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In-demand occupations · 2026
🇬🇧 United Kingdom in-demand & shortage occupation list
updated for 2026.
21 shortage occupations across 4 sectors, with indicative salaries, official codes and the visa route each one unlocks.
UK Home Office / Migration Advisory Committee · Post-2024 salary reforms, reviewed 2026
Overview
Immigration Salary List & Skilled Worker eligible occupations
The UK replaced the old Shortage Occupation List with the Immigration Salary List in April 2024, alongside a sharply higher general salary threshold. Occupations on the ISL get a 20% discount on the going rate, and Health and Care visa roles sit on a separate, lower threshold with reduced visa fees and no Immigration Health Surcharge.
How the United Kingdom shortage list works
- 1Match your role to a SOC 2020 code at RQF Level 3 or above — the Skilled Worker floor.
- 2Check both the general salary threshold and the occupation-specific going rate; you must clear the higher of the two.
- 3Immigration Salary List roles and Health and Care visa roles get discounted thresholds.
- 4Your employer must hold a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Sector-wise demand
United Kingdom shortage occupations by sector
Health & care (Health and Care visa)
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse | SOC 2231 | £30,000 – 45,000 | NMC registration, no IHS |
| Doctor — specialty and GP | SOC 2211 / 2212 | £45,000 – 110,000 | |
| Radiographer & sonographer | SOC 2217 | £35,000 – 52,000 | |
| Physiotherapist & occupational therapist | SOC 2221 / 2222 | £32,000 – 48,000 | |
| Pharmacist | SOC 2213 | £45,000 – 62,000 | |
| Laboratory & biomedical scientist | SOC 2112 | £32,000 – 48,000 |
Technology & data
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programmers & software development professionals | SOC 2134 | £45,000 – 85,000 | |
| IT business analysts, architects & systems designers | SOC 2133 | £50,000 – 90,000 | |
| Cyber security professionals | SOC 2139 | £55,000 – 95,000 | |
| Data scientists & AI engineers | SOC 2135 | £55,000 – 100,000 | |
| Web design & development professionals | SOC 2141 | £40,000 – 70,000 |
Engineering & construction
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil engineers | SOC 2121 | £40,000 – 70,000 | |
| Mechanical & electrical engineers | SOC 2122 / 2123 | £42,000 – 72,000 | |
| Production & process engineers | SOC 2127 | £42,000 – 68,000 | |
| Quantity surveyors & construction managers | SOC 2433 / 2436 | £45,000 – 78,000 | |
| Welding trades & skilled metal workers | SOC 5215 | £30,000 – 45,000 | Immigration Salary List |
Education, finance & other shortage roles
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary teachers — maths, physics, computing | SOC 2314 | £32,000 – 52,000 | |
| Chartered & certified accountants | SOC 2421 | £45,000 – 80,000 | |
| Actuaries, economists & statisticians | SOC 2425 | £55,000 – 95,000 | |
| Chefs | SOC 5434 | £30,000 – 42,000 | Immigration Salary List |
| Care workers & senior care workers | SOC 6145 / 6146 | £23,200 – 30,000 | Restricted to CQC-regulated sponsors |
Salaries are indicative gross annual figures for 2026 hiring and vary by employer, city, experience and negotiation. Shortage lists are revised by the issuing authority — we re-verify your occupation before any filing.
Why it matters
What a shortage occupation gets you in United Kingdom
Health and Care concessions
Reduced visa fees and full Immigration Health Surcharge exemption for eligible clinical roles.
Dependants and switching
Skilled Workers may bring partners and children with work rights, and switch sponsors without leaving the UK.
Matching visa routes
File under the right United Kingdom category
Skilled Worker Visa
Sponsor-based UK work visa with ILR pathway
Health and Care Worker Visa
Reduced fees for nurses, doctors and social care workers
UK Student Visa
Study at UK universities with 2-year Graduate visa outcome
Global Talent Visa
Endorsement-based visa for exceptional talent
Innovator Founder Visa
UK business visa for scalable innovative founders
Documents Required for UK
Complete document checklist for UK visas
United Kingdom in-demand occupations — FAQs
Does the Immigration Salary List still exist in 2026?
+
Yes — it replaced the Shortage Occupation List and gives a 20% discount on the going rate for listed occupations, though the general threshold still applies as a floor.
Can I apply without a job offer?
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Not for the Skilled Worker route. The Global Talent and High Potential Individual routes are the main offer-free options; we assess whether you qualify for either.
How do I find a licensed sponsor?
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The Home Office publishes the register of licensed sponsors. Our UK desk filters it by your SOC code and region and prepares an ATS-optimised UK-format CV.
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