In July 2025, the UK tightened its Skilled Worker visa requirements, raising the minimum skill level to graduate-equivalent (RQF Level 6) and increasing salary thresholds. To prevent disruption to industries facing shortages, the government introduced the Temporary Shortage List (TSL). This time-limited list allows specific medium-skilled jobs (RQF 3–5) to remain eligible for sponsorship until 31 December 2026. In this post, we discuss how the new TSL affects both employers and skilled professionals.
These changes were duly brought into force on 22 July 2025 by the Statement of Changes HC 997, published on 01 July 2025.
What Changed and Why Was the Temporary Shortage List Introduced?
The Immigration Rules now require all new Skilled Worker visa applicants to hold a job at RQF Level 6 or above. This change, announced mid-2025 in the Immigration White Paper, removed eligibility for many mid-skilled roles. However, industries such as engineering, construction, logistics, and creative services highlighted critical shortages in certain roles. The government’s response was to create the Temporary Shortage List, a short-term exemption allowing specific occupations below RQF 6 to remain sponsorable, provided the roles are essential to the UK’s economy and workforce needs.
Key points:
- The TSL offers a temporary pathway for skill-shortage roles.
- It does not reduce salary requirements or visa fees.
- By 31 December 2026, occupations on the List will be reviewed and replaced, pending review by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), as per the Explanatory Memorandum published with the most recent Statement of Changes.
Which Occupations Are Included on the Temporary Shortage List?
The 2025 Temporary Shortage List covers approximately 50 occupations across several sectors, including technicians & IT support, creative & design professions, business and finance roles, administrators & finance clerks, trades & construction, maritime and specialist roles
Temporary Shortage List 2025
| Occupation code | Job types included on the 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 the following job types: – Industrial and product designers – Packaging designers – Performance make-up artists – Set designers – Visual merchandising managers and 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 the following job types: – Business support officers – Business systems analysts – Contract administrators – Clinical coders – Clinical trials administrators – 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 the following job types: – Box office assistants – Grants officers – Mortgage administrators – Revenue assistants (excludes National and Local government revenue occupations) – 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 not elsewhere classified |
| 5311 | Steel erectors |
| 5315 | Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers |
| 5319 | Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only the following job types: – Builders – Divers – Fence erectors – Industrial climbers – Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operators – Steel fixers and underpinners |
| 5322 | Floorers and wall tilers |
| 5323 | Painters and decorators |
| 5330 | Construction and building trades supervisors |
| 8133 | Energy plant operatives |
You must confirm your occupation’s Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code matches the official TSL list when applying. You may qualify for a lower salary rate if you got your certificate of sponsorship for your first Skilled Worker visa before 04 April 2024 and have continually held on or more Skilled Worker visas since then.
You can also find the list here – Temporary Shortage List 2025.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements under the TSL?
If your job appears on the TSL, you may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa even if it falls below RQF Level 6. However, all standard visa requirements still apply:
- Sponsorship: An employer must hold a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) with the correct SOC code.
- Salary requirement: You must meet the higher of the general minimum (£41,700/year) or the occupation’s specific “going rate.” No discounted salary applies for TSL jobs; under transitional provisions, you may qualify for a lower salary threshold if you have continuously held a Skilled Worker visa since before 04 April 2024
- English language: Prove CEFR B1 proficiency (e.g., via an approved test).
- Maintenance funds: Show at least £1,270 in savings unless your sponsor certifies maintenance on your CoS.
- TB test and character checks: Required if applicable based on your nationality and profession.
Importantly, dependants cannot be sponsored on the visa if you are a new entrant in a TSL occupation. This is a significant change from previous eligibility rules.
What Happens After You’re in the UK via a Temporary Shortage List Role?
- Work and settle: You can live and work in the UK indefinitely on the Skilled Worker visa.
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): After 5 years of continuous residence, you may apply for permanent settlement, provided you meet residency rules and other requirements (e.g., Life in the UK test).
- Future risk: The TSL is temporary. If your occupation is removed from the list in 2027 and does not qualify elsewhere, you may need to switch to a higher-skill role to extend or settle.
Key Differences Between TSL Roles and Standard Skilled Worker Roles
| TSL (RQF 3–5 roles) | Skilled Worker (RQF 6+ roles) | |
| Skill Level | Medium-skilled (RQF 3–5) | Graduate-level (RQF 6+) |
| Settlement Potential | Yes, with restrictions (no dependants) | Yes, with dependants |
| Salary Requirement | at or above £41,700 or the going rate, whichever is higher, for new applicants after 04 April 2024 | Same |
| Eligibility Duration | Until 31 December 2026 (subject to review) | Ongoing, subject to policy |
| Dependent Permissions | No for new entrants | Yes |
Why Whytecroft Ford Can Help
Whytecroft Ford’s regulated immigration advisers specialise in Skilled Worker visas, Sponsor Licence compliance, and career planning under evolving immigration rules. We provide:
- Route suitability assessments, including whether a role qualifies under TSL.
- CoS and application preparation to ensure accurate SOC codes and evidence.
- Ongoing strategy support, especially given the TSL’s temporary nature.
- Post-decision support, including ILR preparation and sponsor compliance.
This is a complex and fast-changing area of immigration. If you’re planning a UK sponsorship or application in a TSL role, contact Whytecroft Ford for tailored guidance on 0208 757 5751.
Frequently Asked Questions
A temporary list of medium-skilled occupations (RQF 3–5) that remain eligible for Skilled Worker visas despite the RQF 6 rule change.
Only if you hold or switch to a role at RQF 6 or above. New applicants in TSL roles are not eligible for dependents.
No. You must still meet the higher general salary requirement or the occupation’s going rate, whichever is higher.
