What Is the Temporary Shortage List?
The Temporary Shortage List (TSL) is a UK immigration mechanism that allows certain occupations below degree level to qualify for Skilled Worker sponsorship where there is evidence of labour shortages, strategic economic importance and a commitment from employers to strengthen domestic workforce development.
Why Is the Temporary Shortage List Important?
The Temporary Shortage List (TSL) was introduced on 22 July 2025 to allow certain sub-degree level occupations to remain eligible to qualify for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route and where these occupations were linked to sectors important to the UK’s Industrial Strategy.
Unlike previous shortage occupation frameworks, the TSL places greater emphasis on long-term workforce planning. The Government has made it clear that access to international talent should support economic growth while encouraging sectors to build sustainable UK talent pipelines.
To qualify for inclusion on the TSL, occupations at RQF Levels 3–5 (broadly A-Level to Higher National Diploma level) generally need to meet three key criteria:
- The role supports the Government's Industrial Strategy or critical infrastructure programmes;
- There is evidence of a genuine labour shortage
- The sector has produced a credible workforce strategy (referred to as a "Jobs Plan") explaining how employers will increase recruitment, retention and training of the UK workforce over time.
The MAC has made clear that immigration access is increasingly being viewed as a temporary solution whilst sectors develop domestic talent pipelines.
Which Occupations Has the MAC Recommended Should Remain Eligible?
The MAC has recommended that the following 28 occupations remain eligible under the Temporary Shortage List for a further 18 months.
Engineering, Manufacturing and Technical Roles
- Electrical and electronics technicians
- Engineering technicians
- Sheet metal workers
- Metal machining setters and setter-operators
- Metal working production and maintenance fitters
- Welding trades
- Boat and ship builders and repairers
- Planning, process and production technicians
- Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations
- Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c. (Overhead Line Workers only)
- Telecoms and related network installers and repairers
- Chemical and related process operatives
- CAD, drawing and architectural technicians
Digital and Data Roles
- Database administrators and web content technicians
- Data analysts
Construction and Infrastructure Roles
- Building and civil engineering technicians
- Pipe fitters
- Electricians and electrical fitters
- Bricklayers
- Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
- Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers
- Carpenters and joiners
- Construction and building trades n.e.c. (Building Envelope Specialists and Curtain Wall Installers only)
- Plasterers
- Floorers and wall tilers
- Painters and decorators
- Construction and building trades supervisors
Maritime Roles
- Ship and hovercraft officers
These occupations were considered by the MAC to have the strongest combination of:
- Strategic importance;
- Evidence of shortage; and
- Workforce plans that demonstrated at least some commitment to reducing future reliance on migrant labour.
Which Roles Could Lose Access to Sponsorship?
The Committee reviewed 82 occupations but recommended only 28 for continued inclusion.
This means that around 54 occupations reviewed by the MAC have not been recommended for continued inclusion and may lose access to Skilled Worker sponsorship for new applicants if the Government adopts the recommendations.
The report specifically references office-based occupations as examples of roles where ongoing access was not justified, such as:
- Marketing Associate Professionals
- Sales Accounts and Business Development Managers
The full report contains occupation-by-occupation analysis, but the key message for employers is clear: businesses that rely on occupations not included in the recommended list should review their future recruitment strategies and workforce planning now.
Related reading: These recommendations build on the major Skilled Worker reforms introduced in July 2025, when more than 180 occupations were removed from sponsorship eligibility. Read our previous update: Occupations Removed from Skilled Worker Sponsorship – July 2025 Immigration Update.
What Happens Next?
It is important to remember that the MAC's report is advisory only.
The Government must now decide whether to accept the recommendations and implement the new Temporary Shortage List. At the time of writing:
- The MAC has submitted its recommendations to the Home Secretary;
- The Government has not yet formally confirmed which recommendations it will accept; and
- No commencement date has yet been announced for implementation of the final list.
Until changes are formally introduced through updates to the Immigration Rules, current sponsorship arrangements remain in place.
When Could the New Temporary Shortage List Take Effect?
The MAC report itself does not specify an implementation date.
However, when the when the TSL was introduced in July 2025 it was stated that the list was temporary and for Certificate of Sponsorships (CoS) assigned between 22 July 2025 to 31 December 2026.
Therefore, with the current ‘mood music’ emanating from the Home Office and the importance that Burnham’s new government has placed on solving the current youth unemployment crisis, one can assume that the new recommendations will be adopted and the new list will take effect from 1 January 2027.
Further announcements and amendments to the Immigration Rules will be required before any changes take legal effect.
Transitional Protection for Existing Sponsored Workers
One reassuring aspect of the Government's immigration reforms is that workers who are already sponsored in occupations that later lose TSL eligibility are expected to retain protection under transitional arrangements.
The Government's 2025 reforms indicated that workers already sponsored in TSL-level occupations would continue to be able to:
- Extend their Skilled Worker permission
- Change employer within the Skilled Worker route where eligible
- Continue their immigration journey even if their occupation is subsequently removed from the new list.
This protection is particularly important for employers with established sponsored workforces and helps avoid disruption to existing staff. Employers should nevertheless continue monitoring future Immigration Rules to ensure they understand the scope of any transitional arrangements implemented.
5 Actions Employers Should Take Now
1. Review Your Sponsored Workforce
Identify whether any of your current sponsored workers are employed in occupations currently under review. Employers should understand:
- Which SOC codes they rely upon;
- When sponsored workers' visas expire; and
- Whether future recruitment may be affected by the proposed changes
2. Consider Accelerating Recruitment Plans
Businesses that anticipate sponsoring workers in occupations potentially at risk of removal should consider whether recruitment plans need to be accelerated before any future rule changes come into force.
3. Strengthen Evidence of Skills Shortages
The MAC has repeatedly emphasised the importance of demonstrating genuine labour shortages. Employers should retain evidence of:
- Recruitment campaigns
- Vacancy levels
- Difficulties sourcing suitably qualified UK workers
- Training investment
- Workforce retention initiatives
4. Increase Investment in UK Talent
A recurring theme throughout the MAC report is that immigration access should not substitute investment in the domestic workforce. Businesses should consider enhancing:
- Apprenticeship schemes
- Graduate programmes
- Upskilling initiatives
- Internal training pathways
- Career development frameworks
- Employee retention strategies
These measures may become increasingly important in future immigration policy discussions.
5. Monitor Immigration Developments Closely
The MAC has stated openly that it adopted a relatively pragmatic approach during this first review and gave several sectors the benefit of the doubt. The Committee indicated that future reviews are likely to be significantly more demanding and place far greater emphasis on evidence that sectors are reducing dependence on overseas labour.
What This Means for Sponsor Licence Holders
The MAC's recommendations represent another significant step in the UK government's wider strategy to reduce net migration whilst linking immigration policy more closely to domestic skills development.
The overall direction of travel is becoming increasingly clear: sponsorship is no longer being viewed as a long-term answer to labour shortages. Instead, employers will be expected to demonstrate meaningful investment in training, retaining and developing the domestic workforce.
For sponsor licence holders, the immediate priority should be understanding which occupations they rely upon, assessing future recruitment risks and ensuring workforce planning aligns with the changing immigration landscape.
Those who prepare now will be far better equipped to navigate the next phase of UK immigration reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MAC's Temporary Shortage List recommendation legally binding?
No. The MAC provides recommendations to the Government, but no changes take effect until they are implemented through amendments to the Immigration Rules.
Will existing sponsored workers be affected?
Current proposals suggest that workers already sponsored in eligible occupations will benefit from transitional arrangements that allow them to continue their immigration journey.
When will the new Temporary Shortage List come into force?
The Government has not yet confirmed an implementation date. However, any revised list is widely expected to apply after the current temporary arrangements expire on 31 December 2026.
Which occupations could lose sponsorship eligibility?
Occupations not recommended by the MAC for continued inclusion may lose access to Skilled Worker sponsorship for new applicants if the Government adopts the recommendations.
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