Discover 28 Shortage Occupations for UK Skilled Worker Visa

The UK Skilled Worker Visa is a gateway for skilled professionals from across the globe to contribute their expertise to the United Kingdom’s dynamic workforce.

Introduced in December 2020, this visa streamlines the immigration process, replacing the previous Tier 2 (General) work visa. One notable feature of this visa category is the inclusion of shortage occupations, providing additional opportunities for skilled workers.

UK Skilled Worker Visa: Requirements and Overview

To qualify for the UK Skilled Worker Visa, applicants must meet several criteria. These include having a valid job offer from a UK employer, a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) from the employer, English language proficiency, and the ability to score a specific number of points in the points-based system.

The points system considers factors such as the job offer, skill level, English language proficiency, and salary. A higher salary typically results in more points, contributing to a successful visa application.

As per the UK Govt’s official website, the main criteria for UK’s Skilled Worker Visa include:

1. Job Offer: Applicants must have a valid job offer from a UK employer.
2. Certificate of Sponsorship (COS): The employer needs to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship to confirm the job offer.
3. Points System: Applicants need to score a minimum number of points based on factors such as the job offer, skill level, English language proficiency, and salary.
4. English Language Proficiency: Applicants must prove their proficiency in the English language.
5. Salary Requirements: A higher salary contributes to earning more points in the system.

Must Read: UK Govt May Increase Minimum Salary Requirement For Work Visas

Understanding Shortage Occupations

The UK government maintains a list of shortage occupations, which are identified as having a particular need for skilled workers from overseas. These occupations are spread across various sectors, including healthcare, engineering, IT, and construction.

Lower Salary Threshold

Applicants for the Skilled Worker visa in shortage occupations can be paid 80% of the usual going rate for the job, rather than the standard 100%.

Wider Range of Eligible Occupations

The list of eligible occupations for the Skilled Worker visa is broader for shortage occupations. This means that more people may be eligible to apply for the visa if they have a job offer in a shortage occupation.

List of Shortage Occupations

The shortage occupations list is regularly updated, and prospective applicants must check whether their occupation falls within this category. If a job is on the list, the applicant can be paid 80% of the job’s usual going rate and still qualify for the Skilled Worker visa.

1. Electronics Engineers (Occupation Code: 2124)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £27,120 (£13.91 per hour)

2. Design and Development Engineers (Occupation Code: 2126)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £27,280 (£13.99 per hour)

3. Production and Process Engineers (Occupation Code: 2127)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £25,600 (£13.13 per hour)

4. Engineering Professionals not elsewhere classified (Occupation Code: 2129)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £26,720 (£13.70 per hour)

5. IT Business Analysts, Architects, and Systems Designers (Occupation Code: 2135)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £30,080 (£15.43 per hour)

6. Programmers and Software Development Professionals (Occupation Code: 2136)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £27,200 (£13.95 per hour)

7. Web Design and Development Professionals (Occupation Code: 2137)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £21,440 (£10.99 per hour)

8. Information Technology and Communications Professionals not elsewhere classified (Cyber Security Specialists) (Occupation Code: 2139)

• Job Types: Only cyber security specialists
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £25,680 (£13.17 per hour)

9. Veterinarians (Occupation Code: 2216)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £26,960 (£13.83 per hour)

10. Actuaries, Economists, and Statisticians (Bio-informaticians and Informaticians only) (Occupation Code: 2425)

• Job Types: Only bio-informaticians and informaticians
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £26,880 (£13.78 per hour)

11. Architects (Occupation Code: 2431)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £26,320 (£13.50 per hour)

12. Quality Control and Planning Engineers (Occupation Code: 2461)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £25,280 (£12.96 per hour)

13. Laboratory Technicians (Occupation Code: 3111)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £15,120 (£7.75 per hour)

14. Artists (Occupation Code: 3411)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £16,400 (£8.41 per hour)

15. Dancers and Choreographers (Occupation Code: 3414)

• Job Types: Skilled classical ballet dancers or skilled contemporary dancers who meet specific standards
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £16,960 (£8.70 per hour)

16. Musicians (Occupation Code: 3415)

• Job Types: Skilled orchestral musicians who meet specific standards
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £24,960 (£12.80 per hour)

17. Arts Officers, Producers, and Directors (Occupation Code: 3416)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £23,360 (£11.98 per hour)

18. Graphic Designers (Occupation Code: 3421)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £18,400 (£9.44 per hour)

19. Agriculture and Fishing Trades not elsewhere classified (Fishing Industry only) (Occupation Code: 5119)

• Job Types: Only jobs in the fishing industry
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £17,600 (£9.03 per hour)

20. Welding Trades (High Integrity Pipe Welders with 3 or more years experience) (Occupation Code: 5215)

• Job Types: High-integrity pipe welders with 3 or more years of experience (illegal working not included)
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £18,480 (£9.48 per hour)

21. Bricklayers and Masons (Occupation Code: 5312)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £18,640 (£9.56 per hour)

22. Roofers, Roof Tilers, and Slaters (Occupation Code: 5313)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £16,160 (£8.29 per hour)

23. Carpenters and Joiners (Occupation Code: 5315)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £18,000 (£9.23 per hour)

24. Construction and Building Trades not elsewhere classified (Occupation Code: 5319)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £17,760 (£9.11 per hour)

25. Plasterers (Occupation Code: 5321)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £19,200 (£9.85 per hour)

26. Care Workers and Home Carers (Occupation Code: 6145)

• Job Types: Private households or individuals (other than sole traders sponsoring someone to work for their business) cannot sponsor Skilled Worker applicants
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Salary: No going rate – the salary must be at least £20,960 per year or £10.75 per hour

27. Senior Care Workers (Occupation Code: 6146)

• Job Types: All jobs
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £14,880 (£7.63 per hour)

28. Fishing and Other Elementary Agriculture Occupations not elsewhere classified (Large Fishing Vessel Deckhands with 3 or more years experience) (Occupation Code: 9119)

• Job Types: Only deckhands on large fishing vessels (9 metres and above) with 3 or more years of full-time experience (illegal working not included)
• Areas of Shortage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Annual Salary: 80% of the going rate: £14,400 (£7.38 per hour)

Conclusion

The UK Skilled Worker Visa, coupled with the shortage occupations list, offers a comprehensive and transparent pathway for skilled professionals to contribute to the UK’s vibrant workforce. Applicants are encouraged to stay informed about updates to the shortage occupations list and to thoroughly understand the visa requirements.