United Kingdom: Construction Sector Occupations Added to the Shortage Occupation List
March 27, 2023

Upon recommendation of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the UK government has added the following occupations to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) on an interim basis: bricklayers and masons; roofers; roof tilers and slaters; carpenters and joiners (those working with timber to create structures); construction and building trades not elsewhere classified; and plasterers. As a result, employers will be able to pay workers falling under these categories 20% less than the mandatory minimum salary for sponsorship, but the workers will still be required to satisfy an English language requirement. The interim recommendations made by the MAC will be reconsidered and finalised as part of MAC's full review of the SOL expected around September-November 2023.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Video
Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.

Blog post
Private Client Associate Amelia Haynes and Intern Zuha Malik explore whether living together remains a requirement for unmarried couples applying for a UK partner visa under the 2025 rules.

Media mentions
Partner Blake Miller discussed how US immigration processing delays may create challenges for work authorization, travel and workforce planning.

Blog post
Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis discusses how the EES and ETIAS systems aim to streamline immigration processes while addressing the complexities of automation.

Fragomen news
Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Blog post
Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Media mentions
UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Media mentions
Director Laurence Keir-Thomas outlines how recent changes to UK immigration and industrial policy may affect talent planning and hiring across the games sector.

Video
In this Mobility Minute, Senior Consultant Ada Plant discusses how Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) no longer accepts incomplete temporary residence applications.

Awards
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is named to the prestigious Citywealth Leaders List 2025, which recognises leading professionals in wealth management and private client services.

Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés discusses how Ireland’s Department of Justice is rolling out AI tools to reduce fraud risks in the immigration process.

Media mentions
Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.

Video
Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.

Blog post
Private Client Associate Amelia Haynes and Intern Zuha Malik explore whether living together remains a requirement for unmarried couples applying for a UK partner visa under the 2025 rules.

Media mentions
Partner Blake Miller discussed how US immigration processing delays may create challenges for work authorization, travel and workforce planning.

Blog post
Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis discusses how the EES and ETIAS systems aim to streamline immigration processes while addressing the complexities of automation.

Fragomen news
Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Blog post
Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Media mentions
UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Media mentions
Director Laurence Keir-Thomas outlines how recent changes to UK immigration and industrial policy may affect talent planning and hiring across the games sector.

Video
In this Mobility Minute, Senior Consultant Ada Plant discusses how Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) no longer accepts incomplete temporary residence applications.

Awards
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is named to the prestigious Citywealth Leaders List 2025, which recognises leading professionals in wealth management and private client services.

Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés discusses how Ireland’s Department of Justice is rolling out AI tools to reduce fraud risks in the immigration process.

Media mentions
Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.