Demand for Skilled Workers in the UK 2024 – Skilled Occupations List

The UK government has announced upcoming additions of multiple occupations to the Shortage Occupations List. These changes are expected to be introduced before the end of 2023 and will include occupations from the construction and fishing sectors. You will apply through the Skilled Worker visa.

Separately, the Skilled Worker Occupations List contains more job roles which are eligible for the Skilled Worker visa. These occupations are less in demand but employers can still sponsor you to come and live and work in the UK.

The Healthcare and Education Shortage Occupations List is specifically for jobs in the healthcare and education sectors and may require a sperate visa depending on the job role such as the Health and Care Worker visa.

UPDATE – The Immigration Salary List (ISL) replaced the Shortage Occupation List in April 2024.

Shortage Occupations List (SOL)

Jobs on the Shortage Occupations List are more desirable and UK immigration requitements are relaxed to make it easier for skilled workers to work in the UK. Overseas workers only require a salary of 80% of the “Going Rate” making it more financially viable to hire from abroad.

Bricklayers, plasterers and other construction jobs will be added to the Shortage Occupations List in 2023. These jobs will assist with the number of infrastructure and construction project across the United Kingdom.

Code	Job Role	Country	Annual salary (80% of going rate)
1181	Health services and public health managers and directors – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £33,040
1242	Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £22,640
2111	Chemical scientists – only jobs in the nuclear industry	Scotland only	80% of going rate: £22,800
2112	Biological scientists and biochemists – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £24,480
2113	Physical scientists – only the following jobs in the construction-related ground engineering industry: engineering geologist hydrogeologist geophysicist	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £26,080
2113	Physical scientists – only the following jobs in the oil and gas industry: geophysicist geoscientist geologist geochemist technical services manager in the decommissioning and waste areas of the nuclear industry senior resource geologist and staff geologist in the mining sector	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £26,080
2114	Social and humanities scientists – only archaeologists	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £20,480
2121	Civil engineers – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £27,760
2122	Mechanical engineers – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £26,400
2123	Electrical engineers – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £31,440
2124	Electronics engineers – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £27,120
2126	Design and development engineers – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £27,280
2127	Production and process engineers – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £25,600
2129	Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £26,720
2135	IT business analysts, architects and systems designers – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £30,080
2136	Programmers and software development professionals – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £27,200
2137	Web design and development professionals – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £21,440
2139	Information technology and communications professionals not elsewhere classified – only cyber security specialists	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £25,680
2216	Veterinarians – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £26,960
2425	Actuaries, economists and statisticians – only bio-informaticians and informaticians	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £26,880
2431	Architects – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £26,320
2461	Quality control and planning engineers – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £25,280
3111	Laboratory technicians – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £15,120
3411	Artists – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £16,400
3414	Dancers and choreographers – only skilled classical ballet dancers or skilled contemporary dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK ballet or contemporary dance companies. The company must be endorsed as being internationally recognised by a UK industry body such as the Arts Councils (of England, Scotland or Wales).	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £16,960
3415	Musicians – only skilled orchestral musicians who are leaders, principals, sub-principals or numbered string positions, and who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK orchestras. The orchestra must a full member of the Association of British Orchestras.	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £24,960
3416	Arts officers, producers and directors – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £23,360
3421	Graphic designers – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £18,400
5215	Welding trades – only high integrity pipe welders, where the job requires 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through illegal working.	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £18,480
6145	Care workers and home carers – private households or individuals (other than sole traders sponsoring someone to work for their business) cannot sponsor Skilled Worker applicants	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	No going rate – the salary must be at least £20,960 per year
6146	Senior care workers – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	80% of going rate: £14,880

Skilled Worker Occupations List

There are more jobs listed on the Skilled Worker Occupations List than any other and covers a wide variety of sectors. Occupations for the most part need to reach the “Going Rate”, but there are exceptions that allow pay between 70-90%. There are 225 occupations currently on this list, you can find the list here.

Exceptions for the Going Rate

• Occupation is also on the Shortage Occupations List
• Under 26 and studying or a recent graduate
• You have achieved a STEM PHD level qualification (Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics)
• You have a postdoctoral position in higher education or science

Healthcare and Education Occupations List

Doctors, nurses, social workers and teaching professionals will find their code through the Healthcare and Education Occupations List. The Health and Care worker visa is currently the most popular way to immigrate to the UK, 101,570 applicants moved here year ending March 2023.

Code	Job Role	Country
2211	Medical practitioners – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
2212	Psychologists – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
2213	Pharmacists – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
2217	Medical radiographers – all jobs (including radiotherapy practitioners / technologists)	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
2219	Health professionals not elsewhere classified – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
2221	Physiotherapists – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
2222	Occupational therapists – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
2223	Speech and language therapists – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
2231	Nurses – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
2314	Secondary education teaching professionals – only teachers in maths, physics, science (where an element of physics will be taught), computer science and modern foreign languages	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
2314	Secondary education teaching professionals – only teachers in Gaelic	Scotland only
2315	Primary and nursery education teaching professionals – only Gaelic medium teachers	Scotland only
2442	Social workers – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
3213	Paramedics – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
6141	Nursing auxiliaries and assistants – all jobs	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

Work Visas that must be on a Occupations List UK

Eligibility Requirements for UK Skilled Work

Eligibility varies depending on your circumstances and the type of visa, but there are some general rules. You will have to be on one of the occupations lists linked to that visa, for example to apply for the Scale-Up visa it must on the Scale-Up Occupations List.

You must work for an employer that has been approved for a sponsor license.

Salary must meet a minimum threshold for that job role.

Pass an English language test.

How to Apply for Skilled Work in the UK?

Once you know you are eligible and have a good chance of obtaining your chosen visa, it is time to gather your documents. Documentation varies depending on your circumstances and the type of visa, but like there are some general rules.

Acquire a valid certificate of sponsorship related to the role from your employer.

Proof that you have passed an English language test from IELTS. You will be required to achieve at least 7.0 overall and in each category, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

You will need to have a valid passport and a bank statement showing sufficient funds.

Criminal Record Certificate

If you are applying for certain jobs mostly in the public sector such as healthcare, welfare and education sectors. You will need to provide a criminal record certificate for any country in which, since the age of 18, you have been present for 12 months or more in the 10 years before the date of your application.

Identity

For most applicants you must prove your identity by booking an appointment at a Visa Application Centre in your current country. The appointment will include collecting your fingerprints, facial photograph and signature. The UK government website has a list of addresses for each eligible country.

Once you have sorted out the above, you can get then apply through the government website to get started.

What is the Current Visa Processing Time?

This will differ by visa, but after you have submitted your online application, proved your identity and provided the relevant documents, 90% of applicants are processed within 3 weeks.

What will it cost?

Application fees will be different depending on your length of stay, type of visa and how many dependants you will bring. For the work visas that require a job role on the occupations list, the cost will range from £247 – £1423 from 1-5 years of stay.

Healthcare

You and your dependants are exempt from paying for Healthcare on the Health and Care Worker visa.

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) entitles you to use the NHS if you become unwell or have an accident while in the UK.

You have to pay the IHS even if you do not use the NHS or even if you have your own private health insurance, the cost is £1,035 per year.

If you are applying for a 2-year visa you will have to pay £1,035 each year, therefore you will have to pay a total of £2,070.

Sufficient Funds

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK, a bank statement will suffice.

The financial requirement is that you show you have enough money for your living costs for yourself and dependants while you move to the UK.

You do not need to show funds it you have been living in the UK for 12 months or more with permission on the date of application.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

📘 What is the Shortage Occupation List UK?
The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) highlights jobs that are in high demand across the UK. These are roles where employers struggle to find enough qualified workers locally, so they are allowed to hire from overseas more easily.

🔁 What is the Immigration Salary List (ISL)?
In April 2024, the Shortage Occupation List was replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL). It serves the same purpose but now focuses on salary levels rather than job titles alone.

💼 Why is being on the list important?
If your job is on the list, it’s usually easier to get sponsored by a UK employer for a work visa. You may also qualify for lower salary thresholds and reduced visa fees.

🏗️ Which types of jobs are included?
The list covers a wide range of industries, such as construction, engineering, healthcare, education, and IT. Recent updates have added more roles in building trades and fishing, reflecting where the UK currently needs more workers.

💷 What salary do I need to qualify?
Each role has a set minimum salary known as the “going rate.” If your job is on the ISL, you may qualify with 80% of the normal rate, depending on your role and visa type.

🏥 Do I have to pay for healthcare in the UK?
If you move to the UK on most work visas, you’ll pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which allows you to use the NHS during your stay. Some routes, such as the Health and Care Worker visa, are exempt from this fee.

🧾 What is a SOC code and why do I need it?
Every eligible job has a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code that identifies your role. You’ll need this code when applying for a visa or when your employer issues your Certificate of Sponsorship.

🌍 Can I apply for a job from outside the UK?
Yes! Many UK employers are licensed to sponsor overseas workers. You can apply directly from your home country once you meet the visa and job requirements.

🏢 How do I find a company that offers sponsorship?
The UK government keeps an official list of approved employers. You can search this list on the UK government website or look for job adverts that mention “visa sponsorship available.”

🧑‍⚕️ What are the main types of work visas for skilled workers?
The most common routes include:

• Skilled Worker Visa – for most full-time skilled jobs.
• Health and Care Worker Visa – for medical and care sector roles.
• Scale-Up Visa – for jobs with fast-growing UK companies.

📅 How long does it take to get a work visa?
After submitting your application and documents, most UK work visas are processed within 3 to 8 weeks, depending on where you apply from.

👨‍👩‍👧 Can I bring my family to the UK?
In most cases, yes. Your partner and children can apply as dependants, provided you can support them financially. Some care roles have separate rules, so always check before applying.

🏠 Can working in a shortage occupation lead to permanent residency?
Yes. If you work in the UK for five years on an eligible visa, you can usually apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). After that, you may qualify for British citizenship if you continue to meet all requirements.

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