United Kingdom: Migration Advisory Committee Publishes First Stage Temporary Shortage List Report

The situation

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published its Stage 1 Report on occupations that should be considered for inclusion on the revised Temporary Shortage List (TSL). This is the first stage of a two-stage review process. Those occupations that pass Stage 2 of MAC’s review will be included in the TSL.

A closer look

• Identified occupations. 82 Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 3-5 occupations have been identified as potentially crucial to the UK’s Industrial Strategy or critical infrastructure and will proceed to Stage 2 assessment.
• TSL Inclusion is not guaranteed.
  • The TSL is intended to be a narrowly targeted immigration mechanism to support priority sectors where domestic workforce strategies are in place.
  • Final TSL decisions will depend on whether there is evidence of shortages in the occupation, whether it is sensible for the shortage to be addressed through migration, and whether there are credible sector-led Jobs Plans that would maximise domestic workforce participation (i.e. workforce strategies).

Impact

• Benefits of inclusion on TSL. RQF 3-5 occupations on the TSL can be sponsored under the Skilled Worker Route as an exception to rule changes limiting access to RQF 6 roles. Employers will have no ability to recruit overseas workers to fill immediate shortages in RQF 3-5 roles unless the roles are recommended for inclusion on the TSL (since the Skilled Worker Route is the only one permitting some sponsorship of RQF 3-5 roles), putting at risk the growth of businesses reliant on these roles.

Background

• Purpose of TSL. The TSL is intended to be a list of RQF Level 3-5 (mid-skilled) occupations that can still be sponsored transitionally under the Skilled Worker Route despite recent rule changes otherwise limiting access under the route to RQF level 6 (degree level) occupations.
• Expiration of current TSL. The Stage 1 Report concludes the first phase of the MAC’s commission to advise the UK government on the design and implementation of the TSL – whose current iteration, along with the Immigration Salary List (a Home Office-maintained list of Skilled Worker occupations that qualify for reduced salary thresholds), expires on December 31, 2026.

Looking ahead

Employers seeking to recruit foreign workers to undertake RQF 3-5 level roles identified by Stage 1 will have the opportunity to advocate for such roles to be included in a final TSL during the call for Evidence exercise that will be launched as part of Stage 2 of MAC’s TSL review.   

The Call for Evidence is a key opportunity for employers to shape future immigration access for mid-skilled roles. The MAC intends to publish its Stage 2 recommendations in July 2026.

Fragomen can assist with client submissions in the Call for Evidence. 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].