The Skilled Worker visa has introduced a significant shift in allowing foreign nationals to contribute to the UK workforce. It is one of the part of work while studying in UK. This is conditional, however, upon the prospective occupation aligning with the Skill Shortage Occupation List, a fundamental component of the Skilled Worker visa framework. The meticulous curation of this list is overseen by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which diligently identifies occupations based on the discernible needs and demands of UK enterprises. In essence, the list reflects industries experiencing a dearth of local workforces, necessitating international expertise to fill the void. The Skill Shortage Occupation List enables employers to streamline the recruitment process for the roles listed therein.

UK Skill Shortage Occupation List

Some shortage of jobs in UK along with occupation code and specializations are tabulated below:

Occupation code

Shortage occupations and jobs

Specializations

Shortage in areas of UK

Annual salary (80% of going rate)

2111

Chemical scientists

Nuclear industry

Scotland only

19.6 lakhs

2112

Biochemists and biological scientists

All jobs

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

21.8 lakhs

2113

Physical scientists: engineering geologist; hydrogeologist; geophysicist

Construction-related ground engineering

26.8 lakhs

2113

Physical scientists: engineering geologist; geophysicist; geoscientist; geochemist; technical services manager; senior resource geologist and staff geologist

Oil and gas

26.8 lakhs

2114

Social and humanities scientists

Archaeologists

19.02 lakhs

2121

Civil engineers

All jobs

25.7 lakhs

2122

Mechanical engineers

All jobs

24.6 lakhs

2123

Electrical engineers

All jobs

27.2 lakhs

2124

Electronics engineers

All jobs

25.5 lakhs

2126

Design and development engineers

All jobs

25.12 lakhs

2127

Production and process engineers

All jobs

24.3 lakhs

2129

Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified

All jobs

24.02 lakhs

2135

Architects, IT business analysts, and systems designers

All jobs

26.8 lakhs

2136

Programmers and software development professionals

All jobs

24.4 lakhs

2137

Web design and development professionals

All jobs

19.09 lakhs

2139

Communications professionals and information technology not elsewhere classified

Cyber security specialists

23.3 lakhs

2216

Veterinarians

All jobs

23.8 lakhs

2425

Economists, actuaries, and statisticians

Bio-informaticians and informaticians

24.08 lakhs

2431

Architects

All jobs

25.7 lakhs

2461

Quality control and planning engineers

All jobs

22.3 lakhs

3411

Artists

All jobs

15.4 lakhs

3414

Classical ballet/ skilled contemporary dancers; The company was endorsed by a UK Industry

Dancers and choreographers

21.9 lakhs

3415

Skilled orchestral musicians; orchestra recognized by Association of British Orchestras

Musicians

20.2 lakhs

3416

Producers, Art officers, and directors

All jobs

22 lakhs

3421

Graphic designers

All jobs

17.2 lakhs

5215

Welding traders with three or more years of experience

Welding

16.6 lakhs

5434

Skilled chefs with 27.07 lakhs per year with awarded points; 5 or more relevant experience; and the job is not fast food or standard fare outlet AND Executive chef or head chef (1 per establishment); sous chef (1 every 4 kitchen staff per establishment); specialist chef (1 per specialty per establishment)

Chefs

27.05 lakh

What is UK Shortage Occupation List

The UK Shortage Occupation List (SOL) for the Skilled Worker visa in 2023 is a comprehensive compilation of job roles identified by the UK visa immigration authority, the Home Office, as experiencing significant staffing shortages within the country. This list serves as the authorized inventory of occupations for which there is a distinct lack of adequately skilled local workers in the UK. Consequently, the UK aims to address these shortages by welcoming skilled migrant workers through the Skilled Worker visa program.

The Shortage Occupation List, in essence, designates professions in which the availability of appropriately qualified domestic candidates is insufficient to meet industry demands. This results in a practical need to bridge these gaps by welcoming migrant workers with specialized skills and expertise.

Additionally, the Home Office maintains another official list, known as the Appendix Skilled Occupations, which encompasses ALL job roles that qualify for UK sponsored work visas. This comprehensive list is broader than the Shortage Occupation List and encompasses a wide range of professions eligible for skilled work visas in the UK.

FAQs

Ques: What is the UK Skill Shortage Occupation List?

Ans: The UK Skill Shortage Occupation List is an official compilation of job roles where there is a shortage of skilled local workers, allowing employers to hire migrant workers to fill these gaps.

Ques: Why does the UK have a Skill Shortage Occupation List?

Ans: The list addresses labor shortages in specific sectors by allowing employers to hire skilled migrants, contributing to the economy and sustaining essential services.

Ques: Who determines the occupations on the list?

Ans: The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), an independent body, assesses and recommends occupations for inclusion on the list based on labor market data and industry needs.

Ques: What benefits do employers gain from the list?

Ans: Employers hiring for jobs on the list can bypass the resident labor market test, making the recruitment process faster and more streamlined.

Ques: Are jobs on the list given priority in the immigration process?

Ans: Yes, jobs on the Skill Shortage Occupation List receive priority during the visa application process, including faster processing times and lower salary requirements.

Ques: What types of occupations are usually on the list?

Ans: The list typically includes roles in healthcare, technology, engineering, education, and other sectors facing critical shortages.

Ques: Is the list updated regularly?

Ans: Yes, the list is reviewed and updated periodically by the MAC to reflect changing labor market conditions.

Ques: Does being on the list guarantee a job for migrants?

Being on the list increases job opportunities for migrants, but securing a job still depends on individual qualifications and employer preferences.

Ques: Can jobs not on the list still qualify for a skilled worker visa?

Ans: Yes, jobs not on the Skill Shortage Occupation List can still qualify for a skilled worker visa under the Appendix Skilled Occupations, which has a broader range of eligible jobs.

Ques: Where can I find the latest version of the Skill Shortage Occupation List?

Ans: The most up-to-date version of the Skill Shortage Occupation List can be found on the official UK government website or relevant immigration authority sources