Section A: What is the UK’s Shortage Occupation List?
Under the UK’s points-based immigration system, most non-UK resident workers are required to apply for a visa to come to the UK to work. The primary route is the Skilled Worker visa, which replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa. For employers looking to sponsor skilled non-UK resident workers, a number of strict requirements apply in respect of the role being recruited for. To be eligible for this visa, the worker needs to meet the eligibility requirements, covering criteria such as skills, language and salary requirements.
Prior to April 2024, the Shortage Occupation List set out those roles deemed by the UK Government to be in short supply within the UK resident labour market, with such roles typically afforded lower salary thresholds and reduced application fees for sponsored work visa applications. Recommendations for roles to be included on the list were made by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) with a view to meeting the needs of UK businesses and better reflecting the selective nature of the UK Points Based System and sponsored visa applications.
From 4 April 2024, the SOL was replaced by the Immigration Salary List. Where an occupation is on the ISL, the minimum salary is set at 80% of the route’s usual minimum rate for Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visas. The going-rate discount that existed under the SOL was removed under the ISL. On 22 July 2025 the Skilled Worker skill threshold moved back to RQF level 6 for new grants.
Government policy is to introduce a time-limited Temporary Shortage List alongside the ISL until 31 December 2026, but this is not yet operational. The MAC’s Stage 1 report sets out design recommendations and an 82-occupation shortlist for Stage 2 consideration; further recommendations will inform any implementation timetable.
See our guide to the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List for up to date information about sponsoring workers in shortage roles or the availability of reduced salary thresholds in the UK.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
Relying on the SOL, or on any outdated or expired rules, thresholds or guidance, can lead to visa refusals and potential Home Office compliance action.
Section B: Shortage Occupation List in 2025
The Shortage Occupation List was officially replaced by the Immigration Salary List on 4 April 2024. The ISL remains the live mechanism in 2025. Where a job appears on the ISL, the minimum salary is set at 80% of the route’s usual minimum rate for the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker routes. The going-rate discount that previously applied under the SOL does not apply under the ISL. From 22 July 2025, the Skilled Worker skill threshold moved back to RQF level 6 for new grants, with limited transitional protection for those sponsored before that date.
Government policy is to introduce a time-limited Temporary Shortage List alongside the ISL until 31 December 2026. The TSL is not yet in force. The MAC has completed Stage 1 of its review, setting out the proposed design of the TSL and identifying 82 occupations for Stage 2 consideration. Any move to implementation will follow Stage 2 recommendations and a further government decision.
The SOL identified roles facing labour shortages and applied both reduced application fees and a going-rate discount for salary purposes. By contrast, the ISL lists specific occupations that benefit from a reduced route minimum set at 80% of the usual threshold, while the SOL-era going-rate discount no longer applies. Since 22 July 2025, the ISL does not reduce the required skill level for new Skilled Worker grants, which returned to RQF level 6.
Read more about the Immigration Salary List here >>
a. In October 2023, the MAC published recommendations on the future of shortage policy, including removing the going-rate discount and renaming the list to reflect its salary-based function, which informed later reforms.
b. In December 2023, the government confirmed the SOL would be replaced by the Immigration Salary List. The ISL would retain a discount against the route minimum but remove the SOL’s going-rate discount.
c. In January 2024, the Home Office commissioned a MAC rapid review to support the transition from SOL to ISL, including which occupations should appear on the ISL and how thresholds should operate.
d. In February 2024, the MAC rapid review outcome informed the April 2024 implementation of the ISL and the removal of the SOL going-rate discount.
e. In April 2024, the Immigration Salary List took effect. On 22 July 2025, further Skilled Worker changes came into force, including the return to RQF level 6 for new grants and updated thresholds. The ISL continues to operate, and the proposed TSL remains at design stage following the MAC’s Stage 1 report.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
The move from the SOL to the ISL brought a shift in focus onto pay levels rather than role type. The ISL is more rigid than its predecessor, and sponsors that rely on outdated internal salary bands risk being caught out during compliance audits.
Section C: UK Shortage Occupation List – prior to closure
Prior to being abolished, the SOL was made up of two tables, which also specified the Standard Occupational Classification Code (SOC) for each eligible role. These tables are now fully retired and apply only to applications made before 4 April 2024. They are included here for historic reference only. For current information, employers should refer to the live Immigration Salary List.
Table 1 NOW RETIRED: Shortage occupations where applicants for entry clearance or permission to stay could be paid 80% of the going rate for the occupation code:
| Shortage Occupation List – Prior to Abolition in April 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation code | Job types included on the shortage occupations list | Areas of the UK where there is a shortage | 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 (£16.94 per hour) |
| 1242 | Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £22,640 (£11.61 per hour) |
| 2111 | Chemical scientists – only jobs in the nuclear industry | Scotland only | 80% of going rate: £22,800 (£11.69 per hour) |
| 2112 | Biological scientists and biochemists – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £24,480 (£12.55 per hour) |
| 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 (£13.37 per hour) |
| 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 (£13.37 per hour) |
| 2114 | Social and humanities scientists – only archaeologists | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £20,480 (£10.50 per hour) |
| 2121 | Civil engineers – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £27,760 (£14.24 per hour) |
| 2122 | Mechanical engineers – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £26,400 (£13.54 per hour) |
| 2123 | Electrical engineers – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £31,440 (£16.12 per hour) |
| 2124 | Electronics engineers – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £27,120 (£13.91 per hour) |
| 2126 | Design and development engineers – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £27,280 (£13.99 per hour) |
| 2127 | Production and process engineers – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £25,600 (£13.13 per hour) |
| 2129 | Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £26,720 (£13.70 per hour) |
| 2135 | IT business analysts, architects and systems designers – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £30,080 (£15.43 per hour) |
| 2136 | Programmers and software development professionals – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £27,200 (£13.95 per hour) |
| 2137 | Web design and development professionals – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £21,440 (£10.99 per hour) |
| 2139 | Information technology and communications professionals not elsewhere classified – only cyber security specialists | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £25,680 (£13.17 per hour) |
| 2216 | Veterinarians – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £26,960 (£13.83 per hour) |
| 2425 | Actuaries, economists and statisticians – only bio-informaticians and informaticians | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £26,880 (£13.78 per hour) |
| 2431 | Architects – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £26,320 (£13.50 per hour) |
| 2461 | Quality control and planning engineers – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £25,280 (£12.96 per hour) |
| 3111 | Laboratory technicians – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £15,120 (£7.75 per hour) |
| 3411 | Artists – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £16,400 (£8.41 per hour) |
| 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 (£8.70 per hour) |
| 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 (£12.80 per hour) |
| 3416 | Arts officers, producers and directors – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £23,360 (£11.98 per hour) |
| 3421 | Graphic designers – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £18,400 (£9.44 per hour) |
| 5119 | Agriculture and fishing trades not elsewhere classified – only jobs in the fishing industry | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £17,600 (£9.03 per hour) |
| 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 (£9.48 per hour) |
| 5312 | Bricklayers and masons – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £18,640 (£9.56 per hour) |
| 5313 | Roofers, roof tilers and slaters – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £16,160 (£8.29 per hour) |
| 5315 | Carpenters and joiners – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £18,000 (£9.23 per hour) |
| 5319 | Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £17,760 (£9.11 per hour) |
| 5321 | Plasterers – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £19,200 (£9.85 per hour) |
| 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 or £10.75 per hour |
| 6146 | Senior care workers – all jobs | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £14,880 (£7.63 per hour) |
| 9119 | Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified – only deckhands on large fishing vessel (9 metres and above). The job must require 3 or more years’ full-time experience. This experience must not have been gained through illegal working. | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | 80% of going rate: £14,400 (£7.38 per hour) |
Table 2 NOW RETIRED: Shortage occupations in eligible health and education occupation codes where going rates are based on national pay scales:
| Shortage Occupation List – Prior to Abolition in April 2024 Shortage occupations in eligible health and education occupation codes where going rates are based on national pay scales | ||
|---|---|---|
| Occupation code | Job types included on the shortage occupations list | Areas of the UK where there is a shortage |
| 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 |
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
The Shortage Occupation List is no longer in use, either for new applications or for extensions and settlement of existing sponsored workers. Employers need to ensure they are using the current rules and the live official government reference materials, such as the Immigration Salary List (ISL).
Section D: Summary
Prior to April 2024, the Shortage Occupation List was a core feature of the UK’s Skilled Worker visa framework. It set out specific occupations that were recognised as facing shortages of qualified workers in the UK, which allowed employers to sponsor overseas nationals for those roles under relaxed salary and fee criteria. Roles listed on the SOL benefited from lower salary thresholds and were often prioritised by employers seeking to fill vacancies more efficiently through sponsorship.
On 4 April 2024, the SOL was abolished and replaced by the Immigration Salary List. The ISL continues to operate as at 2025 and applies a different model, focusing on salary thresholds rather than occupation-based shortages.
Under the ISL, where an occupation appears on the list, the minimum salary is 80% of the standard route minimum for Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker applications, with no additional going-rate discount. This marked a policy shift away from a shortage-based mechanism to one that targets wage levels as the primary benchmark for eligibility. The Migration Advisory Committee maintains oversight and periodically reviews the ISL.
Further developments were announced in the government’s 2025 Immigration White Paper. The White Paper confirmed the government’s intention to introduce a new Temporary Shortage List (TSL), to operate alongside the ISL until 31 December 2026. The TSL is not yet operational and remains under MAC review following the publication of its Stage 1 report in October 2025. That report set out the proposed framework for the TSL and identified 82 RQF 3–5 occupations for further evidence gathering during Stage 2. Once implemented, the TSL will allow limited access to sponsorship for selected mid-skilled roles deemed of strategic importance or in acute shortage.
For employers, the ISL applies to all Skilled Worker applications, including those made after the July 2025 threshold reforms, while the TSL remains prospective. Employers should therefore continue to refer to the ISL on GOV.UK when assessing whether a role qualifies for sponsorship at a reduced salary rate. Transitional protections apply only for certain workers sponsored before 22 July 2025.
UK employers should ensure their sponsorship decisions and salary calculations are based on the current ISL and Skilled Worker rules, not the former SOL framework. For any future developments on the Temporary Shortage List, employers should monitor Home Office and MAC updates as implementation timetables are confirmed.
Section E: Need Assistance?
UK visa sponsorship rules are becoming increasingly complex and remain subject to frequent change. We understand that for employers, this creates risk and uncertainty in workforce planning and overseas recruitment.
DavidsonMorris specialises in supporting employers through the UK immigration system to meet their recruitment needs.
For advice on the hiring under the Skilled Worker route, including guidance on designated shortage roles, salary thresholds, assigning SOC codes or any issue relating to hiring points-based visa workers, contact us.
Section F: Shortage Occupation List FAQs
What is the Shortage Occupation List?
The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) was a schedule of occupations recognised by the UK Government as being in short supply within the domestic labour market. It enabled employers to sponsor overseas workers for roles on the list under more flexible criteria, such as lower salary thresholds and reduced visa fees. The SOL was formally abolished on 4 April 2024 and replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL), which remains the live mechanism as at 2025.
Why was the SOL replaced with the Immigration Salary List (ISL)?
The Government replaced the SOL with the ISL to move away from occupation-based designations towards a salary-based framework. The ISL focuses on pay levels rather than shortages, ensuring that sponsored roles meet the minimum salary requirement at a sustainable level. The ISL no longer applies the 20% going-rate discount that previously existed under the SOL and now limits eligibility to listed roles where the minimum salary is 80% of the route’s usual minimum. This shift aligns with the Government’s broader objective of encouraging higher wages and a more self-sufficient domestic workforce.
How does the Immigration Salary List (ISL) work?
The ISL lists specific occupations that benefit from a lower salary threshold. For jobs on the ISL, the required salary is set at 80% of the usual Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker route minimum. The list is reviewed periodically by the Migration Advisory Committee to ensure it reflects labour market conditions. The ISL does not provide a reduction in the occupation-specific going rate, and it does not reduce the skill level for eligibility, which since 22 July 2025 has reverted to RQF level 6 for new grants.
What is the Temporary Shortage List (TSL)?
The Temporary Shortage List is a new, time-limited mechanism proposed by the Government to operate alongside the ISL until 31 December 2026. It will target selected mid-skilled (RQF 3–5) occupations that are strategically important or face clear evidence of shortage. The TSL is not yet in force. The Migration Advisory Committee’s Stage 1 report in October 2025 set out design principles and identified 82 occupations for Stage 2 review. The list will not take effect until the Government considers the Stage 2 findings and confirms an implementation date.
Will the ISL impact existing visa holders who were sponsored under the SOL?
Existing visa holders who were sponsored under the former SOL remain subject to the rules in place at the time their visa was granted. However, when these individuals apply to extend, change employment or switch routes, they are expected to meet the current Skilled Worker requirements in force at the time of application. Transitional protection may apply only where the sponsorship pre-dates 22 July 2025. Employers should check the current ISL and salary thresholds for any new Certificates of Sponsorship issued after that date.
When will the Temporary Shortage List come into effect?
The Temporary Shortage List is still under development. Following the MAC’s Stage 1 report in October 2025, the next stage involves a public call for evidence and further government consultation. Implementation is expected to take place after Stage 2 is completed in 2026, subject to ministerial approval. Until then, only the ISL applies for Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker sponsorships.
Where can I find the current Immigration Salary List?
The current Immigration Salary List is published on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list. Employers should rely only on this official version when confirming salary eligibility for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
Section G: Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Shortage Occupation List (SOL) | A former list under the UK’s Skilled Worker visa route that identified occupations facing a shortage of qualified domestic workers. It allowed employers to sponsor overseas workers for those roles under more favourable salary and fee criteria. The SOL was abolished on 4 April 2024 and replaced by the Immigration Salary List. |
| Skilled Worker Visa | A UK work visa that enables employers to sponsor overseas nationals for eligible skilled roles that meet the minimum skill and salary thresholds. It replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa and remains the primary route for long-term employment in the UK. |
| Immigration Salary List (ISL) | The list that replaced the Shortage Occupation List on 4 April 2024. It identifies specific occupations eligible for a lower salary threshold, set at 80% of the route’s usual minimum, while removing the SOL’s former 20% going-rate discount. The ISL is reviewed by the Migration Advisory Committee and continues to operate as at 2025. |
| Temporary Shortage List (TSL) | A forthcoming, time-limited mechanism proposed to operate alongside the ISL until 31 December 2026. It will cover selected mid-skilled (RQF 3–5) occupations where there is clear evidence of shortage or strategic importance. The TSL is not yet in force; the Migration Advisory Committee’s Stage 1 report in October 2025 outlined its design and shortlisted 82 occupations for Stage 2 review. |
| Salary Threshold | The minimum salary level required for a role to qualify for visa sponsorship. Under the ISL, listed occupations are eligible for 80% of the usual Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker route minimum salary. No going-rate discount applies under the ISL. |
| Labour Shortages | Sectors or occupations experiencing an insufficient supply of suitably qualified workers within the UK labour market. Labour shortages were previously addressed through the SOL and now inform reviews of the ISL and proposed TSL. |
| Visa Sponsorship | The process by which a licensed UK employer assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to a migrant worker, confirming the offer of an eligible role that meets the relevant skill and salary thresholds under the Immigration Rules. |
| UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) | The division of the Home Office responsible for administering the UK’s visa system, including the management of sponsor licensing, Skilled Worker applications, and implementation of the ISL and future TSL. |
| High-Skilled Workers | Professionals holding advanced qualifications, experience or specialist expertise. The Skilled Worker route and ISL framework are designed to attract and retain high-skilled individuals to support the UK economy. |
| Eligibility Criteria | The set of mandatory requirements that an applicant and the sponsoring employer must meet for a Skilled Worker visa, including occupation eligibility, salary thresholds, English language proficiency and sponsorship by a licensed employer. |
| Labour Market Impact | The effect that shortages, wage levels and migration flows have on the UK workforce and economy. The Migration Advisory Committee assesses labour market impact when reviewing or recommending updates to the ISL and proposed TSL. |
Section H: Additional Resources and Links
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| UK Government – Skilled Worker Visa | Official Home Office guidance on the Skilled Worker visa route, including eligibility criteria, sponsorship requirements and application procedures. | https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa |
| UK Government – Immigration Rules | Full text of the UK Immigration Rules, setting out the legal framework governing visa categories, salary thresholds and sponsorship requirements. | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules |
| UK Government – Immigration Salary List | The current Immigration Salary List, effective from 4 April 2024, listing eligible occupations and salary thresholds for Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker routes. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list |
| Migration Advisory Committee – Temporary Shortage List Stage 1 Report | The MAC’s October 2025 Stage 1 report outlining the proposed structure and operation of the Temporary Shortage List, and listing 82 occupations for Stage 2 evidence review. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mac-stage-1-report-temporary-shortage-list-october-2025 |
| UK Government – Shortage Occupation List Archive | Historic reference to the former Shortage Occupation List, which was withdrawn on 4 April 2024 and replaced by the Immigration Salary List. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-shortage-occupations |
| Home Office – UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) | The official Home Office portal for immigration updates, sponsor licence information, and policy changes affecting work visa routes. | https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration |
| Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) | Independent advisory body providing evidence-based recommendations to the UK Government on migration issues, including the ISL and TSL. | https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/migration-advisory-committee |
