Rules reference · gov.uk updated 8 October 2026TL;DRThe Temporary Shortage List makes 52 Medium Skilled (RQF 3–5) occupations sponsorable on the Skilled Worker route, but only for certificates of sponsorship issued before 31 December 2026. It does not lower the salary: the usual £41,700-or-going-rate rules apply. 4 codes cover only named job types.
Temporary Shortage List 2026: all 52 occupations
The Medium Skilled jobs that can still be sponsored as Skilled Workers — and the deadline that ends it. Every entry is quoted from Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 6.1A.
By Manu · Rules last changed 8 October 2026 · Data verified against gov.uk on 19 October 2026
- Occupations
- 52
- Certificates must be issued before
- 31 December 2026
- Salary concession
- None
- Codes limited to named job types
- 4
The full Temporary Shortage List
| SOC | Occupation | Only these job types | Going rate | Also on ISL? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1243 | Managers in logistics | All jobs in the code | £44,900 | No |
| 1258 | Directors in consultancy services | All jobs in the code | £70,100 | No |
| 3111 | Laboratory technicians | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | Yes (until 31 December 2026) |
| 3112 | Electrical and electronics technicians | All jobs in the code | £39,300 | No |
| 3113 | Engineering technicians | All jobs in the code | £42,500 | No |
| 3114 | Building and civil engineering technicians | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | No |
| 3115 | Quality assurance technicians | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | No |
| 3116 | Planning, process and production technicians | All jobs in the code | £34,800 | No |
| 3120 | CAD, drawing and architectural technicians | All jobs in the code | £33,800 | No |
| 3131 | IT operations technicians | All jobs in the code | £35,200 | No |
| 3132 | IT user support technicians | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | No |
| 3133 | Database administrators and web content technicians | All jobs in the code | £34,600 | No |
| 3412 | Authors, writers and translators | All jobs in the code | £36,100 | No |
| 3414 | Dancers and choreographers | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | Yes (until 31 December 2026) |
| 3417 | Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | No |
| 3422 | Clothing, fashion and accessories designers | All jobs in the code | £36,500 | No |
| 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 | £39,300 | No |
| 3512 | Ship and hovercraft officers | All jobs in the code | £58,300 | No |
| 3520 | Legal associate professionals | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | No |
| 3532 | Insurance underwriters | All jobs in the code | £36,500 | No |
| 3533 | Financial and accounting technicians | All jobs in the code | £48,700 | No |
| 3541 | Estimators, valuers and assessors | All jobs in the code | £35,300 | No |
| 3544 | Data analysts | All jobs in the code | £34,900 | No |
| 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 | £33,400 | No |
| 3552 | Business sales executives | All jobs in the code | £36,700 | No |
| 3554 | Advertising and marketing associate professionals | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | No |
| 3571 | Human resources and industrial relations officers | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | No |
| 3573 | Information technology trainers | All jobs in the code | £40,000 | No |
| 4121 | Credit controllers | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | No |
| 4122 | Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | No |
| 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 | £33,400 | No |
| 4132 | Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | No |
| 5213 | Welding trades | All jobs in the code | £34,900 | Yes (until 31 December 2026) |
| 5214 | Pipe fitters | All jobs in the code | £46,000 | No |
| 5223 | Metal working production and maintenance fitters | All jobs in the code | £39,300 | No |
| 5225 | Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers | All jobs in the code | £41,100 | No |
| 5231 | Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians | All jobs in the code | £35,500 | No |
| 5232 | Vehicle body builders and repairers | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | No |
| 5233 | Vehicle paint technicians | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | No |
| 5235 | Boat and ship builders and repairers | All jobs in the code | £33,700 | Yes (until 31 December 2026) |
| 5241 | Electricians and electrical fitters | All jobs in the code | £38,800 | No |
| 5242 | Telecoms and related network installers and repairers | All jobs in the code | £36,700 | No |
| 5244 | Computer system and equipment installers and servicers | All jobs in the code | £35,100 | No |
| 5245 | Security system installers and repairers | All jobs in the code | £36,300 | No |
| 5249 | Electrical and electronic trades not elsewhere classified | All jobs in the code | £45,800 | No |
| 5311 | Steel erectors | All jobs in the code | £35,000 | No |
| 5315 | Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers | All jobs in the code | £38,100 | No |
| 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 | £33,400 | Yes (until 31 December 2026) |
| 5322 | Floorers and wall tilers | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | No |
| 5323 | Painters and decorators | All jobs in the code | £33,400 | No |
| 5330 | Construction and building trades supervisors | All jobs in the code | £41,800 | No |
| 8133 | Energy plant operatives | All jobs in the code | £41,500 | No |
How it fits with the other lists
Appendix Skilled Worker SW 6.1 lets a job be sponsored if its SOC code is eligible in the main going-rate tables (RQF 6+), on the Immigration Salary List, on this Temporary Shortage List, or — for people who already held Skilled Worker permission before 22 July 2025 with continuous permission since — in the transitional tables. Look up any code’s status on its SOC code page.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Temporary Shortage List?
- A list in Appendix Skilled Worker (SW 6.1A) of 52 Medium Skilled (RQF 3–5) occupations that can still be sponsored as Skilled Workers, even though they are below the usual RQF 6 skill level. An occupation is only included where the certificate of sponsorship was issued before 31 December 2026.
- When does the Temporary Shortage List end?
- The Rules include an occupation only where "an application has been made using a certificate of sponsorship issued by a sponsor to an applicant before 31 December 2026". Certificates issued on or after that date can't rely on it.
- Does the Temporary Shortage List lower the salary threshold?
- No. It relaxes the skill level only. The usual Skilled Worker salary options apply — typically the higher of £41,700 and the occupation's going rate, or the new-entrant rate (70% of the going rate, £33,400 floor) if you qualify. The salary concession belongs to the separate Immigration Salary List.
- Is every job in a listed SOC code covered?
- Not always. 4 codes are limited to named job types — for example SOC 3429 covers only: Industrial and product designers, Packaging designers, Performance make-up artists, Set designers, Visual merchandising managers and designers.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker (SW 6.1 and SW 6.1A) (updated 8 October 2026). Parsed and verified 19 October 2026.