In addition to this shortage occupation list, Sponsors must also refer to the Tier 2 visa codes of practice for detailed information about occupations, appropriate salary rates, and the evidence they need to keep to show that the shortage occupation criteria have been met for the visa.

Tier 2 Shortage Occupation List

Government-approved version valid from 6 April 2015

This document sets out the official Shortage Occupation List for Tier 2 of the Points-Based System.  There is one list covering the whole of the UK and an additional list for Scotland.  To qualify under the Scotland list, the job must be based in Scotland.

The SOC codes used in this document relate to the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2010.  For further information about SOC codes, please refer to the Codes of Practice for Skilled Workers.

The job must be paid the minimum salary rates shown below, which are taken from the Codes of Practice.  If you are sponsoring a migrant worker in a shortage occupation, the job must be for at least 30 hours a week.

UK list:

SOC code and description	Job titles included on the UK Shortage Occupation List and further criteria	Minimum appropriate salary rate
1123 Production managers anddirectors in mining and energy	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • The following jobs in the decommissioning and waste management areas of the nuclear industry: – managing director – programme director – site director • The following jobs in the electricity transmission and distribution industry: – project manager – site manager	New entrant: £20,800 [Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2014. The Tier 2 minimum threshold is higher than therate shown by the ASHE data.] Experienced worker: £37,600 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2012 (no equivalent 2013 or 2014 data available)]
2113 PhysicalScientists	• The following jobs in the oil and gas industry: – geophysicist – geoscientist – geologist – geochemist • Technical services manager in the decommissioning and waste areas of the nuclear industry	[Source: Evidence from partners who responded to Migration AdvisoryCommittee in 2011, uplifted based on national changes in earnings]
2121 Civil engineers	• the following jobs in the oil and gas industry: – petroleum engineer – drilling engineer – completions engineer – fluids engineer – reservoir engineer – offshore and subsea engineer – control and instrument engineer – process safety engineer – wells engineer • senior mining engineer in the mining sector	New entrant: £22,800 Experienced worker:£30,000 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014]
2122 Mechanical engineers	ONLY the following job in this occupation code: – mechanical engineer in the oil and gas industry	New entrant: £27,400 Experienced worker:£32,900 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2013 (no equivalent 2014 data available)]
2123 Electrical engineers	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • electrical engineer in the oil and gas industry • the following jobs in the electricity transmission and distribution industry: – power system engineer – control engineer – protection engineer • the following jobs in the aerospace industry: – electrical machine design engineer – power electronics engineer	[Source: National Grid submission to Migration Advisory Committee in 2011, uplifted based on national changes in earnings]Other electrical engineer (new
2124 Electronics Engineers	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • the following jobs in the railway industry: – signalling design manager – signalling design engineer – signalling principles designer – senior signalling design checker – signalling design checker – signalling systems engineer • specialist electronics engineer in the automotive manufacturing and design industry	New entrant: £25,200 Experienced worker:£31,300 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014]
2126 Design and development engineers	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • design engineer in the electricity transmission and distribution industry • the following jobs in the automotive design and manufacturing industry: – product development engineer – product design engineer • the following jobs in the electronics system industry: – integrated circuit design engineer – integrated circuit test engineer	New entrant: £25,300 Experienced worker:£32,100 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014]
2127 Production and process engineers	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • chemical engineer • manufacturing engineer (process planning) in the aerospace industry • technical services representative in the decommissioning and waste areas of the nuclear industry	New entrant: £22,900 Experienced worker:£30,000 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014]
2129 Engineering	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code:	New entrant: £26,100 Experienced worker:
professionals not elsewhere classified	• the following jobs in the electricity transmission and distribution industry:- project engineer – proposals engineer • the following jobs in the aerospace industry: – aerothermal engineer – stress engineer – chief of engineering – advance tool and fixturing engineer • the following jobs in the decommissioning and waste management areas of the civil nuclear industry: – operations manager – decommissioning specialist manager – project/planning engineer – radioactive waste manager – radiological protection advisor • The following jobs in the civil nuclear industry: – nuclear safety case engineer – mechanical design engineer (pressure vehicles) – piping design engineer – mechanical design engineer (stress) – thermofluids/process engineer	£32,000 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014]
2135 IT Business analysts, architects and systems designers	ONLY the following job in this occupation code:  systems engineer in visual effects and 2D/3D computer animation for the film, television or video games sectors	New entrant: £25,800 Experienced worker:£33,000 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014]
2136 Programmers and software development professionals	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • the following jobs in visual effects and 2D/3D computer animation for the film, television or video games sectors: – software developer – shader writer – games designer • the following jobs in the electronics system industry: – driver developer – embedded communications engineer	New entrant: £24,000 Experienced worker:£31,100 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014]
SOC code and description	Job titles included on the UK Shortage Occupation List and further criteria	Minimum appropriate salary rate
2142 Environmental Professionals	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code:  the following jobs in the constructionrelated ground engineering industry: – contaminated land specialist – geoenvironmental specialist – landfill engineer	New entrant: £20,800 Experienced worker:£24,300 [Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2014. The Tier 2 minimum threshold is higher than the rate shown by the ASHE data for new entrants.]
2211 Medical practitioners	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • consultant in the following specialities: – clinical radiology – emergency medicine – old age psychiatry • CT3 trainee and ST4 to ST7 trainee in emergency medicine • core trainee in psychiatry • non-consultant, non-training, medical staff post in the following specialities: – emergency medicine (including specialist doctors working in accident and emergency) – old age psychiatry – paediatrics	Speciality registrar (StR) and equivalent:£30,002 Speciality doctor and equivalent: £37,176 Consultant and equivalent: £75,249 [Source: NHS EmployersPay and Conditions (M&D)Circular 2/2014]
2217 MedicalRadio graphers	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: •      HPC registered diagnostic radiographer •      nuclear medicine practitioner •      radiotherapy physics practitioner •      radiotherapy physics scientist •      sonographer Sponsors must retain evidence of the individual’s HPC registration and provide this to the Home Office on request. (Registration may need to be done after the individual has entered the United Kingdom but must be done before starting work).	Band 5 and equivalent: £21,478 Band 6 and equivalent: £25,783 Band 7 and equivalent: £30,764 Band 8a and equivalent: £39,239 Band 8b and equivalent: £45,707 Band 8c and equivalent: £54,998 Band 8d and equivalent: £65,922 Band 9 and equivalent: £77,850 [Source: NHS Agenda forChange 2014]
professionals not elsewhere classified	• the following jobs in the electricity transmission and distribution industry:- project engineer – proposals engineer • the following jobs in the aerospace industry: – aerothermal engineer – stress engineer – chief of engineering – advance tool and fixturing engineer • the following jobs in the decommissioning and waste management areas of the civil nuclear industry: – operations manager – decommissioning specialist manager – project/planning engineer – radioactive waste manager – radiological protection advisor • The following jobs in the civil nuclear industry: – nuclear safety case engineer – mechanical design engineer (pressure vehicles) – piping design engineer – mechanical design engineer (stress) – thermofluids/process engineer	£32,000 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014]
2135 IT Business analysts, architects and systems designers	ONLY the following job in this occupation code:  systems engineer in visual effects and 2D/3D computer animation for the film, television or video games sectors	New entrant: £25,800 Experienced worker:£33,000 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014]
2136Programmers and software development professionals	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • the following jobs in visual effects and 2D/3D computer animation for the film, television or video games sectors: – software developer – shader writer – games designer • the following jobs in the electronics system industry: – driver developer – embedded communications engineer	New entrant: £24,000 Experienced worker:£31,100 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014]
2142Environmental Professionals	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code:  the following jobs in the constructionrelated ground engineering industry: – contaminated land specialist – geoenvironmental specialist – landfill engineer	New entrant: £20,800 Experienced worker:£24,300 [Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2014. The Tier 2 minimum threshold is higher than the rate shown by the ASHE data for new entrants.]
2211 Medical practitioners	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • consultant in the following specialities: – clinical radiology – emergency medicine – old age psychiatry • CT3 trainee and ST4 to ST7 trainee in emergency medicine • core trainee in psychiatry • non-consultant, non-training, medical staff post in the following specialities: – emergency medicine (including specialist doctors working in accident and emergency) – old age psychiatry – paediatrics	Speciality registrar (StR) and equivalent:£30,002 Speciality doctor and equivalent: £37,176 Consult ant and equivalent:  £75,249   [Source: NHS EmployersPay and Conditions (M&D)Circular 2/2014]
2217 Medical Radiographers	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • HPC registered diagnostic radiographer • nuclear medicine practitioner • radiotherapy physics practitioner • radiotherapy physics scientist • sonographer Sponsors must retain evidence of the individual’s HPC registration and provide this to the Home Office on request. (Registration may need to be done after the individual has entered the United Kingdom but must be done before starting work).	Band 5 and equivalent: £21,478 Band 6 and equivalent: £25,783 Band 7 and equivalent: £30,764  Band 8a and equivalent:  £39,239 Band 8b and equivalent: £45,707 Band 8c and equivalent: £54,998 Band 8d and equivalent: £65,922 Band 9 and equivalent: £77,850 [Source: NHS Agenda forChange 2014]
2219 Health professionals not elsewhere classified	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • neurophysiology healthcare scientist • neurophysiology practitioner • nuclear medicine scientist	Band 5 and equivalent:£21,478 Band 6 and equivalent: £25,783 Band 7 and equivalent: £30,764 Band 8a and equivalent: £39,239 Band 8b and equivalent: £45,707 Band 8c and equivalent: £54,998 Band 8d and equivalent: £65,922 Band 9 and equivalent: £77,850 [Source: NHS Agenda forChange 2014
2229 Therapy professionals not elsewhereclassified	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • orthotist • prosthetist	Band 5 and equivalent:£21,478 Band 6 and equivalent: £25,783 Band 7 and equivalent: £30,764 Band 8a and equivalent: £39,239 Band 8b and equivalent: £45,707 Band 8c and equivalent: £54,998 Band 8d and equivalent: £65,922 Band 9 and equivalent: £77,850 [Source: NHS Agenda forChange 2014]
2314 Secondary education teaching professionals	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code:  secondary education teachers in the subjects of maths and science (chemistry and physics only)	Unqualified teachers undertaking OverseasTrained Teachers Programme and equivalent: £20,800 Qualified teachers and equivalent: £21,804 Post-threshol
		teachers and equivalent: £34,523 Leadership group, assistant head teacher, principal teacher and equivalent: £37,836 [Source: Teachers’ national pay scales]
2425 Actuaries, economists and statisticians	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • bio-informatician • informatician	New entrant: £26,500 Experienced worker:£34,700 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014]
2442 Social workers	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code:  social worker working in children’s and family services	Band 5 and equivalent:£21,478 Band 6 and equivalent: £25,783 Band 7 and equivalent: £30,764 Band 8a and equivalent: £39,239  Band 8b and equivalent: £45,707  Band 8c and equivalent: £54,998  Band 8d and equivalent: £65,922  Band 9 and equivalent: £77,850   [Source: NHS Agenda forChange 2014]
2461 Quality control and planning engineers	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code:  the following jobs in the electricity transmission and distribution industry: – planning / development engineer – quality, health, safety and environment (QHSE) engineer	New entrant: £23,000 Experienced worker:£29,400 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014]
3113 Engineering technicians	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code:  the following jobs in the electricity transmission and distribution industry:	New entrant: £20,800 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2013
	– commissioning engineer- substation electrical engineer	(no equivalent 2014 data available). The Tier 2 minimum threshold is higher than the rate shown by the ASHE data.] Experienced worker: £27,600 [Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2014]
3213Paramedics	ALL jobs in this occupation code	Band 5 and equivalent:£21,478 Band 6 and equivalent: £25,783 Band 7 and equivalent: £30,764 [Source: NHS Agenda forChange 2014]
3411 Artist	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code:  Animator in visual effects and 2D/3D computer animation for the film, television or video games sectors	New entrant: £20,800 [Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2014. The Tier 2 minimum threshold is higher than the rate shown by the ASHE data.]Experienced worker:£21,500 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2013 (no equivalent 2014 data available)]
3414 Dancers andchoreographers	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code:  skilled classical ballet dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognised United Kingdom ballet companies (e.g. Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre, The Royal Ballet and Scottish Ballet).   The company must either: –     have performed at or been invited to perform at venues of the calibre of the Royal Opera House, Sadler’s	New entrant: £20,800 Experienced worker:£24,200 [Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2014. The Tier 2 minimum threshold is higher than the rate shown by the ASHE data for new entrants.]
	Wells or Barbican, either in theUnited Kingdom or overseas; or – attract dancers and/or choreographers and other artists from other countries; or – be endorsed as being internationally recognised by a United Kingdom industry body such as the Arts Councils (of England, Scotland and/or Wales)  skilled contemporary dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognised United Kingdom contemporary dance companies (e.g. Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company, Scottish Dance Theatre and Rambert Dance Company). The company must either: – have performed at or been invited to perform at venues of the calibre of Sadler’s Wells, the Southbank Centre or The Place, either in the United Kingdom or overseas; or – attract dancers and/or choreographers and other artists from all over the world; or – be endorsed as being internationally recognised by a United Kingdom industry body such as the Arts Councils (of England, Scotland and/or Wales)
3415 Musicians	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code:  skilled orchestral musicians who are leaders, principals, sub-principals or numbered string positions, and who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK orchestras (including London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)	New entrant: £20,800 Experienced worker:£24,200 [Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2014. The Tier 2 minimum threshold is higher than the rate shown by the ASHE data for new entrants.]
3416 Artsofficers, producers and directors	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code:  the following jobs in visual effects and 2D/3D computer animation for the film, television or video games sectors: – 2D supervisor – 3D supervisor – computer graphics supervisor – producer – production manager – technical director – visual effects supervisor	New entrant: £24,600 Experienced worker:£30,500 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014]
3421 Graphic designers	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code:  the following jobs in visual effects and 2D/3D computer animation for the film, television or video games sectors: –       compositing artist –       matte painter –       modeller –       rigger –       stereo artist –       texture artist	New entrant: £20,800 Experienced worker:£21,200 [Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2014. The Tier 2 minimum threshold is higher than the rate shown by the ASHE data for new entrants.]
3541 Buyersand purchasing officers	ONLY the following job in this occupation code:  manufacturing engineer (purchasing) in the aerospace industry	New entrant: £20,800 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2013 (no equivalent 2014 data available). The Tier 2 minimum threshold is higher than the rate shown by the ASHE data.] Experienced worker: £23,80 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014]
5215 Welding trades	ONLY the following job in this occupation code:  high integrity pipe welder where the job requires three or more years’ related onthe-job experience Sponsors must retain references from the individual’s past employer(s) detailing three or more years’ related on-the-job experience and provide these to the Home Office on request.	All workers: £20,800 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings2013/14 (no equivalent 2014 data available for new entrants). The Tier 2 minimum threshold is higher than the rates shown by the ASHE data.]
	Sponsors must also retain relevant evidence to enable them to justify the following: 1) – Why does the job require someone with three or more years’ related on-the-job experience? What elements of the job require this experience and why? 2) – Why could the job not be carried out to the required standard by someone with less experience? 3) – How would you expect a settled worker to gain this experience before being appointed to the post?
5235 Aircraft maintenance and related trades	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code:  licensed and military certifying engineer/inspector technician	New entrant: £21,900 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2014] Experienced worker: £27,100 [Source: Annual Survey ofHours and Earnings 2013 (no equivalent 2014 data available)]
5249 Line repairers and cable jointers	ONLY the following job in this occupation code:  overhead linesworker at Linesman Erector 2 (LE2) level and above, where the pay is at least £32,000 per year	£32,000 [Source: Migration AdvisoryCommittee]
5434 Chefs	ONLY the following job in this occupation code:  skilled chef where: – the pay is at least £29,570 per year after deductions for accommodation, meals etc; and – the job requires five or more years relevant experience in a role of at least equivalent status to the one they are entering; and – the job is not in either a fast food outlet, a standard fare outlet, or an establishment which provides a take-	£29,570 per year after deductions for accommodation, meals etc. [Source: Migration AdvisoryCommittee] Note: This salary cannot be pro-rated down for shorter working hours as it forms a key part of the shortage occupation criteria. Sponsors must retain pay records confirming that the individual is earning the appropriate skilled salary
	away service; and– the job is in one of the following roles: o executive chef – limited to one per establishment o head chef – limited to one per establishment o sous chef – limited to one for every four kitchen staff per establishment o specialist chef – limited to one per speciality per establishment A fast food outlet is one where food is prepared in bulk for speed of service, rather than to individual order. A standard fare outlet is one where the menu is designed centrally for outlets in a chain / franchise, rather than by a chef or chefs in the individual restaurant. Standard fare outlets also include those where dishes and / or cooking sauces are bought in ready-made, rather than prepared from fresh / raw ingredients. Sponsors must retain references from the individual’s past employer(s) detailing five or more years’ relevant experience in a role of at least equivalent status and provide these to the Home Office on request. Sponsors must also retain relevant evidence to enable them to justify the following: 1) – Why does the job require someone with at least five years’ previous experience in a role of at least equivalent status? What elements of the job require this experience and why? 2) – Why could the job not be carried out to the required standard by someone with less experience? 3) – How would you expect a settled worker to gain this experience before being appointed to the post?	and provide these to the Home Office on request

Scotland list:

SOC code and description	Job titles included on the Scotland Shortage Occupation List and further criteria	Minimum appropriate salary rate
N/A	ALL job titles and occupations onthe UK shortage occupation list	See UK list for details
2113 Physical scientists	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • jobs on the UK Shortage Occupation List • medical physicist • staff working in diagnostics radiology (including magnetic resonance imaging)	New entrant: £21,000 Experienced worker: £27,200 [Source: Evidence from partners who responded to Migration Advisory Committee in 2011, uplifted based on national changes in earnings]
2211 Medical practitioners	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code: • jobs on the UK Shortage Occupation List • consultant in clinical oncology • non-consultant, non-training, medical staff post in clinical radiology • CT3 trainee and ST4 to ST7 trainee in clinical radiology • all grades except CPT1in psychiatry • all grades in anaesthetics, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology	Speciality registrar (StR) and equivalent: £30,002 Speciality doctor and equivalent: £37,176 Consultant and equivalent: £75,249 [Source: NHS Employers Pay andConditions (M&D) Circular 2/2014]
2231 Nurses	ONLY the following jobs in this occupation code:  specialist nurse working in neonatal intensive care units Sponsors must retain evidence of the individual’s provisional / full NMC registration and provide this to the Home Office on request. (Registration may need to be done after the individual has entered the United Kingdom but must be done before starting work as a registered nurse).	Supervised practice nurses (Band3 and equivalent): £16,271 Band 5 and equivalent: £21,478 Band 6 and equivalent: £25,783 Band 7 and equivalent: £30,764 Band 8a and equivalent: £39,239 Band 8b and equivalent: £45,707 Band 8c and equivalent: £54,998 Band 8d and equivalent: £65,922 Band 9 and equivalent: £77,850 [Source: NHS Agenda for Change 2014]

If you receive a job offer from an employer that is on the Tier 2 Shortage Occupational List contact us today to find out how you can get your Tier 2 Visa approved quickly