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UK Temporary Shortage List expires on 31 December 2026
The UK Temporary Shortage List will expire on 31 December 2026, ending the ability to issue new certificates of sponsorship for listed occupations. The change takes effect on that date and impacts employers who sponsor skilled workers and prospective applicants relying on shortage occupations in the UK.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- The Shortage Occupation List ends on 31 December 2026, stopping new sponsorship
- Timing
- Effective 31 December 2026
- Who is affected
- Employers and prospective skilled workers using the list
The details
- Announced by
- Home Office
- Takes effect
- 31 December 2026
- Previous rule
- Employers could assign certificates of sponsorship for occupations on the Shortage Occupation List up to 31 December 2026, allowing new sponsorships for those roles.
- New rule
- After 31 December 2026 the list expires and employers may only continue sponsoring workers already holding certificates for listed occupations; no new certificates can be issued.
Background and decision
The Temporary Shortage List, used by the Home Office to allow employers to sponsor workers in occupations facing a labour shortfall, is set to expire on 31 December 2026. The list’s expiry follows a self‑imposed deadline by the Home Office and reflects the Migration Advisory Committee’s July 2026 recommendation that the list be reviewed and likely shortened.
What the change means
Once the list expires, the ability to issue new certificates of sponsorship for the occupations on it will cease. Existing sponsored workers will retain their status, but any employer wishing to bring in a new employee under a shortage occupation must do so before the expiry date.
- No new sponsorships for listed occupations after 31 December 2026
Timeline and transition
With only eight weeks remaining before the deadline, employers have a short window to finalize any new sponsorship applications that rely on the Shortage Occupation List. After the expiry, the Home Office will limit sponsorship in those occupations to workers already holding a certificate, and will monitor compliance through existing sponsor licences.
- Employers must complete new sponsorships before the 31 December 2026 cutoff
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Existing visa applications that depend on a Shortage Occupation certificate must be submitted before 31 December 2026
- New applications for listed occupations cannot be started after the expiry date
Cost and documents
- No additional fees are introduced by the expiry of the Shortage Occupation List
- Required documents for current sponsorships remain unchanged after the list ends
What you need to do
- Employers must stop issuing new certificates of sponsorship for Shortage Occupation roles after 31 December 2026
- Prospective workers should secure sponsorship before the expiry if they rely on a Shortage Occupation
Who this affects
-
UK employers seeking to sponsor skilled workers
They use the Shortage Occupation List to assign certificates of sponsorship for shortage roles
What to do Must cease issuing new certificates for listed occupations after 31 December 2026
-
Prospective skilled workers applying for a Shortage Occupation visa
Their applications depend on obtaining a new certificate of sponsorship from an employer
What to do Need to obtain sponsorship before the list expires on 31 December 2026
-
Existing sponsored workers in Shortage Occupation roles
Their current certificates remain valid after the list expires
What to do No immediate action required, but monitor renewal timelines
-
Immigration advisers handling sponsor licence applications
They guide employers on compliance with the Shortage Occupation List rules
What to do Should advise clients of the upcoming expiry and adjust recruitment plans
-
Home Office immigration officials
They enforce the expiry and manage sponsorship records for shortage occupations
What to do Will monitor compliance and process existing cases after 31 December 2026
Frequently asked questions
When does the UK Temporary Shortage List expire?
The list ends on 31 December 2026, after which no new certificates of sponsorship can be issued for the occupations on it.
Can employers issue new sponsorship for shortage occupations after 31 December 2026?
No, once the list expires, employers are limited to sponsoring only workers already holding a certificate for those occupations.
What happens to workers already sponsored under a shortage occupation after the list expires?
Existing sponsored workers can continue their employment, but any new sponsorship for those roles cannot be started after the expiry date.
Does the expiry introduce any new fees or document requirements?
The change does not add any new fees or paperwork; current sponsorship documentation remains valid for existing cases.
How long before the expiry must employers secure sponsorship for new hires?
Employers should obtain certificates of sponsorship for shortage occupations before 31 December 2026, as the list will no longer support new applications after that date.
