Most occupations on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) will be removed on 31 December 2026, which changes how UK employers can sponsor medium-skilled (RQF 3–5) roles. Care worker and senior care worker roles stay on the ISL until July 2028, but only for applicants already in the UK. In its Stage 2 report, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommended 28 occupations for the Temporary Shortage List (TSL), mainly in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital and technology, and critical infrastructure. Access would last 18 months from January 2027, rather than the usual three years. Of the 52 occupations on the current interim TSL, 32 would lose access. TSL roles would also get no salary discount, and new applicants in these roles generally cannot bring dependants.
The government has not yet confirmed these recommendations, so there may be a gap in sponsorship from January 2027. Workers first sponsored on or after 22 July 2025 are most exposed, because extensions or job changes after the ISL closes will depend on their occupation being on the TSL. The article also points to MAC concerns about exploitation risks and about sponsors using the wrong occupation codes. It advises employers to audit their sponsored workforce now, assign Certificates of Sponsorship before 31 December 2026, budget for standard salary thresholds and check that each occupation code matches the role’s actual duties.
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