The UK’s Temporary Shortage List, announced on 9 October, highlights 82 occupations that could help overseas professionals qualify for temporary work visas. This new initiative is part of the government’s effort to fill skill gaps in key industries while ensuring a balance between foreign recruitment and domestic workforce development.
What Is the Temporary Shortage List?
The Temporary Shortage List is a new immigration route recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). It allows foreign workers in selected roles to apply for time-limited work and residence permits in the UK. This system is designed to provide flexibility for employers facing immediate staffing shortages, particularly in critical sectors.
Key Sectors and Occupations in Demand
The list includes a wide range of professions across industries such as:
- Construction and Engineering – vital to the UK’s long-term infrastructure plans.
- Information Technology (IT) and Office Administration – supporting digital and operational growth.
- Arts and Creative Fields – including writers, dancers, and musicians, reflecting the UK’s commitment to its cultural industries.
While these roles are prioritized, it’s important to note that care and senior care workers are excluded. These positions are covered under the Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visa routes introduced in July 2025.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
To qualify under the Temporary Shortage List, applicants must meet the minimum English language requirement and hold a relevant occupation code. Employers, meanwhile, are required to demonstrate plans for training and hiring local workers to justify recruiting from overseas.
If your occupation appears on the list and is classified as medium-skilled, you can apply to:
- Switch to this immigration route,
- Extend your permission as a Skilled Worker, or
- Apply for entry clearance to work in the UK.
Salary Requirements
Salaries for these roles are based on a 37.5-hour work week and should be adjusted if your working hours differ. The applicable pay rate depends on when you received your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS):
- Standard Rate – for those who received their first CoS on or after 4 April 2024.
- Lower Rate – for those who received their first CoS before 4 April 2024 and have continuously held a Skilled Worker visa since then.
You may also qualify for salary discounts under certain conditions, such as PhD-level roles or New Entrant rates.
If you’re unsure about your job classification, you can use the CASCOT occupation coding tool to find your correct Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code.
What’s Next?
The final version of the UK’s Temporary Shortage List is expected to be released in July 2026, after further consultation and review by the MAC. This list is likely to play a key role in shaping the UK’s post-Brexit immigration landscape—balancing economic needs with opportunities for global talent.
UK’s 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) |