Here is the UK’s new skills shortage list

Government has published the new Temporary Shortage Occupation List which will apply from 22 July 2025 to 31 December 2026.

The new list forms part of sweeping changes the Home Office is making to the UK’s Immigration Rules, with major reforms taking effect from 22 July 2025.

These changes target the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility (GBM) and Scale-up routes, placing renewed focus on limiting migration to high-skilled, high-paid roles.

Roles on the list may be sponsored under reduced salary thresholds, but cannot bring dependents to the UK. The full list is detailed below:

• 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:
  • 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:
  • 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:
  • Box office assistants
  • Grants officers
  • Mortgage administrators
  • Revenue assistants (excl. 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 and ventilating installers and repairers
• 5319 Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only:
  • 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

Those already on a Skilled Worker, GBM, or Scale-up visa granted prior to 22 July 2025 will continue to be eligible to:

• Extend their stay
• Change employers (within limits)
• Apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

These transitional provisions are vital, particularly for care workers and others affected by the upcoming role exclusions.

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