Why We Had a Shortage List
The UK created the Shortage Occupation List to track jobs for which we didn't have enough skilled UK workers. Think of it as a master list of jobs for which we needed help from overseas workers.
As of April 2024, the UK government replaced the SOL with the ISL, removing several eligible occupations and introducing higher salary thresholds for most foreign workers.
Under the ISL, the discounted salary threshold for sponsored workers increased to £30,960, except for roles covered by the Health & Care Worker visa, which have lower thresholds.
The UK government scrapped the SOL to reduce net migration, prevent employers from underpaying foreign workers, and encourage domestic workforce training. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) had previously recommended its removal due to wage suppression and system misuse concerns.
Employers now face higher costs when hiring foreign workers, as salary thresholds are based on the 50th percentile of market rates rather than a discounted rate. Understanding Skilled Worker visa requirements, including Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes, is now more critical for businesses navigating the new system.
Table of contents
The UK Shortage Occupation List (SOL) was a government-maintained list of jobs without enough UK workers to meet demand. Jobs on this list had more relaxed eligibility requirements for work visas, making it easier for UK businesses to sponsor skilled workers from overseas to fill these positions.
Some key features of the SOL:
Common occupations that were frequently on the list included:
The UK created the Shortage Occupation List to track jobs for which we didn't have enough skilled UK workers. Think of it as a master list of jobs for which we needed help from overseas workers.
When a job was on this list, employers could hire foreign workers more efficiently by:
This list was kept up to date by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). The MAC is an independent group of experts who monitor the job market and tell the government which jobs require overseas workers.
The pay rules were more straightforward for jobs that were short-staffed than for other roles that needed foreign workers. This made hiring people with the skills we needed faster and cheaper.
The Skilled Worker visa has been the main route for overseas professionals moving to the UK for work. The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) identified roles affected by a shortage of workers in the UK labour market. Jobs on this list benefited from lower salary thresholds, allowing applicants to be paid 80% of the going rate for their occupation.
The SOL comprised two categories which faced skill shortages before the SOL was abolished in April 2024:
These roles spanned multiple sectors:
These roles were subject to national pay scales rather than the 80% salary threshold:
Under the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), a UK employer with a sponsorship licence could hire overseas workers on a Skilled Worker visa more efficiently, benefiting from a 20% salary discount on the general salary threshold.
To do so, they had to meet the eligibility requirements, ensuring the job role specified the Standard Occupational Classification Code (SOC code) from the approved list. The employer would then issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), allowing the worker to apply for a Skilled Worker visa.
However, with the transition to the UK Immigration Salary List (ISL) in April 2024, a few occupation codes were removed. While eligible Skilled Worker occupation codes on the ISL can still receive a 20% discount on the general salary threshold, they are now required to meet the higher salary threshold of £30,960. However, occupations covered by the Health & Care Worker visa still qualify for the lower threshold of £23,200.
In December 2023, the UK government announced it would end the Shortage Occupation List as part of broader immigration reforms aimed at reducing net migration. The UK government had asked the Migration Advisory Committee to rapidly review the Immigration Salary List. In its report, the MAC raised concerns that the SOL was being used too broadly and recommended its removal. Key issues highlighted included:
The government gave several reasons for scrapping the SOL:
The change took effect in April 2024, replacing the SOL with the Immigration Salary List. Under the new system, foreign workers must meet higher salary thresholds, except those in health and social care roles. The changes aimed to ensure that foreign workers receive salaries closer to market rates, thus preventing exploitation and guaranteeing fair wages for all employees.
The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) played a key role in the UK Skilled Worker visa system by identifying roles with labour shortages and allowing UK employers with a sponsor licence to hire overseas workers more efficiently. The SOL provides benefits such as salary discounts and reduced visa fees, creating a streamlined process for businesses to sponsor skilled foreign talent in crucial sectors.
However, as of 4 April 2024, the UK government replaced the SOL with the Immigration Salary List (ISL), shifting the focus from specific occupations to salary thresholds as the primary visa eligibility criterion. While the ISL acknowledges labour shortages, it removes specific eligible jobs and introduces higher general salary thresholds, particularly for non-healthcare roles. This change aims to ensure that migration remains a targeted response to skill gaps, but it also places a more significant financial burden on employers looking to sponsor overseas talent. As businesses adapt to these new rules, understanding the eligibility requirements, SOC codes, and salary thresholds will be crucial for navigating the updated Skilled Worker visa system.
Founder & Principal
Qiyin is an industry expert with more than 15 years of legal experience. She graduated from the University of Manchester with an LL.B (Hons) in Law and an LLM in International Business Law. Initially trained in Corporate Law, she was inspired to pursue Immigration Law following a personal Visa experience. In 2011, Qiyin founded QC Immigration from frustration of the quality of client service in the market, plus the desire to build a healthier company culture. As a highly-skilled migrant herself, Qiyin fully understands the complicated circumstances and high expectations of our clients. She has proven victories in defending our clients’ businesses, children’s best interests, women’s rights, LGBT rights and challenging Home Office refusals. Our returning clients typically stay with us for over 6 years from obtaining their very first visa until British citizenship. Qiyin regularly provides mentoring, training and supervision to other lawyers in their pursuit for similar successes.