Temporary Shortage Occupation List (TSL): What Employers Need to Know

The Temporary Shortage Occupation List (TSL) is a new, time-limited route within the UK Skilled Worker visa scheme, introduced on 22 July 2025. It provides a crucial pathway for certain medium-skill jobs (RQF Level 3 to 5) facing persistent labour shortages to be filled by skilled overseas workers. The TSL operates alongside the Immigration Salary List (ISL) until 31 December 2026, when a formal review by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will determine the permanent future of these occupations.

1️⃣ What is the Temporary Shortage Occupation List (TSL)?

The TSL is essentially a temporary appendix to the Skilled Worker route aimed at occupations below degree level, such as laboratory technicians, logistics managers, and other technician roles. This list allows employers to sponsor overseas workers in these occupations despite the recent raising of the general Skilled Worker minimum skill level to RQF Level 6 (degree level).

Ministers describe the TSL as a “bridging mechanism” designed to help employers fill urgent vacancies while the UK invests in domestic training and workforce development strategies.

2️⃣ Key Features of the Temporary Shortage List

1. Targeted OccupationsThe TSL covers medium-skilled jobs (RQF 3–5) critical to the UK’s industrial strategy and infrastructure, including construction trades, logistics management, and various technician roles.

2. Time-Limited InclusionAll TSL-listed roles come with an expiry date of 31 December 2026, after which sponsorship under these roles will no longer be possible unless extended by the MAC.

3. Conditional AccessFor a role to remain or be added to a permanent shortage list after 2026, the sector must demonstrate a credible domestic workforce plan involving recruitment, training, and fair work conditions.

4. Restrictions on DependantsWorkers sponsored under TSL roles cannot bring new dependants to the UK, a change from previous rules.

5. Enforcement and ComplianceThe Home Office reserves the right to remove occupations early if evidence of exploitation or non-compliance arises.

3️⃣ Which Roles Are Included in the Temporary Shortage Occupation List?

The Temporary Shortage List covers a broad range of occupations essential to UK industry and infrastructure. Below is the full list of SOC 2020 codes and occupations included on the TSL from 22 July 2025:

SOC Code	Occupation Description
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 (industrial & product designers, packaging designers, performance make-up artists, set designers, 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 (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 (box-office assistants, grants officers, mortgage administrators, revenue assistants excluding government roles, 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 & ventilating installers/repairers
5319	Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified (builders, divers, fence erectors, industrial climbers, ROV operators, steel fixers/underpinners)
5322	Floorers and wall tilers
5323	Painters and decorators
5330	Construction and building trades supervisors
8133	Energy plant operatives

4️⃣ How Does the Temporary Shortage List Work?

From 22 July 2025, new Skilled Worker sponsorship for medium-skilled (RQF 3–5) roles must be drawn from the TSL or the ISL.

• Salary requirements: Employers must pay at least £23,200 annually and meet 100% of the going rate for the specific occupation, with no percentage discounts allowed.

• Certificate of Sponsorship: Sponsors must issue a CoS accurately matching the SOC code and salary rules.

• Visa applications: Workers apply for Skilled Worker visas using the CoS within 3 months of issue and by 31 December 2026 for TSL roles.

5️⃣ What Employers Need to Do

To sponsor workers under the TSL, employers should:

1. Hold a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence.

2. Confirm the role’s eligibility on the TSL via the official Appendix Skilled Worker.

3. Pay the correct salary—at least £23,200 and 100% of the going rate.

4. Issue accurate Certificates of Sponsorship with the correct SOC code and salary.

5. Ensure compliance with all Skilled Worker visa requirements.

6. Keep detailed records for potential Home Office audits.

7. Monitor MAC updates and prepare for possible changes after 2026.

6️⃣ What Happens After 31 December 2026?

The TSL is a temporary solution set to expire at the end of 2026. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will publish recommendations on which roles should continue to have shortage occupation status permanently. Only occupations backed by credible workforce strategies demonstrating domestic recruitment and training will likely remain.

✨ Need Help Navigating the Temporary Shortage Occupation List?

The TSL represents a significant shift in UK visa sponsorship for medium-skilled roles. If your organisation needs guidance on complying with the new rules or planning your workforce strategy, contact us for expert support.