Temporary Shortage List Deadline: Mid-Skilled Visa Sponsorship Expires End-2026
The Temporary Shortage List, allowing Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for RQF Level 3–5 roles in critical shortages, expires on December 31, 2026 unless extended. Employers and workers must plan for a skills-based tightening as the Migration Advisory Committee finalises July 2026 recommendations.
The Temporary Shortage List, introduced on July 22, 2025, as a temporary lifeline for mid-skilled international hiring, is on a countdown to expiry with major implications for construction, IT, and other sectors struggling to recruit domestically.
Current Rules and Deadline
Applications relying on occupations on the Temporary Shortage List must be made by 31 December 2026. Final recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee are expected in July 2026 to determine which occupations should remain on a permanent Temporary Shortage List and how salary thresholds for mid-skill roles will be set from 2027 onwards.
The list currently includes around 50 occupation codes covering sectors such as construction trades, IT technicians, logistics managers, financial technicians and creative roles. The jobs contained within it are expected to expire by the end of 2026 unless further extended.
Visa Restrictions for New Hires
Workers sponsored in a Temporary Shortage List role on or after 22 July 2025 cannot bring a spouse, partner or children as dependants, with the only exception if the worker's first Skilled Worker visa was granted before 22 July 2025.
What This Means for International Workers and Employers
If you are a migrant considering a Skilled Worker visa in a mid-skilled role (such as construction trades, IT technician, or logistics management), check urgently whether your occupation is on the Temporary Shortage List. If it is, applications must be submitted before December 31, 2026. After that date, these roles will no longer be eligible unless the government extends the list. If you are sponsored in a TSL role and planning to bring family members, understand that dependant visas are not available under these current rules. Employers should begin workforce planning now and consider accelerating hiring of international staff in these sectors before the year-end closure.
Sources
MyHAbroad is an independent app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing any government or public authority. This is general information only — not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. Always verify with the official source before acting:
