UK Home Office | Photo: Equal experts
The UK’s migration advisory committee (MAC) has published a new report listing 82 mid-skilled occupations that will qualify for temporary work visas under a proposed migration pathway aimed at addressing the country’s labour shortages.
Commissioned by the Home Office, the report identifies key roles essential to strengthening the UK’s critical infrastructure, as part of wider government efforts to manage net migration while sustaining economic growth.
In the report released Thursday, Brian Bell, MAC chair, recommended that the visa durations be between three to five years but noted that the committee supports in-country switching to higher-skilled roles within the skilled worker route, to encourage progression.
Bell said the committee also recommended that English Language requirements be no lower than B1.
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The professor noted that the list is only temporary and would be further screened for inclusion in the report’s second stage.
A final report on the approved temporary shortage list will be published in July 2026, Bell said.
Among the temporary 82 listed professions were writers, carpenters, human resources (HR) officers, and plumbers.
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Here is a full list of the initial occupations.
- Hire services managers and proprietors
- Directors in consultancy services
- Laboratory technicians
- Electrical and electronics technicians
- Engineering technicians
- Building and civil engineering technicians
- Quality assurance technicians
- Planning, process and production technicians
- Science, engineering and production technicians not elsewhere classified (n.e.c).
- CAD, drawing and architectural technicians
- IT operations technicians
- IT user support technicians
- Database administrators and web content technicians
- Medical and Dental Technicians
- Artists
- Authors, writers and translators
- Actors, entertainers and presenters
- Dancers and choreographers
- Musicians
- Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators
- Interior designers
- Clothing, fashion and accessories designers
- Design occupations n.e.c.
- Ship and hovercraft officers
- Legal associate professionals
- Insurance underwriters
- Financial and accounting technicians
- Financial accounts managers
- Estimators, valuers and assessors
- Project support officers
- Data analysts
- Business associate professionals n.e.c.
- Business sales executives
- Marketing associate professionals
- Sales accounts and business development managers
- Human resources and industrial relations officers
- Information technology trainers
- Inspectors of standards and regulations
- Health and safety managers and officers
- Credit controllers
- Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks
- Financial administrative occupations n.e.c.
- Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants
- Other administrative occupations n.e.c.
- Company secretaries and administrators
- Sheet metal workers
- Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations
- Welding Trades
- Pipe fitters
- Metal machining setters and setter-operators
- Metal working production and maintenance fitters
- Precision instrument makers and repairers
- Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers
- Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians
- Aircraft maintenance and related trades
- Boat and ship builders and repairers
- Electricians and electrical fitters
- Telecoms and related network installers and repairers
- TV, video and audio servicers and repairers
- Computer system and equipment installers and servicers
- Security system installers and repairers
- Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers
- Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c.
- Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades supervisors
- Steel erectors
- Stonemasons and related trades
- Bricklayers
- Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
- Plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers
- Carpenters and joiners
- Construction and building trades n.e.c.
- Plasterers
- Floorers and wall tilers
- Painters and decorators
- Construction and building trades supervisors
- Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers
- Chemical and related process operatives
- Energy plant operatives
- Water and sewerage plant operatives
- Routine inspectors and testers
- Elementary sales occupations n.e.c.
