An important development has emerged for UK employers recruiting overseas workers and candidates planning to work in the country under the Skilled Worker visa route.
On 23 July 2026, the UK Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published the second-stage report of its review of the Temporary Shortage List (TSL). The report includes significant recommendations regarding which occupations may continue to qualify for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route in the future.
The Temporary Shortage List, or TSL, is a special list created for medium-skilled occupations experiencing labour shortages in the UK.
Under the new immigration rules, the Skilled Worker visa is primarily focused on occupations at degree level, classified as RQF Level 6. However, an exception applies to certain occupations at RQF Levels 3 to 5 that appear on the TSL, allowing employers to sponsor overseas workers for these roles.
According to the MAC’s second-stage report, only 28 occupations should be included on the new list, replacing the 52 occupations currently covered by the temporary TSL.
Another notable recommendation is that all occupations included on the list should remain eligible for only a temporary period of 18 months. This period is expected to run from 1 January 2027 to 30 June 2028.
This means occupations would no longer remain on the list automatically for three years. Instead, each occupation would be reassessed individually.
The MAC has recommended retaining 20 occupations from the current list and adding eight new occupations.
The main occupational groups highlighted include:
The MAC considers that labour shortages are continuing in these sectors and that there is still a short-term need to recruit workers from overseas.
The report recommends that certain occupations should no longer be included on the Temporary Shortage List.
These include:
For these occupations, obtaining sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route may become more difficult in the future.
If the recommendations are accepted, two groups are likely to experience the greatest impact.
The first group is UK employers seeking to recruit workers from overseas. Sponsorship opportunities for medium-skilled occupations outside the TSL could be significantly restricted.
The second group is foreign nationals planning to work in the UK. If their occupation is not included on the list, their ability to apply for a Skilled Worker visa may be substantially reduced.
The MAC report only considers which occupations should be included on the Temporary Shortage List in the future.
It does not recommend any loss of rights for individuals who already hold a Skilled Worker visa. Employees who continue to meet the relevant requirements under the existing rules should still be able to extend their visas and, when eligible, apply for indefinite leave to remain.
The most important point to remember is that the MAC report is advisory only.
The UK government has not yet confirmed whether it will accept these recommendations. Details regarding how the new system would be implemented and whether any transitional arrangements would apply also remain unclear.
The government’s decision in the coming months will be highly significant for both UK employers and the thousands of people planning to work in the United Kingdom.
IAA Immigration Advisor
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Lex Legal Limited is an international legal consultancy firm that located in the heart of London. Our areas of expertise and services include legal advice globally as well as immigration consultancy.
Our partner of legal professionals offer considered and comprehensive advice to make an informed decision. We resolve all complex immigration issues and Golden visa programs and work with clients from the initial stages throughout the process which could take up to three months.
Meridien House
42 Upper Berkeley Street
W1H 5PW
London, England
+44 7739 699 968
+44 20 3988 0575
contact@lexlegal.com
