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What is the Immigration Salary List
The UK’s Shortage Occupation List is a register of jobs currently facing a shortage of skilled workers within the resident labor market. To address these shortages, the government supports facilitated immigration options for employers to recruit overseas workers in these roles.
This list is regularly reviewed and updated by the UK government to reflect changes in the labor market and ensure it accurately represents sectors with genuine skill shortages.
Jobs on the list typically require specific skills, qualifications, and experience. Common professions historically included are healthcare professionals (such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists), engineers (especially in civil, structural, and oil & gas sectors), and IT professionals (such as software developers, network engineers, and cybersecurity specialists).
To qualify for the Shortage Occupation List, a job must meet the minimum skills requirements of the Skilled Worker route.
The list is reviewed annually, with recommendations provided by the Migration Advisory Committee, and is published as Appendix Shortage Occupation List within the Immigration Rules.
The Benefits of a Job Being on the Shortage Occupation List
The main benefits of a job being on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) include:
Easier sponsorship: Employers applying for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence find it easier to demonstrate a genuine vacancy.
Lower salary threshold: Employers may pay migrant workers 20% less than the standard going rate for the job, and the general salary threshold is also reduced by 20%.
Reduced visa fees: Visa costs for occupations on the SOL are approximately 30% less than for a standard Skilled Worker visa.
Supplementary work allowed: Workers can undertake supplementary employment alongside their sponsored job.
Work rights for asylum seekers: Asylum seekers whose claims have been under consideration for 12 months can request permission to work in a Shortage Occupation job.
Recommendations of the Migration Advisory Committee
In March 2023, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) reviewed the current Shortage Occupation List and made several key recommendations for the future:
The benefit of a 20% lower pay threshold should be removed from shortage occupations where the going rate is already above the standard threshold of £25,600.
Lower-paid jobs in the construction and hospitality industries have been considered, with some roles recommended for inclusion on the Shortage Occupation List.
These recommendations aim to better align immigration policy with labour market needs and wage standards.
MAC Recommendations for Jobs in Construction
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended the following construction jobs, which are not currently on the Shortage Occupation List, for possible inclusion:
Bricklayers and masons (SOC 5312)
Roofers, roof tilers and slaters (SOC 5313)
Carpenters and joiners (SOC 5315)
Plasterers (dry liners but not ceiling fixers) (SOC 5312)
Construction and building trades not listed elsewhere (SOC 5319)
These occupations may be added to the Shortage Occupation List later in 2023, subject to parliamentary approval.
The following construction jobs were considered but not recommended for inclusion:
Steel erectors
Scaffolders, stagers and riggers
Road construction operatives
Mobile machine drivers and operatives not included elsewhere
MAC Recommendations for Occupations in Hospitality
Despite acknowledged shortages in the hospitality sector, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) did not recommend adding any hospitality occupations to the Shortage Occupation List.
Jobs considered included:
Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors
Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors
Chefs
Catering and bar managers
Waiters and waitresses
MAC has requested more evidence to consider regrading sommeliers within RQF levels 3 to 5 occupations.
It was suggested that occupations below RQF level 3—such as waiters and waitresses, bar staff, kitchen and catering assistants, and cooks—may be more suitable for Youth Mobility Scheme migrants and international students permitted to work part-time during studies. These roles are also available without sponsorship for UK graduates and High Potential Individuals
Shortage Occupation List for Health and Care Professionals
No specific changes have been proposed for health and care professions. The Shortage Occupation List will continue to include the following roles:
Medical practitioners
Psychologists
Pharmacists
Ophthalmic opticians
Medical radiographers
Occupational therapists
Paramedical practitioners
Physiotherapists
Speech and language therapists
Nurses
Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
Care workers and home carers
Senior care workers
Health and care professionals benefit from being on the Shortage Occupation List primarily in the context of supplementary employment.
Skilled workers sponsored under other SOC codes may undertake supplementary employment in shortage occupation professions without needing additional sponsorship for that job.
Additionally, jobs on the Shortage Occupation List are available to individuals awaiting a decision on their asylum application.
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Do you have a question about sponsorship in a Shortage Occupation job?
ZAR Immigration consultants have expert knowledge to help you navigate immigration rules and meet your recruitment needs with confidence, ensuring full compliance with the law.
For advice on whether your job description fully corresponds to the relevant SOC code and if the job benefits from being on the Shortage Occupation List, book a consultation with one of our immigration experts.
Alternatively, you can book a free meeting to discuss your needs as a sponsor and explore how we may assist you.