The Temporary Shortage List (TSL) provides time-limited access to the Skilled Worker route for certain occupations requiring skill level RQF Level 3–5 where there is clear evidence of persistent labour shortages.
The TSL was introduced under wider visa sponsorship reforms announced in the Government’s May 2025 Immigration White Paper. A temporary version of the TSL will sit alongside the Immigration Salary List, until 31 December 2026. The permanent TSL will follow the MAC review in 2026.
Section A: What is the Temporary Shortage List?
The Temporary Shortage List (TSL) is a time‑limited appendix to the Skilled Worker route that took effect on 22 July 2025. As a list of sponsorship-eligible medium‑skill jobs, it works alongside the Immigration Salary List (ISL), which covers higher‑skill roles.
Under Statement of Changes HC 997 (1 July 2025), the TSL gives sub‑degree occupations (RQF 3–5) such as laboratory technicians and logistics managers, a narrow, conditional route back into sponsorship after the general skill threshold rose to RQF 6. Ministers describe it as a “bridging mechanism” that lets employers recruit for genuinely critical vacancies while domestic training pipelines are put in place.
Both lists will coexist until they are due to expire on 31 December 2026, or sooner at Home Office discretion, or are replaced following the formal Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) review; the Stage 1 report is expected in January 2026 and Stage 2 occupation recommendations in mid-2026.
Key features of the TSL include:
Targeted occupations
The TSL focuses on sub-degree roles judged critical to the UK’s industrial strategy or infrastructure e.g. certain construction, logistics and technician jobs.
Time-limited inclusion
TSL roles each carry an expiry date. Sponsorship beyond that date will not be possible unless the MAC recommends an extension.
Conditional access
A role will stay on (or be added to) the permanent TSL only if its sector has a credible workforce strategy that shows active domestic recruitment, training and fair-work safeguards.
Restrictions on dependants
Workers sponsored via the ISL or TSL in an RQF 3-5 occupation cannot bring new family members to the UK.
Removal for non-compliance
The Home Office can delist an occupation early if evidence of exploitation or non-compliance emerges.
Section B: Temporary Shortage List 2025
The roles eligible under the Temporary Storage List from 22 July 2025 are specified in Appendix Skilled Worker:
| SOC 2020 Code | Occupation (interim Temporary Shortage List) |
|---|---|
| 1243 | Managers in logistics |
| 1258 | Directors in consultancy services |
| 3111 | Laboratory technicians |
| 3112 | Electrical and electronics technicians |
| 3113 | Engineering technicians |
| 3114 | Building and civil engineering technicians |
| 3115 | Quality assurance 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 |
| 3412 | Authors, writers and translators |
| 3414 | Dancers and choreographers |
| 3417 | Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting-equipment operators |
| 3422 | Clothing, fashion and accessories designers |
| 3429 | Design occupations not elsewhere classified – only industrial & product designers, packaging designers, performance make-up artists, set designers, and visual-merchandising managers/designers |
| 3512 | Ship and hovercraft officers |
| 3520 | Legal associate professionals |
| 3532 | Insurance underwriters |
| 3533 | Financial and accounting technicians |
| 3541 | Estimators, valuers and assessors |
| 3544 | Data analysts |
| 3549 | Business associate professionals not elsewhere classified – only business support officers, business-systems analysts, contract administrators, clinical coders, clinical-trials administrators and research coordinators |
| 3552 | Business sales executives |
| 3554 | Advertising and marketing associate professionals |
| 3571 | Human-resources and industrial-relations officers |
| 3573 | Information-technology trainers |
| 4121 | Credit controllers |
| 4122 | Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks |
| 4129 | Financial-administrative occupations not elsewhere classified – only box-office assistants, grants officers, mortgage administrators, revenue assistants (excluding national & local-government roles) and treasury assistants |
| 4132 | Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants |
| 5213 | Welding trades |
| 5214 | Pipe fitters |
| 5223 | Metal-working production and maintenance fitters |
| 5225 | Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers |
| 5231 | Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians |
| 5232 | Vehicle body builders and repairers |
| 5233 | Vehicle paint technicians |
| 5235 | Boat and ship builders and repairers |
| 5241 | Electricians and electrical fitters |
| 5242 | Telecoms and related network installers and repairers |
| 5244 | Computer-system and equipment installers and servicers |
| 5245 | Security-system installers and repairers |
| 5249 | Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c. |
| 5311 | Steel erectors |
| 5315 | Plumbers and heating & ventilating installers/repairers |
| 5319 | Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only builders, divers, fence erectors, industrial climbers, ROV operators, and steel fixers/underpinners |
| 5322 | Floorers and wall tilers |
| 5323 | Painters and decorators |
| 5330 | Construction and building trades supervisors |
| 8133 | Energy plant operatives |
The Rules also show an expiry footnote. Every TSL (and ISL) entry is scheduled to lapse on 31 December 2026, although the Home Office can remove an occupation sooner if compliance problems arise.
Section C: How does the TSL work?
Under the provisions of the Statement of Changes HC 997, the Temporary Shortage List operates as an interim tool from 22 July 2025. The form of any permanent TSL is expected to follow the recommendations of the MAC review, due in 2026.
From 22 July 2025, the TSL applies only to occupations at RQF Level 3–5 that are designated in Appendix Skilled Worker. All new Skilled Worker sponsorship for sub-degree roles must be drawn from those tables.
TSL jobs are strictly time-limited. Every interim entry, and any new listing recommended by the MAC, is set to expire for sponsorship on 31 December 2026, though the Home Office may remove an occupation sooner “if compliance issues present”.
The MAC is expected to report in two stages during 2026, including a list of recommended occupations, after which the Home Office will decide which roles remain on a permanent TSL beyond 2026.
Section D: Sponsoring roles under the Temporary Shortage List
Employers will need to follow certain steps to sponsor a worker for a TSL role, as outlined in the “Sponsor a Skilled Worker” document (Sections 3–5).
1. Hold a Valid Sponsor Licence
Employers must have a Skilled Worker sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. If not, they must apply for one, demonstrating compliance with immigration rules.
The licence requires the sponsor to maintain records, report changes and ensure ongoing compliance to avoid suspension or revocation.
2. Identify the SOC Code
Confirm the role is on the TSL by checking Appendix Skilled Worker (Tables 1A, 2A, 3A) or Appendix Immigration Salary List for the specific SOC 2020 code (e.g., IT support technicians, logistics managers).
Use the Sponsor Management System (SMS) or the ONS CASCOT tool to match the role’s primary duties to the correct SOC code, ensuring accuracy to avoid compliance issues.
3. Meet Salary Requirements
Ensure the salary meets £23,200 and 100% of the going rate for the SOC code, as listed in Table 2A of Appendix Skilled Occupations.
For part-time roles, pro-rate the going rate based on the occupation’s standard full-time hours (e.g., 37.5 hours/week). For example, for a TSL role with a going rate of £30,000 (37.5 hours/week), a 20-hour/week contract requires £30,000 × (20 ÷ 37.5) ≈ £16,000, but must meet £23,200 (higher).
Only guaranteed gross basic pay counts.
4. Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Issue a defined CoS for TSL roles through the SMS, specifying the SOC code, salary and job details. Include evidence of the TSL listing and salary compliance in the CoS.
The CoS must be issued before 31 December 2026, or earlier if the role is removed from the TSL.
5. Ensure Compliance with Other Requirements
Verify the worker meets the 70-point requirement for the Skilled Worker visa, including:
- 50 points for mandatory criteria: valid CoS (20 points), job at appropriate skill level (20 points), English language proficiency (10 points).
- 20 points for salary (met via TSL requirements, Option D, Table 2A).
Confirm the role is genuine and meets UK employment laws.
Pay the Immigration Skills Charge, unless exempt, e.g., for student route switchers.
6. Submit the Visa Application
The worker applies for the Skilled Worker visa using the CoS, providing evidence of English proficiency, maintenance funds and other requirements.
The application must be submitted before the CoS expires, which is three months from issuance, and by 31 December 2026, for TSL role.
7. Maintain Records for Compliance
Retain records of the SOC code selection, salary calculations, CoS and the dated version of the TSL/Appendix Skilled Occupations used, as these may be subject to Home Office audits.
Also monitor MAC updates, as roles may be delisted early, impacting ongoing or future sponsorship.
Section E: Need assistance?
The Temporary Shortage List has reshaped sub-degree visa sponsorship. From 22 July 2025, a role at RQF 3–5 may be sponsored only if its SOC code appears in Tables 1A, 2A or 3A of Appendix Skilled Occupations and is marked on either the Immigration Salary List (ISL) or the interim TSL. All other sub-degree jobs are now ineligible for new hires.
Each listed occupation must be paid at least £23,200 a year and 100% of its going rate, a figure that is deemed to satisfy the £17.13-per-hour rule, and the pre-July percentage salary discounts (70 / 80 / 90 per cent) are no longer available.
Workers sponsored in any ISL- or TSL-listed RQF 3–5 role cannot bring new dependants, and each listed role is due to lapse on 31 December 2026, although the Home Office can remove an occupation sooner for compliance reasons or extend it if the MAC recommends as such.
Continuing access beyond 2026 will depend on the MAC endorsing a credible, industry-wide workforce strategy that demonstrates sustained UK recruitment and training. Sponsors should therefore start documenting domestic hiring efforts, apprenticeship schemes, pay benchmarks and worker-protection measures.
Given the fast-moving landscape, employers should monitor MAC announcements closely, audit all sponsored salaries and job descriptions against the post-22 July thresholds and develop contingency talent plans in case a listed occupation is delisted at short notice.
For advice on how to use the Temporary Shortage List, or any aspect of the UK work visa sponsorship regime, contact us.
Section F: Temporary Shortage List FAQs
What is the Temporary Shortage List?
The TSL is a Home Office list, introduced from 22 July 2025, that gives time-limited access to the Skilled Worker route for specific RQF 3–5 occupations.
How does the TSL differ from the Immigration Salary List?
Both lists currently run in parallel, but the TSL is restricted to sub-degree roles, offers no percentage salary discounts and each entry expires no later than 31 December 2026 (or sooner if the Home Office removes it). By contrast, the ISL still covers higher-skill codes and some RQF 3–5 roles but will be phased out on the same date.
Which roles can be included on the TSL?
Only occupations below RQF Level 6 that (i) sit in Tables 1A, 2A or 3A of Appendix Skilled Occupations and (ii) are deemed essential to the UK’s industrial strategy or critical infrastructure may be listed, subject to MAC advice and Home Office approval.
Will employers need to do anything differently?
From 22 July 2025, sponsors have to pay each TSL role at least £23,200 plus 100 % of the going rate, cannot apply any salary discounts and must accept that new dependants are not permitted for workers in RQF 3–5 TSL roles.
Can roles be removed from the TSL?
Inclusion of roles on the TSL is temporary, and due to lapse on 31 December 2026. Roles can be removed at short notice if the shortage eases or if compliance problems, such as worker exploitation, arise.
When will the TSL be implemented?
The interim TSL became operational on 22 July 2025. The MAC is set to publish its Stage 1 methodology report in January 2026 and final occupation recommendations in mid-2026, after which the Home Office will decide which roles, if any, will move onto a permanent TSL before the 31 December 2026 sunset date.
Section G: Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Temporary Shortage List (TSL) | A list of roles with time-limited access to the Skilled Worker visa route for sub-degree skill level jobs facing genuine labour shortages. |
| Immigration Salary List (ISL) | Schedule of higher‑skill occupation codes that qualify for sponsorship on reduced cash thresholds and visa‑fee concessions under the Skilled Worker route. |
| RQF Level | The Regulated Qualifications Framework level indicating the skill level of a role. RQF Level 3–5 refers to qualifications below degree level. |
| Skilled Worker visa | The main UK work visa route for sponsored employment. Roles must meet minimum salary and skill thresholds to qualify. |
| Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) | An independent body that advises the UK Government on immigration matters, including which roles should be included on the TSL. |
| Workforce strategy | A sector-led plan to reduce reliance on migrant labour by investing in training, recruitment and retention of the domestic workforce. |
| Skills England | A UK body responsible for coordinating national skills development and workforce planning, involved in assessing workforce strategies for the TSL. |
| Labour Market Enforcement (LME) Group | A government-linked body responsible for monitoring labour market practices and advising on over-reliance on international workers. |
| Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) | The UK government department responsible for welfare and employment, expected to collaborate with sectors on domestic labour plans linked to TSL inclusion. |
| Dependant restrictions | Limits placed on sponsored workers from bringing family members with them to the UK, potentially applied to TSL roles. |
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals.
