Temporary Shortage List
The Temporary Shortage List (TSL) is a category within the Immigration Salary List (ISL) that gives certain occupations a 20% discount on the going rate for Skilled Worker sponsorship. Unlike the old Shortage Occupation List, roles on the TSL have a defined review date and the discount cannot push salaries below the general threshold.
In This Article
- What is the Temporary Shortage List?
- How the TSL fits within the ISL
- How the salary discount works
- Which roles are on the TSL?
- How roles are added or removed
- TSL vs the old Shortage Occupation List
- Implications for workers and employers
- Frequently asked questions
- Related terms
What Is the Temporary Shortage List?
When the Shortage Occupation List was abolished in April 2024, the government replaced it with the Immigration Salary List — a broader framework for roles eligible for a salary discount under Skilled Worker sponsorship.
Within the ISL, the Temporary Shortage List is the category for occupations where the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has identified a genuine, time-limited UK labour shortage. Inclusion on the TSL is not permanent — roles are designated for a fixed review period, after which the MAC reassesses whether the shortage still exists.
The "temporary" designation is significant: it signals that the government does not intend these discounts to be permanent subsidies for sectors that simply prefer overseas labour over improving domestic pay and conditions.
How the TSL Fits Within the ISL
The Immigration Salary List has two main categories:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Temporary Shortage List | Roles with MAC-evidenced, time-limited shortages — eligible for 20% going-rate discount |
| ISL (non-TSL) | Other roles included for policy reasons (e.g., national interest) — also eligible for 20% going-rate discount |
Both categories provide the same 20% going-rate discount. The distinction matters primarily for how long the inclusion lasts and the evidence base used to justify it.
How the Salary Discount Works
For roles on the Immigration Salary List (including TSL roles), sponsors can pay the worker 80% of the published going rate for their SOC code, rather than the full 100%.
However, the salary must still meet the general threshold (£38,700 as of April 2024, or £30,960 for certain healthcare and education roles). The TSL discount cannot reduce pay below this floor — this is a key difference from the old Shortage Occupation List.
Example:
- SOC code going rate: £48,000
- 20% discount: £9,600
- Discounted salary required: £38,400
- General threshold: £38,700
- Salary payable: £38,700 (threshold applies as floor)
If the discounted going rate falls below the general threshold, the threshold applies as the minimum.
Which Roles Are on the TSL?
The TSL is updated periodically following MAC reviews and government decisions. Current and recently listed roles have included occupations in:
- Civil engineering — various engineering and infrastructure roles
- Architecture — certain architectural and surveying disciplines
- Secondary education — shortage subjects such as maths, physics, languages, and computing
- Social care — specific regulated roles (note: the care sector broadly lost its SOL status in 2024)
- Health professions — selected Allied Health Professional roles not covered by the Health and Care Worker Visa
Always check the current Home Office guidance on GOV.UK for the definitive, up-to-date TSL — the list changes and any printed list may be out of date.
How Roles Are Added or Removed
The MAC conducts reviews of the labour market and may recommend adding or removing roles based on:
- Evidence of genuine shortage — vacancy rates, recruitment difficulties, wage growth signals
- Domestic supply pipeline — whether training and recruitment of domestic workers can close the gap in the near term
- Risk of dependency — whether the shortage reflects structural issues (low pay) versus genuine supply gaps
Stakeholders — including employers, trade bodies, and professional associations — can submit evidence during MAC consultation periods. Roles can be removed if:
- The shortage is resolved (domestic supply catches up)
- The MAC finds the shortage is driven by low pay rather than supply constraints
- The review period expires and the evidence does not support renewal
TSL vs the Old Shortage Occupation List
| Feature | Old Shortage Occupation List | Temporary Shortage List |
|---|---|---|
| Abolished | April 2024 | Current (introduced April 2024) |
| Salary discount | 20% off going rate | 20% off going rate |
| Can go below general threshold? | Yes | No |
| Reduced visa application fee? | Yes | No |
| Review mechanism | Periodic MAC review | Fixed review date per role |
| Framing | Indefinite unless removed | Explicitly time-limited |
The TSL is a more constrained tool than its predecessor. The removal of the below-threshold exemption and the reduced fee has significantly reduced the financial benefit of shortage designation for both workers and employers in low-wage sectors.
Implications for Workers and Employers
For workers: If your occupation is on the TSL, your prospective employer can pay 80% of the going rate — but still cannot pay below £38,700. This may widen the pool of employers who can afford to sponsor you in your field. However, if the going rate for your SOC code is close to or below the threshold, the discount offers little practical benefit.
For employers: TSL status reduces the salary cost of sponsoring overseas workers in shortage roles, making international recruitment more cost-competitive with domestic hiring. Employers in affected sectors should monitor MAC consultations closely and submit evidence if their sector's inclusion is under review.
For job seekers: The presence of a role on the TSL does not directly affect your visa application — it only affects what salary the employer must pay. Use our job search to find licensed employers actively sponsoring roles in your field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the TSL give any visa fee reduction?
No. Unlike the old Shortage Occupation List, TSL inclusion does not reduce visa application fees for the worker or the employer's Immigration Skills Charge.
How do I know if my role is on the TSL?
Check the Home Office Immigration Rules (Appendix Skilled Occupations) and the associated guidance on GOV.UK. Your prospective employer's HR or immigration team should also be able to confirm this.
If my role leaves the TSL, does my current visa change?
No. Sponsorship conditions are fixed at the time your Certificate of Sponsorship is issued. If your role leaves the TSL after your visa is granted, you are not affected until you apply for a new visa or extension — at which point the prevailing rules apply.
Is the TSL the same as the ISL?
No — the TSL is a subset within the ISL. All TSL roles are on the ISL, but not all ISL roles are on the TSL. The discount is the same either way (20% off going rate), but TSL roles are specifically designated as shortage occupations with a review date.
Related Terms
- Immigration Salary List
- Shortage Occupation List
- Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)
- Going Rate
- SOC Code
- Skilled Worker Visa
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