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On 9 October, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its Stage 1 Review of the Temporary Shortage Occupation List (TSL), which is replacing the Immigration Salary List (ISL), looking at occupations on RQF Level 3-5 that are considered critical for Government’s Industrial Strategy, or infrastructure delivery.

Recently, the RQF for Skilled Worker Visas was raised to Level 6, so the Shortage List aims to fill the gap of occupations now out of scope. Unless placed on the List (or the updated ISL which remains until 31 December 2026), RQF 3-5 occupations will no longer have access to the immigration system.

The MAC was commissioned to consider:

  • Occupations that are “crucial to the delivery of the Industrial Strategy or critical infrastructure”.
  • Which of the occupations identified as crucial to the delivery of the Industrial Strategy or critical infrastructure should be included on the TSL: this will include an assessment of sector Workforce Strategies to “maximise use of the domestic workforce”. 
  • The terms and conditions for the TSL visa, such as visa caps and visa lengths.

This Stage 1 report provides recommendations on which RQF 3-5 occupations are potentially crucial to delivering the Industrial Strategy and critical infrastructure to take forward into Stage 2, which is due in July 2026 and will include recommendations on which occupations should be on the Temporary Shortage List.

In this report, the MAC shortlisted 82 occupations to be considered in Stage 2, mainly in construction, engineering and technical roles. Findings involved quantitative analysis and engagement with the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (ISAC) and sector experts across government to understand workforce needs for delivering the Industrial Strategy and critical infrastructure.

MAC has interpreted 'critical infrastructure' narrowly, focusing on construction-related roles rather than operational ones. It clarified that critical infrastructure is not a defined Industrial Strategy sector, universally defined, nor was it defined in the commissioning letter. Instead, the MAC focused on occupations involved in building critical infrastructure, based on the Home Office wording in its July changes to immigration rules and in light of the inclusion of construction roles on the interim Shortage Occupation List. The report uses prioritised sectors to cover the Industrial Strategy sectors (IS-8), foundational industries, and those linked to infrastructure delivery. 

The MAC took an inclusive approach to identifying ‘crucial’ occupations to create the current list, which will be subject to further consideration in Stage 2. This should enable stakeholders to make the case for inclusion via Jobs Plans, rather than being excluded upfront.

The Stage 2 review process is expected to take place between Oct 2025 and July 2026, including a Call for Evidence.

MAC is also due to publish recommendations on salary thresholds in December 2025. The setting of new salary thresholds for RQF 3-5 occupations on the TSL will be a key part of both the salary thresholds and TSL reviews.

While the review takes place, interim arrangements by the Home Office mean that an expanded ISL and interim TSL remain live.  The expanded ISL includes occupations already on the ISL previously, and occupations at RQF Level 3-5 added in the October 2023 review of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and February 2024 review of the ISL. These are subject to discounted salary thresholds and reduced visa fees.  The interim TSL contains occupations at RQF 3-5 which the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Treasury (HMT) identified as important to the Industrial Strategy, providing extended and time-limited access to the immigration system for those RQF 3-5 occupations.

In light of this publication and the Immigration White Paper from May, the BRC will host a HR Technical call on Immigration, scheduled for 31 October 2025 (11am-12pm), to provide members with the latest updates, upcoming changes, how to prepare and an opportunity for feedback and Q&As. Email Ben to register.

Follow this link to access the full report, including a list of occupations currently on ISL and TSL, and contact Luiza at luiza.gomes@brc.org.uk to share your reflections about the report and wider immigration changes.