The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) was once a central feature of the UK’s Skilled Worker visa system. It identified jobs where there weren’t enough resident workers, making it easier and cheaper for UK employers to hire overseas staff.
But as of 4 April 2024, the SOL has been abolished and replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL). Looking ahead, the ISL itself will be replaced by a new Temporary Shortage List due to launch in 2026.
In this guide, we explain:
- What the Shortage Occupation List was
- Why it was scrapped
- How the Immigration Salary List (ISL) works
- What the Temporary Shortage List will mean for employers
- What this means if you’re hiring overseas staff in 2025
What Was the Shortage Occupation List?
The Shortage Occupation List was part of the UK’s points-based immigration system.
It set out job roles where there were not enough UK-based workers to fill demand. If a role was on the list, employers could:
- Sponsor overseas workers at a reduced salary threshold (80% of the going rate)
- Pay lower government visa fees
- Benefit from a simplified sponsorship process
Roles were recommended for the list by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). The list included jobs in sectors such as:
- Health and social care
- Engineering
- IT and digital
- Education
The End of the Shortage Occupation List
The SOL was scrapped in April 2024 after concerns it was too broad and outdated. Instead of targeting specific roles, the government wanted a system based more on salary thresholds.
That’s why the Immigration Salary List (ISL) was introduced.
Immigration Salary List (ISL) vs Shortage Occupation List
The ISL is shorter than the old SOL and works differently:
- Salary-focused: Instead of listing roles, the ISL allows certain jobs to qualify with a 20% lower salary threshold.
- No going rate discount: Unlike the SOL, which allowed workers to be paid 20% below the standard “going rate” for their job, the ISL only reduces the general threshold.
- Fewer roles: The ISL includes fewer eligible jobs than the SOL, making it harder for employers to rely on it.
👉 See our guide to the Immigration Salary List for full details.
Shortage Occupation List Prior to Closure
Before being abolished, the SOL included a wide range of jobs, from care workers and engineers to teachers and IT professionals.
For example, the final 2023/24 list featured:
- Care workers and senior care workers
- Health professionals (nurses, paramedics, radiographers, pharmacists)
- Teachers in maths, physics, computer science, and modern foreign languages
- Engineering roles such as civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers
Workers in these roles could be sponsored on a Skilled Worker visa at lower salaries, making it easier for care providers, NHS trusts, and other employers to recruit overseas staff.
What’s Next? The Temporary Shortage List
The government’s Immigration White Paper reforms (2025) confirmed that the ISL will be replaced by a Temporary Shortage List (TSL) in December 2026.
The TSL will:
- Identify sectors facing urgent labour shortages
- Apply time-limited measures (hence “temporary”)
- Sit alongside the Skilled Worker visa rules
This new system is designed to be more responsive to fast-changing labour market needs, especially in care, construction, and seasonal roles.
What Employers Should Do in 2025
If you’re planning to hire from overseas:
- Check eligibility against the ISL
The ISL currently determines whether you can sponsor workers on reduced salary thresholds. - Use the correct SOC code
Assigning the right SOC code is essential to avoid compliance issues. - Budget for higher costs
Without the SOL’s discounts, you’ll face full sponsor licence fees and certificate of sponsorship (CoS) costs. - Stay compliant
The Home Office is strict. Failing to meet obligations could result in sponsor licence revocation. - Plan for upcoming changes
The Temporary Shortage List will shake up rules again in 2026. Employers should prepare now.
FAQs on the UK Shortage Occupation List
What is the UK Shortage Occupation List?
It was a list of jobs where the UK had a labour shortage, allowing employers to hire overseas workers on lower salaries and fees.
Is the Shortage Occupation List still in use?
No — it was replaced by the Immigration Salary List in April 2024.
What is the Immigration Salary List?
The ISL allows certain jobs to qualify at reduced salary thresholds. It focuses on pay rather than listing shortage roles.
What will replace the ISL?
The ISL will be replaced by a Temporary Shortage List in 2026.
Does this affect existing visa holders?
No — it only affects new Skilled Worker visa applications and sponsorships.
How Borderless Can Help
At Borderless, we help UK employers stay compliant with immigration changes. Our platform supports:
- Assigning the correct certificate of sponsorship (CoS)
- Managing your sponsor management system (SMS)
- Staying audit-ready with sponsor licence compliance tools
- Tracking visa costs with our visa fees calculator
👉 Get in touch with our team today to secure your overseas recruitment.
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