London, 9 October 2025 — The UK government on Thursday released a list of 82 mid-skilled jobs that will qualify for temporary work visas, part of a new immigration framework aimed at filling critical labour gaps while maintaining tighter controls on long-term migration.
The Temporary Shortage List
The roles, compiled by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), form part of Britain’s new Temporary Shortage List (TSL). Occupations range from engineering technicians, welders, and civil engineers to photographers, translators, HR officers, and logistics managers. Creative sector roles such as dancers, writers, and fashion designers are also included, reflecting shortages across both industrial and cultural fields.
Applicants will be eligible for time-limited visas of three to five years, but these will not automatically lead to permanent settlement unless government policy changes. Employers sponsoring foreign workers must also demonstrate efforts to train and recruit domestic staff to reduce reliance on overseas labour.
Policy Context
The scheme follows record net migration figures of 906,000 in the year to June 2023, which intensified political pressure on the government to balance economic needs with public concerns over immigration. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration has pledged to take a tougher stance on illegal migration while ensuring that industries facing acute shortages — including construction, defence, life sciences, and logistics — can access essential workers.
The government described the list as “narrow” and “targeted,” intended to provide short-term relief while longer-term workforce strategies are developed. A second phase of the review, due in July 2026, will determine which occupations remain on the final list.
International Comparisons
Similar targeted visa schemes exist in Canada and Australia, where temporary migration programs are used to plug gaps in healthcare, engineering, and skilled trades. Analysts say the UK’s approach mirrors these models but with stricter settlement restrictions, reflecting political sensitivities around immigration.
Outlook
The publication of the 82-job list marks the first major step in Britain’s revised immigration strategy. While businesses have welcomed the move as a practical response to labour shortages, unions and policy experts caution that without parallel investment in domestic training and skills development, the UK risks repeating cycles of dependency on temporary migration.
Uk-House-of-Commons-Westminster-UK-Parliament-Picture by-Jim-Trodel
Sources: UK Government (Temporary Shortage List Report); Migration Advisory Committee; The Hindu Business Line; MSN News UK.
