If you are an overseas professional looking to work in the UK or an employer struggling to fill critical vacancies, understanding the UK’s current shortage occupation framework is essential. In 2026, the landscape has changed significantly from what many people remember. The old Shortage Occupation List (SOL) no longer exists. In its place are two formal instruments that determine which roles qualify for fast or discounted Skilled Worker visa sponsorship: the Immigration Salary List (ISL) and the Temporary Shortage List (TSL).
This guide breaks down exactly how these lists work, which roles qualify, and what you need to do to take advantage of them before they expire.
What Happened to the Old Shortage Occupation List?
The original Shortage Occupation List was abolished in April 2024, following recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). It was replaced by the Immigration Salary List, which took a much narrower approach. Where the old SOL covered more than 50 occupations and offered an 80% going-rate discount, the ISL covers roughly 21 occupations and only reduces the general salary threshold, not the occupation-specific going rate.
Then, from 22 July 2025, the UK government introduced the Temporary Shortage List to provide a separate, time-limited route for medium-skilled (RQF Level 3–5) roles that would otherwise be ineligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship under the higher skill-level requirements introduced that same year.
Both lists are currently set to expire on 31 December 2026, unless the Home Office extends them following the MAC’s Stage 2 report due in July 2026.
The Immigration Salary List (ISL): Roles at RQF Level 6 and Above
The ISL applies to graduate-level roles (RQF Level 6+). If your occupation appears on the ISL, you qualify for a reduced general salary threshold of £33,400 instead of the standard £41,700. However, you must still meet the occupation-specific going rate of 100%. Whichever figure is higher applies.
Sectors and roles currently represented on the ISL include:
Science and Laboratory: Biological scientists, laboratory scientists, and pharmaceutical technicians are among the key roles listed. These occupations carry significant weight in the UK’s research and pharmaceutical sectors.
Engineering: Certain specialist engineering positions, including mechanical engineering roles, appear on the ISL. Employers in these fields can recruit overseas talent at a reduced salary floor while still meeting going-rate obligations.
Healthcare: Some nursing and medical practitioner roles qualify, particularly under the Health and Care Worker visa sub-route, which has its own reduced threshold of £23,200 to £31,300, depending on the specific role and circumstances.
Creative Industries and Arts: Artists, dancers, and choreographers are included on the ISL, reflecting persistent shortages in the UK’s creative and performing arts sectors.
Construction: Bricklayers, carpenters, and joiners appear on the list, though the ISL is far more restrictive than the old SOL was for construction trades.
Agriculture and Fishing: Care workers, nursing auxiliaries and assistants, and roles in the fishing industry round out the list. Three occupations — including some in fishing, forestry, nuclear chemistry, and shipbuilding — are eligible only in Scotland.
The Temporary Shortage List (TSL): Routes for Medium-Skilled Workers
The TSL is distinct from the ISL. It was introduced specifically to preserve sponsorship access for RQF Level 3–5 roles — jobs below degree level — that face genuine, persistent labor shortages. Without the TSL, these roles would be completely shut out of the Skilled Worker route following the July 2025 skill-level changes.
Key points about the TSL:
There are no salary discounts for TSL roles. Workers must be paid the full going rate for their SOC code. The TSL simply permits the role to be sponsored at all. RQF 3–5 workers on TSL-listed roles cannot bring new dependants to the UK. The TSL applies to sectors like STEM, construction trades, healthcare support, and creative fields where medium-skilled shortages have been documented.
How the Salary Thresholds Work in Practice
Understanding the “whichever is higher” rule is critical to avoiding visa refusals.
For ISL roles at RQF Level 6+, the general threshold drops to £33,400. But if the occupation-specific going rate for the SOC code exceeds £33,400, you pay the going rate. For example, if a nuclear scientist’s going rate is £35,200, that is the minimum salary you must pay, despite the ISL discount on the general threshold.
For healthcare roles, further reduced thresholds of approximately £23,200 to £31,300 apply depending on national pay scale classifications.
Salaries must be calculated based on a 37.5-hour working week and pro-rated proportionally for other working patterns. Only guaranteed gross basic pay counts. Bonuses, overtime, and allowances are excluded from the calculation.
How to Check if Your Role Qualifies
Start by identifying the correct SOC 2020 code for the role. Use the Home Office’s CASCOT occupation coding tool or consult the Office for National Statistics. The SOC code must reflect actual job duties, not just the job title. Selecting the wrong code is a compliance error that can result in visa refusal or sponsor license suspension.
Once you have the SOC code, check whether it appears on the current ISL or TSL published on GOV.UK. Verify the applicable salary threshold and confirm that your offer meets or exceeds it. For employers issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship, the CoS must accurately reflect that the role qualifies under the ISL or TSL.
What Happens After December 2026?
Both lists are due to expire on 31 December 2026. The MAC’s Stage 2 report, expected in July 2026, will recommend which roles should continue under a revised or permanent framework. Care worker codes 6135 and 6136 have a separate expiry of 22 July 2028.
Employers and workers should monitor Home Office announcements closely. ISL entries expire automatically unless extended, and any reliance on the ISL or TSL after their expiry dates without a formal extension would constitute a compliance failure.
Key Takeaways
The UK no longer has a single Shortage Occupation List. The ISL covers roughly 21 graduate-level occupations eligible for a reduced general salary threshold of £33,400. The TSL covers medium-skilled roles at RQF 3–5 with no salary discount but restored sponsorship access. Both lists expire on 31 December 2026 unless extended. Always verify the current list on GOV.UK before assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship.
For workers, being in an ISL or TSL-listed occupation is one of the most practical advantages available in the UK’s 2026 immigration landscape. For employers, using these lists correctly can mean the difference between filling a critical vacancy and losing a candidate to bureaucratic delays.
Leave a Comment