Shortage Occupation List UK: What Replaced It in 2026?

The Shortage Occupation List UK was once the main list used to identify jobs where UK employers faced recruitment difficulties. It was replaced by the Immigration Salary List in April 2024, and the current system now also includes the Temporary Shortage List for certain medium-skilled occupations.

Many people still search for the old Shortage Occupation List because it remains the best-known term for UK jobs with adjusted sponsorship and salary rules.

This guide explains what replaced the old list, how the Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List work, and how to check whether your occupation may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa.

Being on one of these lists does not guarantee a visa or a sponsored job. You must still meet the occupation, salary, employer sponsorship and other visa requirements.

Important: This guide provides general information and does not assess individual visa eligibility. Always confirm your occupation code and the latest requirements on GOV.UK before applying.

Last updated: 5 July 2026

How I checked this guide: I compared the current Immigration Salary List, Temporary Shortage List and Skilled Worker guidance on GOV.UK before updating the occupations and rules shown below. Always confirm the official requirements before applying.

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What Is the Shortage Occupation List UK?

The Shortage Occupation List UK was previously used to identify jobs where employers faced particular recruitment shortages. Eligible roles could benefit from different salary rules and lower visa application fees under the Skilled Worker route.

The old list was replaced by the Immigration Salary List in April 2024. The current system has since developed further, with the Temporary Shortage List introduced in July 2025 for certain medium-skilled occupations.

Many applicants and employers still use phrases such as “UK shortage occupation list” or “shortage occupations list UK,” but these are no longer the official names of the current lists.

What Replaced the Shortage Occupation List?

The Skilled Worker system now uses several occupation lists:

Current list	What it covers
Immigration Salary List (ISL)	Selected occupations with adjusted salary rules and a lower Skilled Worker application fee
Temporary Shortage List (TSL)	Selected medium-skilled occupations given temporary access to the Skilled Worker route
Skilled Worker eligible occupations	The wider list of occupations that may qualify for sponsorship
Health and education occupations	Eligible healthcare and education roles with their own going-rate rules

A medium-skilled job normally needs to appear on either the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List to qualify for a new Skilled Worker application. Jobs classed at the higher skill level may qualify through the wider list of eligible Skilled Worker occupations.

Does Being on a Shortage List Guarantee a Visa?

No. Appearing on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List does not guarantee:

• a sponsored job offer;
• a Certificate of Sponsorship;
• that the proposed salary is high enough;
• or that the visa application will be approved.

Applicants must still have an eligible job with a licensed sponsor and meet the relevant occupation-code, salary, English-language and other visa requirements.

Potential Benefits of the Current Lists

Depending on the occupation and circumstances, a listed job may provide:

• access to sponsorship for a medium-skilled occupation;
• an adjusted minimum salary requirement;
• a lower Skilled Worker visa application fee where the job is on the Immigration Salary List.

A job being on one of these lists does not itself provide an Immigration Health Surcharge exemption. That exemption applies to eligible Health and Care Worker visa applicants and their qualifying dependants.

💡 A Quick Note from Kris: The name of the list is less important than finding the correct occupation code. Two jobs with similar titles can have different codes, salary requirements and sponsorship eligibility, so I would always check the actual duties of the role rather than relying only on the job title.

Current Immigration Salary List Jobs

The Immigration Salary List is the closest replacement for the old Shortage Occupation List UK. It includes selected occupations that may benefit from a lower Skilled Worker salary threshold and a reduced visa application fee.

The current list is in force as of July 2026. Most occupations currently have a removal date of 31 December 2026, although care worker and senior care worker entries have separate transitional dates and restrictions.

Immigration Salary List UK 2026

SOC code	Occupation	Where included
1212	Fishing boat masters	Scotland only
1232	Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors	UK-wide
2111	Chemical scientists working in the nuclear industry	Scotland only
2112	Biological scientists	UK-wide
2115	Archaeologists	UK-wide
2142	Graphic and multimedia designers	UK-wide
3111	Laboratory technicians with at least three years’ relevant experience	UK-wide
3212	Pharmaceutical technicians	UK-wide
3411	Artists	UK-wide
3414	Certain skilled ballet and contemporary dancers	UK-wide
3415	Certain skilled orchestral musicians	UK-wide
3416	Arts officers, producers and directors	UK-wide
5119	Certain fishing-industry occupations	UK-wide
5213	High-integrity pipe welders with at least three years’ relevant experience	UK-wide
5235	Boat and ship builders and repairers	Scotland only
5312	Stonemasons and related trades	UK-wide
5313	Bricklayers	UK-wide
5314	Roofers, roof tilers and slaters	UK-wide
5316	Carpenters and joiners	UK-wide
5319	Retrofitters	UK-wide
6129	Certain racing and stud-groom occupations	UK-wide
6131	Nursing auxiliaries and assistants in eligible healthcare settings	UK-wide
6135	Care workers and home carers, subject to strict restrictions	UK-wide
6136	Senior care workers, subject to strict restrictions	UK-wide
9119	Experienced deckhands on eligible large fishing vessels	UK-wide

Some entries only cover a specific type of job within the wider occupation code. Applicants should therefore check the full job description, regional restriction and official wording rather than assuming that every role under the same SOC code qualifies.

Salary Rules for Immigration Salary List Jobs

Being on the Immigration Salary List does not mean that every applicant can be paid the same amount.

A Skilled Worker applicant sponsored for an ISL occupation must generally be paid at least:

£33,400 per year and the applicable going rate for the occupation

The correct salary depends on the occupation code, working hours, visa circumstances and any transitional rules that apply.

For the complete salary table and detailed occupation restrictions, see:

👉 Immigration Salary List UK: Jobs, Salaries and Work Visa Guide

Important Care Worker Restriction

Care workers and senior care workers remain visible in the Immigration Salary List because limited transitional arrangements continue for some people already in the UK.

However, new overseas applications for care worker and senior care worker roles closed on 22 July 2025. Their appearance on the list should not be interpreted as a general route for new applicants applying from outside the UK.

Temporary Shortage List UK

The Temporary Shortage List (TSL) allows selected medium-skilled occupations to qualify for the Skilled Worker visa even though they do not meet the usual higher-skilled occupation requirement.

The list was introduced in July 2025 and is currently time-limited. Under the present rules, the applicant must use a Certificate of Sponsorship assigned before 31 December 2026. The government may extend, change or replace the list following further review.

Examples of Temporary Shortage List Jobs

SOC code	Occupation
1243	Managers in logistics
3112	Electrical and electronics technicians
3113	Engineering technicians
3114	Building and civil engineering technicians
3116	Planning, process and production technicians
3120	CAD, drawing and architectural technicians
3131	IT operations technicians
3132	IT user support technicians
3133	Database administrators and web content technicians
3544	Data analysts
5213	Welding trades
5214	Pipe fitters
5225	Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers
5231	Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians
5241	Electricians and electrical fitters
5315	Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers
5322	Floorers and wall tilers
5323	Painters and decorators
5330	Construction and building trades supervisors
8133	Energy plant operatives

The complete list also includes selected occupations in finance, business administration, design, media, human resources, maritime work and technical services. Applicants should check the full official list because some occupation codes only include specific job types.

Important Restrictions for TSL Jobs

Being on the Temporary Shortage List mainly allows an eligible medium-skilled occupation to access the Skilled Worker route. Unlike the Immigration Salary List, the TSL does not itself provide:

• a reduced visa application fee;
• a special salary discount;
• or an automatic right to bring dependants.

Applicants must still meet the applicable salary and going-rate requirements for their occupation and circumstances.

New applicants sponsored in medium-skilled TSL jobs are generally not permitted to bring a partner or children as Skilled Worker dependants. Transitional exceptions may apply to some people who were already on the route before the restrictions were introduced.

Important: A job title appearing similar to one on the list is not enough. The employer must use the correct SOC code, the role’s duties must genuinely match that code and the employer must hold a valid sponsor licence.

Other Skilled Worker Eligible Occupations

A job does not have to appear on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List to qualify for sponsorship.

Many occupations classed as higher skilled remain eligible through the wider Skilled Worker occupation list. The official table labels occupations as:

• Higher skilled
• Medium skilled
• Ineligible

Higher-skilled occupations can generally qualify for new Skilled Worker applications when the other requirements are met. Medium-skilled occupations normally need to appear on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List, unless a transitional exception applies.

Examples of higher-skilled sectors include:

• engineering and science;
• technology and data;
• finance and accountancy;
• architecture and planning;
• management;
• legal and professional services;
• healthcare;
• education.

Each occupation has its own SOC code and going rate. The salary shown in a job advertisement may therefore need to meet both the general Skilled Worker threshold and the going rate attached to that specific code.

Important: There is no current official “unskilled shortage occupation list.” Most lower-skilled jobs do not qualify for the Skilled Worker route simply because an employer is struggling to recruit.

Healthcare and Education Occupations

Some eligible healthcare and education jobs use separate salary rules based on national pay scales rather than the standard going-rate calculations.

These include certain roles such as:

• doctors;
• nurses;
• pharmacists;
• physiotherapists;
• occupational therapists;
• speech and language therapists;
• clinical psychologists;
• social workers;
• paramedics;
• eligible teachers.

For qualifying healthcare and education occupations, the salary must currently be at least £25,000, or the relevant national-pay-scale going rate if that is higher. Not every healthcare role automatically qualifies for the Health and Care Worker visa, so applicants must check both the occupation code and the visa-specific eligibility rules.

👉 NHS Jobs for Nurses: How to Apply and Get Sponsored

How to Find Your UK Occupation Code

Your occupation code is based on the duties involved in the job, not only the wording of the job title.

To check it:

1. Review the job description and main duties.
2. Search for the closest match using the official occupation-code guidance or CASCOT tool.
3. Enter the four-digit SOC code into the Skilled Worker eligible-occupations table.
4. Check whether it is higher skilled, medium skilled or ineligible.
5. Check whether it appears on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
6. Confirm the going rate and any special conditions attached to that code.

Your employer should include the occupation code on your Certificate of Sponsorship. The visa application also asks for the job title, salary, occupation code and the employer’s sponsor-licence details.

💡 Practical tip: Search using the occupation code rather than only the job title. Employers can use different titles for broadly similar roles, but the code determines the immigration rules and salary requirement.

How to Find a UK Employer That Can Sponsor You

A Skilled Worker applicant must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office. The employer must issue a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, which records information including the job, salary and occupation code.

A practical approach is:

1. Search the official Register of Licensed Sponsors.
2. Confirm that the organisation is licensed for the Skilled Worker route.
3. Visit the employer’s own careers page.
4. Search for vacancies matching your occupation code and experience.
5. Check whether the advertised salary meets the applicable visa threshold.
6. Confirm directly with the employer whether sponsorship is available for that particular vacancy.

The sponsor register contains organisations licensed to sponsor workers and shows their sponsorship route and rating. However, inclusion on the register does not mean an employer is currently recruiting or will sponsor every vacancy.

👉 List of Companies That Sponsor Work Visas in the UK

What to Check Before Applying for a Job

Before submitting an application, compare:

• the actual duties against the SOC code;
• whether the occupation is higher skilled or appears on the ISL or TSL;
• the annual salary;
• the occupation’s going rate;
• the employer’s sponsor status;
• whether dependant restrictions apply;
• and whether the employer clearly states that sponsorship is available.

A job advert saying “visa sponsorship may be available” is not the same as receiving a Certificate of Sponsorship.

How the Skilled Worker Application Process Works

The usual sequence is:

1. Find an eligible job with a licensed sponsor.
2. Confirm the occupation code and salary requirements.
3. Receive a formal job offer.
4. Have the employer assign a Certificate of Sponsorship.
5. Submit the Skilled Worker visa application online.
6. Pay the relevant visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
7. Provide supporting documents and prove your identity.

Applicants must have a confirmed sponsored job offer before applying for the Skilled Worker visa.

What If You Do Not Have a Sponsored Job Offer?

The Skilled Worker visa cannot normally be obtained without a sponsored job offer. However, depending on nationality, age, qualifications or family circumstances, another immigration route may allow someone to move to the UK without employer sponsorship.

👉 How to Move to the UK Without a Job: Visa Routes Explained

UK Work Visas with Job Sponsorship

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UK Work Visas without Job Offer

Can a Job on the Shortage Occupation List Lead to Settlement?

A job on the former Shortage Occupation List—or its current replacements—does not automatically provide permanent residency. However, time spent in the UK on a qualifying Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa can normally count towards settlement.

Skilled Worker visa holders may usually apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years, provided they meet the relevant continuous-residence, salary, sponsorship, English-language and other settlement requirements at the time of application. The Skilled Worker route is officially classed as a route to settlement.

The usual journey is:

1. Obtain an eligible sponsored job and Skilled Worker visa.
2. Maintain qualifying immigration permission and continuous residence.
3. Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain when eligible.
4. Consider British citizenship after holding ILR for the required period.

Most people must hold ILR for 12 months before applying for British citizenship. Someone married to a British citizen may not need to wait that additional 12 months, although all other citizenship requirements still apply.

Important: Appearing on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List does not guarantee settlement. The occupation must remain eligible, the applicant must continue meeting the visa conditions and the relevant settlement rules must be satisfied.

Can Family Members Come to the UK?

Partners and children may be able to apply as Skilled Worker dependants, but important restrictions apply.

New applicants sponsored in medium-skilled jobs on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List are generally not permitted to bring dependants.

Transitional exceptions can apply where the main visa holder already held qualifying Skilled Worker permission before 22 July 2025. Higher-skilled Skilled Worker applicants can generally bring eligible partners and children where the dependant requirements are met.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

📘 What is the Shortage Occupation List UK in 2026?

The Shortage Occupation List UK is no longer the official name of a current immigration list. It was replaced by the Immigration Salary List in April 2024.

The current system also includes the Temporary Shortage List, which allows selected medium-skilled occupations temporary access to the Skilled Worker route.

🔁 What is the difference between the ISL and TSL?

The Immigration Salary List includes selected occupations that may benefit from a lower general salary threshold and a reduced Skilled Worker application fee.

The Temporary Shortage List allows selected medium-skilled occupations to qualify for sponsorship, but it does not itself provide a salary discount or reduced visa fee.

💼 Does being on a shortage list guarantee sponsorship?

No. Appearing on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List does not guarantee a job offer, Certificate of Sponsorship or successful visa application.

You still need an eligible job with a licensed sponsor and must meet the relevant salary, occupation-code, English-language and visa requirements.

💷 What salary is required for a Skilled Worker visa?

Most new Skilled Worker applicants must normally be paid at least £41,700 per year or the going rate for their occupation, whichever is higher.

For a job on the Immigration Salary List, the general minimum can be £33,400, but the applicant must still meet the full going rate for the occupation. Other salary rules can apply to new entrants, certain health and education roles and some existing visa holders.

🧾 What is a SOC code?

A Standard Occupational Classification code identifies the type of work involved in a job. It helps determine:

• whether the job is eligible for sponsorship;
• whether it is classed as higher or medium skilled;
• whether it appears on the ISL or TSL;
• and the relevant going salary rate.

The code should match the actual duties of the role, not merely a similar-sounding job title.

🧠 What if my job is not on the ISL or TSL?

A higher-skilled occupation may still qualify through the wider list of Skilled Worker eligible occupations.

A medium-skilled occupation normally needs to appear on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List for a new application, unless a transitional exception applies. Lower-skilled jobs do not automatically qualify simply because employers are experiencing recruitment difficulties.

👨‍👩‍👧 Can workers in shortage occupations bring dependants?

It depends on the occupation and the worker’s immigration history.

Higher-skilled Skilled Worker applicants can generally bring eligible partners and children. New applicants sponsored in medium-skilled jobs are generally restricted from bringing dependants, although transitional exceptions can apply to people continuously employed on the route since before 22 July 2025.

🏠 Can a shortage-list job lead to settlement?

Time spent on a qualifying Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa can normally count towards the five-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain.

However, appearing on the ISL or TSL does not guarantee settlement. The applicant must continue meeting the relevant residence, employment, salary and immigration requirements.

🔎 How can I check whether an employer offers sponsorship?

Check the organisation against the official Register of Licensed Sponsors, then review its careers website and the wording of the individual vacancy.

Being on the sponsor register means an organisation has permission to sponsor workers. It does not mean it is currently recruiting or will provide sponsorship for every job.

What to Do Next

The old Shortage Occupation List has changed, but the practical process remains similar: identify the correct occupation code, check the current salary rules and find an employer licensed to sponsor workers.

Your next steps are:

1. Confirm the SOC code that matches the job’s actual duties.
2. Check whether it is higher skilled or appears on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
3. Compare the offered salary with the required threshold and going rate.
4. Confirm that the employer holds a valid sponsor licence.
5. Check whether sponsorship is available for the specific vacancy.

Start with these guides:

👉 Immigration Salary List UK
👉 List of Companies That Sponsor Work Visas in the UK
👉 Skilled Worker Visa
👉 First 90 Days in the UK

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