UK Shortage Occupation List 2025: Updated List
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Discover the updated UK Shortage Occupation List featuring high-demand roles across sectors like healthcare, engineering, and IT. This list offers faster visa processing and reduced salary thresholds for eligible professionals.
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Table of Contents
- UK Shortage Occupation List 2025
- Updated Shortage Occupation List UK
- UK Shortage Occupation List: Types of Sponsor Licenses
- Eligibility Requirements to Apply for the UK Skilled Worker Visa
- Occupation Shortage List UK: Application Process to UK Skilled Worker Visa
- Fulfill Your Dream to Work in the UK With GetGIS Assistance
The UK shortage occupation list 2025 outlines specific roles across industries that face a significant skills gap in the country. These roles are given special consideration under the UK’s Skilled Worker visa route, making it easier and faster for overseas workers to fill them. As of 2025, the list includes key sectors like healthcare, engineering, construction, and IT, all struggling with domestic labour shortages.
The list is updated based on advice from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), ensuring it reflects real labour market needs. Roles on this list enjoy lower salary thresholds and reduced visa fees, easing entry for international professionals. Let’s explore the updated shortage occupation list for 2025 in this blog.
UK Shortage Occupation List 2025
Ever since the Skilled Worker Visa was rolled out in December 2020, UK employers have had to turn to the Skill Shortage Occupation List (now known as Immigration Salary List) if they want to hire foreign workers under this visa category.
The list is put together by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), keeping in mind the needs of businesses across the UK. Occupation being on this list means there's a shortage of local talent in a particular sector. And the good news for employers? They don't have to go through the hassle of the resident labour market test when hiring for these roles.
Updates for Shortage Occupation List UK
In December 2023, the UK government introduced significant changes to its immigration system, impacting those applying through the Skilled Worker route. These changes, effective from April 2024, include a new salary framework and an overhaul of the Shortage Occupation List. Here is a breakdown of what professionals and employers need to know.
- The Shortage Occupation List has been replaced by a new list called the Immigration Salary List (ISL).
- The previous 20% salary discount for shortage roles is now scrapped entirely.
- For most Skilled Worker visa applicants (excluding healthcare roles), the salary threshold has risen sharply from £26,200 to £38,700.
- The minimum salary benchmarks now align with median wages instead of lower quartile rates.
- Job-specific salary thresholds must meet either the national median or the national pay scale, whichever is higher.
- For roles listed on the new ISL, workers must earn at least £30,960 or meet the occupation-specific threshold.
- Healthcare and care sector applicants remain exempt from the new high threshold and now face a lower general requirement of £29,000.
- For health and care roles on the ISL, the minimum salary must be either £23,200 or the relevant occupational threshold, whichever is higher.
Also Read: Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in the UK in Various Industries
Updated Shortage Occupation List UK
Here is the updated shortage occupation list for the UK for 2025, which outlines key job roles facing labour shortages. Explore the table below for the in-demand roles featured on the latest list.
|
Occupation code |
Job types included on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) |
Areas of the UK that qualify |
Standard rate |
Lower rate |
|
1212 |
Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services – only “fishing boat masters” |
Scotland only |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
£25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
|
2111 |
Chemical scientists – only jobs in the nuclear industry |
Scotland only |
£35,200 (£18.05 per hour) |
£29,600 (£15.18 per hour) |
|
2112 |
Biological scientists – all jobs |
UK wide |
£38,000 (£19.49 per hour) |
£28,100 (£14.41 per hour) |
|
2115 |
Social and humanities scientists – only archaeologists |
UK wide |
£36,400 (£18.67 per hour) |
£25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
|
2142 |
Graphic and multimedia designers – all jobs |
UK wide |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
£25,100 (£12.87 per hour) |
|
3111 |
Laboratory technicians – only jobs requiring 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. |
UK wide |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
£25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
|
3212 |
Pharmaceutical technicians – all jobs |
UK wide |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
£25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
|
3411 |
Artists – all jobs |
UK wide |
£32,800 (£16.82 per hour) |
£25,900 (£13.28 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). |
UK wide |
£31,200 (£16.00 per hour) |
£30,000 (£15.38 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 be a full member of the Association of British Orchestras. |
UK wide |
£35,300 (£18.10 per hour) |
£30,400 (£15.59 per hour) |
|
3416 |
Arts officers, producers and directors – all jobs |
UK wide |
£37,500 (£19.23 per hour) |
£31,300 (£16.05 per hour) |
|
5119 |
Agriculture and fishing trades not elsewhere classified – only jobs in the fishing industry |
UK wide |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
£25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
|
5213 |
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 working illegally. |
UK wide |
£31,700 (£16.26 per hour) |
£26,400 (£13.54 per hour) |
|
5235 |
Boat and ship builders and repairers – all jobs |
Scotland only |
£34,100 (£17.49 per hour) |
£26,300 (£13.49 per hour) |
|
5312 |
Stonemasons and related trades – all jobs |
UK wide |
£32,400 (£16.62 per hour) |
£26,200 (£13.44 per hour) |
|
5313 |
Bricklayers – all jobs |
UK wide |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
£25,600 (£13.13 per hour) |
|
5314 |
Roofers, roof tilers and slaters – all jobs |
UK wide |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
£25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
|
5316 |
Carpenters and joiners – all jobs |
UK wide |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
£25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
|
5319 |
Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only retrofitters |
UK wide |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
£25,500 (£13.08 per hour) |
|
6135 |
Care workers and home carers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. Private households or individuals (other than sole traders sponsoring someone to work for their business) cannot sponsor Skilled Worker applicants. |
UK wide |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
£25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
|
6136 |
Senior care workers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. |
UK wide |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
£25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
|
6129 |
Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified – only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders |
UK wide |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
£25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
|
9119 |
Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified – only deckhands on large fishing vessels (9 metres and above) where the job requires the worker to have at least 3 years’ full-time experience in using their skills. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. |
UK |
£30,960 (£15.88 per hour) |
£25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
Explore: UK Work Visa for Indians in 2025: Eligibility, Process & Fees
UK Shortage Occupation List: Types of Sponsor Licenses
To sponsor a worker for a position listed in the Shortage Occupation List or Appendix Skilled Occupations, the employer must hold a sponsor license tailored to the specific route. Below are the types of sponsor licenses required for these roles:
- Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence: Needed for sponsoring skilled workers in various sectors across the UK.
- Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence: Required for international businesses seeking to transfer employees to the UK.
- Scale-up Sponsor License: Designed for rapidly growing companies aiming to bring in talent from overseas.
- Health & Care Worker Sponsor Licence: Essential for healthcare and social care providers recruiting staff from abroad.
Quick Read: Mastering the UK Visa Interview Questions and Answers in 2025
Eligibility Requirements to Apply for the UK Skilled Worker Visa
To be eligible for the UK Skilled Worker Visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- Secure a job offer from a UK employer approved and licensed by the Home Office.
- Obtain a certificate of sponsorship from your employer.
- Possess a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
- Accumulate at least 70 points across various categories such as specific skills, qualifications, salaries, and professions.
- Meet the minimum salary criteria.
- Fulfill the English language proficiency requirements.
Occupation Shortage List UK: Application Process to UK Skilled Worker Visa
Having understood the eligibility requirements to qualify for skilled jobs UK, let us also know the application process to apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa. This includes:
- Step 1: Check Your Eligibility Make sure you meet the requirements for the Skilled Worker visa, including qualifications and job offer compatibility.
- Step 2: Get a Job Offer: Secure a job offer from a licensed employer in the UK who's willing to sponsor you.
- Step 3: Get Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Once you have a job offer, your employer will provide you with a CoS, confirming their sponsorship.
- Step 4: Gather Your Documents: Gather all the documents needed to prove you're eligible for the Skilled Worker visa, like your qualifications and passport.
- Step 5: Fill Out the Online Application: Complete the online application form for the Skilled Worker visa, making sure to provide accurate information.
- Step 6: Pay Your Fees: Pay the necessary fees for your application, including the application fee, biometric fee, and healthcare surcharge.
- Step 7: Submit Your Application: Upload any required documents and submit your visa application online.
Fulfill Your Dream to Work in the UK With GetGIS Assistance
Ready to turn your dream of working in the UK into reality? With GetGIS by your side, navigating the complexities of visa applications and job opportunities becomes seamless. Take the first step towards your UK career today!
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