £29,600 (£15.18 per hour) |
| 5241 | Electricians and electrical fitters | £38,800 (£19.90 per hour) | £31,500 (£16.15 per hour) |
| 5242 | Telecoms and related network installers and repairers | £36,700 (£18.82 per hour) | £31,700 (£16.26 per hour) |
| 5244 | Computer system and equipment installers and servicers | £35,100 (£18.00 per hour) | £26,700 (£13.69 per hour) |
| 5245 | Security system installers and repairers | £36,300 (£18.62 per hour) | £28,800 (£14.77 per hour) |
| 5249 | Electrical and electronic trades not elsewhere classified | £45,800 (£23.49 per hour) | £35,600 (£18.26 per hour) |
| 5311 | Steel erectors | £35,000 (£17.95 per hour) | £29,500 (£15.13 per hour) |
| 5315 | Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers | £38,100 (£19.54 per hour) | £31,400 (£16.10 per hour) |
| 5319 | Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only the following job types: – Builders – Divers – Fence erectors – Industrial climbers – Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operators – Steel fixers and underpinners | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,300 (£14.00 per hour) |
| 5322 | Floorers and wall tilers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,400 (£13.03 per hour) |
| 5323 | Painters and decorators | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,800 (£14.26 per hour) |
| 5330 | Construction and building trades supervisors | £41,800 (£21.44 per hour) | £34,600 (£17.74 per hour) |
| 8133 | Energy plant operatives | £41,500 (£21.28 per hour) | £30,100 (£15.44 per hour) |