The Shortage Occupation List is no longer used for applications under the Skilled Worker visa. It was replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL) in April 2024. The ISL specifies salary thresholds for specific occupations under the Skilled Worker route.
However, following changes announced in the Immigration White Paper, the Immigration Salary List is now also due to be terminated, and will be replaced by a new Temporary Shortage List.
This article predates the removal of the Shortage Occupation List. Please refer to our guide to the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List for up to date information about sponsoring workers in shortage roles in the UK.
Section A: What is the UK’s Shortage Occupation List?
Under the UK’s points-based immigration system, most non-UK resident workers must 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 must 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.
Section B: Shortage Occupation List in 2025
The Shortage Occupation List was officially replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL) on 4 April 2024.
1. Shortage Occupation List v Immigration Salary List
While the Shortage Occupation List was previously used to identify roles where there was a shortage of skilled workers in the UK, the ISL took a different approach. It focused on specific occupations where a significant shortage of labour was identified and allowed employers to sponsor overseas workers at a reduced salary threshold. While the SOL offered a 20% discount on the general salary threshold for sponsored workers, the ISL offered a 20% discount on a lower salary threshold. The ISL is also notably shorter, featuring fewer job types than its predecessor.
Read more about the Immigration Salary List here >>
2. Key Updates
In the lead up to its abolition in April 2024, the Shortage Occupation List had been under considerable government scrutiny, with changes including:
a. October 2023: the MAC published a detailed report on the UK SOL, the key findings of which we summarise here. As well as putting forward recommendations to add occupations to the list and to remove the going rate discount for SOL roles, the MAC also uses this report to put questions to the government about the future role of the SOL within UK immigration. This includes recommending changing the name of the Shortage Occupation List to the “Immigration Salary Discount List” (ISDL) as a more accurate reflection of its purpose.
b. December 2023: the Government announced a 5 point immigration plan which confirmed that the Shortage Occupation List would be replaced with a new ‘Immigration Salary List’. The new list is to retain the general threshold discount, but will not feature the 20% going rate salary discount for shortage occupations. The changes are expected to take effect in Spring 2024.
c. January 2024: the Home Office commissioned the MAC to carry out a ‘rapid review’ of the SOL, which is now to be called the Immigration Salary List, with a view to amending the roles on the list and revising relevant salary thresholds.
d. February 2024: the MAC is expected to publish its rapid review report by 23 February 2024.
e. April 2024: following the MAC rapid review, the Immigration Salary List has replaced the Shortage Occupation List.
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.
Table 1 NOW RETIRED: Shortage occupations where applicants for entry clearance or permission to stay may 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 |
Section D: Summary
Prior to April 2024, the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) was a key part of the UK’s Skilled Worker visa route. It outlined specific occupations where there was a documented shortage of skilled workers, making it easier for UK employers to sponsor overseas talent to fill these vacancies. Roles on the SOL were considered to be in high demand, making it easier for employers to secure a visa for a foreign worker.
However, on 4 April 2024, the SOL was replaced by the Immigration Salary List, signalling a departure from focusing solely on specific occupations and instead emphasising salary thresholds as a primary criterion for visa eligibility. While the ISL still targets sectors with labour shortages, its approach is more broadly focused than the SOL, with the aim of attracting high-skilled workers to the UK economy.
In May 2025, further reforms of the sponsorship system were announced by the government. Among the changes, the Immigration Salary List is to be replaced by a new Temporary Shortage List.
Find out more about the Temporary Shortage List here >>
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 shortage occupation list?
The Shortage Occupation List was operated by the UK Government as a schedule of skilled occupations deemed to be in short supply in the UK, allowing more favourable sponsored visa criteria. The Shortage Occupation List was replaced in April 2024 by the Immigration Salary List. The Immigration Salary List is being retired and will be replaced by the Temporary Shortage List.
Why was the SOL replaced with the Immigration Salary List (ISL)?
The SOL was replaced with the Immigration Salary List (ISL) on 4 April 2024 to shift the focus from specific occupations to salary thresholds. The ISL aims to attract highly skilled workers across a broader range of sectors by prioritising higher salary levels.
How does the Immigration Salary List (ISL) work?
The ISL focuses on salary thresholds rather than specific occupations. To be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa under the ISL, a job must meet certain salary criteria, ensuring that the UK attracts highly skilled workers who are compensated at a competitive level. The ISL is due to be abolished and replaced by the Temporary Shortage List.
Will the ISL impact existing visa holders who were sponsored under the SOL?
The ISL primarily affects new visa applications and sponsorships. Existing visa holders who were sponsored under the SOL should not be directly impacted, but employers may need to be aware of the new criteria for any future visa renewals or new hires.
Section G: Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Shortage Occupation List (SOL) | A former component of the UK’s Skilled Worker visa system that identified specific occupations with a documented shortage of skilled workers, allowing easier visa sponsorship for those roles. |
| Skilled Worker Visa | A visa category in the UK that allows employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas to fill roles that meet specific criteria, including salary thresholds and, previously, being on the SOL. |
| Immigration Salary List (ISL) | The list that replaced the SOL on 4 April 2024, shifting the focus from specific occupations to salary thresholds as the primary criterion for visa eligibility, aimed at attracting highly skilled workers. The ISL is being replaced by the Temporary Shortage List. |
| Temporary Shortage List | REplacing the Immigration Salary List, the Temporary Shortage List specifies the occupations with a recognised shortage of qualified workers, allowing employers to sponsor foreign workers for those roles. |
| Salary Threshold | The minimum salary level required for a job to be eligible for visa sponsorship under the ISL, reflecting the UK government’s emphasis on attracting high earners and skilled professionals. |
| Labour Shortages | Sectors or occupations where there is a recognised lack of skilled workers, previously addressed through the SOL and now through the ISL. |
| Visa Sponsorship | The process by which a UK employer supports an overseas worker’s application for a visa, ensuring they meet the necessary criteria, such as those outlined in the ISL. |
| UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) | The division of the UK Home Office responsible for managing the country’s visa system, including the implementation of the SOL and ISL. |
| High-Skilled Workers | Professionals with advanced skills, qualifications, and experience who are targeted by the ISL to support the UK economy. |
| Eligibility Criteria | The specific requirements that must be met for a job to qualify for visa sponsorship, including salary thresholds and, previously, occupation shortages. |
| Labour Market Impact | The effect that labour shortages or the introduction of skilled workers has on the UK economy, considered when developing policies like the SOL and ISL. |
Section H: Additional Resources
UK Government – Skilled Worker Visa
https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Provides comprehensive guidance on the Skilled Worker visa, including eligibility criteria, application processes, and sponsorship requirements.
UK Government – Immigration Rules
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules
Access the full text of the UK Immigration Rules, which outline the legal framework for all immigration categories, including those related to the Immigration Salary List.
UK Government – Shortage Occupation List Archive
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-shortage-occupations
Historical reference to the occupations that were listed on the Shortage Occupation List before it was replaced by the Immigration Salary List.
UK Government – Immigration Salary List
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list
Official information on the Immigration Salary List, detailing how salary thresholds are applied for visa eligibility under the new system.
Home Office – UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI)
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration
The official site for UK Visas & Immigration, offering resources and updates on visa categories, immigration policies, and the application process.
Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/migration-advisory-committee
Independent, non-departmental public body that advises the UK government on migration issues, including labour shortages and immigration policy.
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 a 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
