UK to Cut Shortage Occupation List for Skilled Worker Visas to 28 Roles From 2027

The UK is considering reducing its temporary list of shortage occupations from 52 to 28. Find out which occupations could remain on the list and which will lose their eligibility for a simplified work visa from 2027

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The British government is considering a major crackdown on the route for foreigners to work in mid-skilled jobs. Getting a work visa to the UK under the simplified procedure could become more difficult in the coming years: the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended reducing the Temporary Shortage List (TSL) from 52 to just 28 occupations. If the government adopts the proposal, it will become significantly harder for employers to sponsor foreign professionals for jobs that do not meet the requirements of the standard skilled worker route from 2027.

This is a recommendation, not a final decision. The Cabinet has not yet said whether it will agree with the committee’s conclusions or whether it will provide any transitional period for those who have already applied or plan to do so in the near future.

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What is the Temporary Shortage List and why is it changing?

The Temporary Shortage List was introduced in July 2025 as a temporary mechanism to allow employers to hire foreigners for positions at RQF 3-5 – that is, below the standard threshold set for a regular skilled worker visa, which is now tied mainly to university graduate-level positions. Without inclusion in this list, companies are practically deprived of the legal opportunity to issue a work permit for a foreign specialist with medium qualifications.

On July 23, 2026, the MAC published the second stage of its review, analyzing in detail 46 occupations, supported by the so-called "Jobs Plans" – documents in which industries explain how they plan to train and attract local workers instead of foreign workers. According to the results of the analysis, the committee found only 28 positions to be sufficiently justified.

Read also, from April 8, 2026, the UK increases the cost of ETA, tourist, student and work visas. New rates at the link.

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Which professions will remain on the list, and which may disappear from it?

The new proposed list retains 20 professions from the current temporary list and adds eight new roles. Among the recommended areas:

- data analysts and digital infrastructure specialists;

- engineers and technicians in the manufacturing industry;

- construction specialties;

- certain manufacturing professions.

At the same time, many positions that are currently eligible for simplified registration have disappeared from the draft list. Among them:

- sales specialists in the business sector;

- personnel management specialists;

- legal professions;

- roles in advertising and marketing;

- creative specialties - copywriters, writers, photographers.

If these recommendations are approved, employers will lose the opportunity to sponsor a significant part of medium-skilled positions under the skilled worker program.

The UK is launching new business support programmes that will cover the costs of work visas and expedite sponsorship licences, details in this article.

Conditions for those who get a place on the list will become stricter

The committee also proposed another important change: no profession was recommended to be included for a standard three-year period. Instead, all 28 positions will be able to remain on the list for only 18 months - from January 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028. This does not mean an automatic limitation on the duration of the visa itself for a specific person, but it indicates that the government wants to keep the industry under constant pressure: before gaining access to foreign labour for a longer period, the sector must demonstrate real progress in training and hiring local staff.

This logic is consistent with a European-wide trend: states are increasingly leaving migration channels open only for those directions where the shortage is confirmed by specific data, and not as a reserve for the future.

About available visa programs for working in the UK, the cost of processing, popular vacancies and a step-by-step application algorithm.

What does this mean for those already planning to work in the UK?

For those who are only considering moving to a mid-skill job, this news is a reason to monitor developments more closely, rather than panic. The UK government has yet to confirm whether it will adopt the MAC recommendations and under what conditions they will work. The report also does not suggest any changes for those who already have a valid skilled worker visa in a listed occupation: as long as they meet the current requirements, such workers will still be able to extend their visa and apply for permanent residence.

However, those considering jobs that could disappear from the list – particularly in sales, marketing, law or the creative industries – should consider alternatives in advance or expedite their applications while the current rules are still in place.

New UK visa rules for 2026-2027: tougher English test, shorter stay for students and higher financial requirements.

When should we expect changes to the UK’s shortage list?

The next step is for the UK government. The Cabinet will have to decide whether to approve the MAC recommendations in their current form, when the new list will come into force and whether there will be a transition period for those already in the process of applying. Until a formal decision is made, companies and candidates should focus on the current temporary shortage list, rather than the proposed option.

Changes to the UK immigration system are a good reminder that work visa requirements can change faster than you think, and a missed nuance in a package of documents can cost you a refusal or delay in processing. If you are considering the UK or any other country as a destination for work, it is worth understanding the current procedure in advance, and not relying on outdated information from forums.

The "Work Guide" from Visit World contains step-by-step instructions for applying for both short-term and long-term work visas - from filling out the application form to registering with local authorities - as well as a complete list of documents, fees and practical advice for a specific country. This is especially useful now, when the rules for medium-skilled specialties are becoming increasingly strict.

Order the "Work Guide" from Visit World and get step-by-step instructions for successful employment abroad.

Recall! The UK is on the list of the most desirable destinations for higher education abroad - it is chosen by hundreds of thousands of foreign applicants every year. Before applying, it is worth understanding the ranking of universities in different regions of the country, the financial side of the issue and the conditions for obtaining a student visa. We have already talked about admission to British universities in 2026, tuition fees, language requirements and employment opportunities for international students.

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