UK Temporary Shortage List 2026: Which Jobs Still Offer Visa Sponsorship — and Which May Disappear

If you are searching for a UK job that comes with visa sponsorship in 2026 but you do not hold a university degree, the Temporary Shortage List is the one route you need to understand. It is the narrow door the Home Office has left open for certain mid-skilled jobs after the 2025 immigration overhaul closed most non-graduate roles to sponsorship. But that door is on a timer — and a decisive government report due in July 2026 will decide which jobs stay on the list into 2027.

Here is the honest picture, in plain English, with the specific figures and dates you need to plan around.

Quick answer: The UK Temporary Shortage List (TSL) is an interim list that lets employers sponsor workers for selected mid-skilled jobs (roughly RQF Levels 3–5) that would otherwise be too “low-skilled” to qualify after July 2025. Roles usually require a salary of £33,400 a year or the job’s going rate, whichever is higher. Workers on these roles cannot bring dependants, and every current entry is set to expire on 31 December 2026 unless the government extends it.

What the Temporary Shortage List actually is

The TSL came out of the UK’s Immigration White Paper published in May 2025 and was written into the Immigration Rules in July 2025. It replaces the older Immigration Salary List (ISL) for medium-skilled roles and works as a deliberate exception to the main rule.

That main rule is the important context. Since 22 July 2025, the Skilled Worker visa generally only covers jobs at RQF Level 6 — degree level — with a general minimum salary of £41,700 a year or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher. That single change removed a large batch of previously sponsorable jobs from the route.

The TSL exists to soften that blow in sectors the UK considers strategically important. It keeps a defined set of lower-skilled roles sponsorable, but on tighter terms and only for a limited time. Think of it as a short-term bridge, not a permanent lane.

Why July 2026 is the date that matters

The current TSL is described as interim. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) — the independent body that advises the government on immigration — is running a two-stage review to decide what a permanent list should look like.

• Stage 1 (completed October 2025): the MAC set out how the list should work and shortlisted 82 occupations at RQF Levels 3–5 as potentially crucial to the UK’s Industrial Strategy or critical infrastructure.
• Stage 2 (running to July 2026): the MAC gathered evidence through a Call for Evidence that closed in February 2026, and is now assessing whether each shortlisted job is genuinely in shortage and whether its sector has a credible “Jobs Plan” to train more domestic workers.

The MAC’s final Stage 2 report is due in July 2026. Crucially, the committee has said plainly that the final list will be shorter than the current 82 occupations. Some independent analysts estimate the permanent list could land somewhere between roughly 40 and 60 roles, though nothing is confirmed until the report is published and ministers decide.

On top of that, every entry on the interim TSL — and the old ISL — is scheduled to lapse on 31 December 2026 unless the government extends it. So the July 2026 report, followed by the December 2026 cliff edge, makes this a genuinely time-sensitive route. If a job is on the list today, that is not a guarantee it will be sponsorable in 2027.

Which jobs are on the shortlist right now

The 82 occupations the MAC carried into Stage 2 span several sectors flagged as priorities, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital and technology, life sciences, defence, financial services, creative industries, construction and key infrastructure.

Real examples reported from that shortlist include:

• Construction and trades: bricklayers, welders, boat and ship builders and repairers
• Technical and engineering: IT support technicians, laboratory technicians, building and civil engineering technicians, aircraft maintenance trades, air-conditioning and refrigeration installers
• Business and admin: book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks
• Creative industries: actors, entertainers and presenters; artists; authors, writers and translators

Two cautions here. First, being on the Stage 2 shortlist is not the same as being confirmed on a permanent list — some of these roles may not survive the July 2026 review. Second, the only authoritative, up-to-date list of sponsorable occupations and their exact SOC codes is published by the Home Office in Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK. Always check the live page, because roles can be added or removed.

The salary you need — and the catches most articles skip

For jobs sponsored under the TSL, the reported minimum salary is £33,400 a year, or the going rate for that specific occupation code, whichever is higher. That is lower than the £41,700 that applies to standard degree-level Skilled Worker roles, which is exactly why the list matters to workers in mid-skilled trades.

But the trade-offs are real, and you should weigh them before you set your heart on this route:

• No dependants. Workers sponsored on a TSL role at RQF Levels 3–5 generally cannot bring a partner or children to the UK. If keeping your family together is a priority, this route may not be right for you.
• No salary discount. Unlike the old ISL, which allowed 80% of the usual rate, the TSL does not offer a percentage discount below its own threshold.
• Time-limited by design. Roles are intended to sit on the list for a defined period — typically up to three years, with some sectors possibly getting only an 18-month initial listing if their Jobs Plan is still developing.
• Can be removed without much notice. The Home Office can drop an occupation if the shortage eases or if there are compliance concerns.

How the TSL differs from the standard Skilled Worker route

It helps to see the two routes side by side. The standard Skilled Worker route covers degree-level (RQF 6) jobs, pays from £41,700 or the going rate, lets you bring dependants, and offers a normal path toward settlement. The TSL route covers selected mid-skilled (RQF 3–5) jobs, pays from £33,400 or the going rate, does not allow dependants, and is time-limited and under active review.

In both cases you still need the same core things: a job offer from an employer that holds a valid UK sponsor licence, a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for your specific role, English at the required level (the Skilled Worker route now assesses English at B2 from January 2026), and proof of maintenance funds — usually at least £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days, unless your employer certifies your maintenance on the CoS.

What the July 2026 report could change

Nobody can tell you the final list before the MAC publishes it, and anyone promising a “guaranteed” outcome is guessing. What the evidence does tell us:

• The permanent list will be shorter than 82 roles.
• Sectors with strong, government-aligned Jobs Plans and clear shortage data have the best odds of keeping their roles.
• Sectors that do not map neatly onto the UK’s Industrial Strategy — hospitality has been flagged as structurally exposed — face a harder road, regardless of how real their shortages are.
• Some roles may only get an 18-month provisional listing rather than a full three years.

For a jobseeker, the practical takeaway is timing. If a role you qualify for is currently sponsorable, moving sooner rather than later reduces the risk of the route closing under you. But never rush into an offer without checking it is genuine (more on that below).

How to actually find these jobs — safely

1. Confirm the role is live on GOV.UK. Before you invest time in an application, check that the occupation and SOC code appear on the current Temporary Shortage List in Appendix Skilled Occupations.
2. Check the employer holds a sponsor licence. The Home Office publishes a register of licensed sponsors. If a company is not on it, they cannot legally sponsor you — no matter what they promise.
3. Search on reputable job boards and filter for “visa sponsorship.” Ask the employer directly, early, whether the specific role qualifies at RQF 6 under a different code or only under the TSL — because that changes your dependant rights.
4. Get your documents ready: CV, qualifications, proof of relevant experience, and an English test booking if you need one.

A serious scam warning

Visa sponsorship is one of the most heavily targeted areas for online fraud, and desperate jobseekers are the target. Protect yourself:

• No legitimate UK employer or the Home Office will ask you to pay for a Certificate of Sponsorship or a job offer. The Immigration Skills Charge and sponsorship costs are the employer’s legal responsibility, not yours.
• Be wary of “agents” who guarantee a UK visa, ask for money up front over WhatsApp, or refuse to name the sponsoring company.
• Never send passport scans or pay “processing fees” to unverified recruiters.
• Cross-check any offer against the official GOV.UK sponsor register before responding.

If an offer feels too easy or too urgent, treat that as a red flag, not an opportunity.

Key Takeaways

• The UK Temporary Shortage List 2026 is the main route keeping selected mid-skilled (RQF 3–5) jobs sponsorable after the July 2025 reforms pushed most roles to degree level.
• Typical salary floor is £33,400 or the going rate, whichever is higher — but no dependants are allowed and roles are time-limited.
• 82 occupations are under Stage 2 review; the MAC’s final report is due July 2026, and the list will be shorter than it is now.
• Every current TSL and ISL entry is set to expire on 31 December 2026 unless extended.
• Always confirm the role on GOV.UK and check the employer is a licensed sponsor — and never pay for sponsorship.

also read: uk-skilled-worker-visa-2026/

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