Skilled Worker Visa Jobs in the UK – Updated List 2026

Skilled Worker Visa Jobs in the UK – Updated List 2026: Here’s an updated list of jobs and sectors eligible for UK Skilled Worker visas in 2026 — and how the system works when applying from overseas.

⚠ Important Update (2025–2026 changes):
From 22 July 2025, the UK tightened eligibility for the Skilled Worker visa. As a result:

• The minimum skill level was raised to roughly RQF Level 6 (similar to degree level) for most new applicants.

• Many lower-skilled roles are no longer eligible unless they appear on a Temporary Shortage List or the Immigration Salary List that runs until 31 Dec 2026.

This means only specific occupations with a sponsor in the UK qualify for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

✅ 1. Core Occupations Eligible for Skilled Worker Visa (Standard Route)

These are typical graduate-level or professional occupations still eligible for sponsorship:

Healthcare & Medical

• Doctors & surgeons

• Nurses & midwives

• Pharmacists

• Radiographers

• Physiotherapists

• Clinical scientists

These roles often lead to settlement after meeting salary and experience conditions.

Education & Research

• University lecturers and researchers

• Secondary and primary school teachers (specialist subjects)

• Education advisers & lecturers

Professional & IT Roles

• Software developers and engineers

• Data scientists / analysts

• Cybersecurity specialists

• Database administrators

• Network architects

• Cloud and AI engineers

Many digital and tech roles remain in high demand across the UK.

Skilled Trades (on Temporary Shortage Lists)

Under the Temporary Shortage List, some roles below RQF6 may be sponsored until the end of 2026 — but usually with stricter terms (e.g., may not allow dependants):

• Engineering technicians

• Electrical & electronics technicians

• Building & civil engineering technicians

• IT operations and support technicians

• Quality assurance and production technicians

• Logistics and planning technicians

These occupations were added because they face shortages.

✅ 2. What Is the Temporary Shortage List?

The Temporary Shortage List is a UK government list of occupations that temporarily remain eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, even if they do not meet the usual (degree-level) threshold.

This list is time-limited and reviewable — currently running until 31 December 2026 under current rules.

Examples of roles on this list include:

• Engineering technicians

• Logistics managers and planning technicians

• Certain IT technician roles

• Some design and production technician roles

Not all jobs are guaranteed; eligibility must be checked by SOC code on the official GOV.UK lists.

⚠ 3. Roles No Longer Eligible (Unless on Shortage List)

After the policy change in mid-2025, many “less skilled” roles were removed from Skilled Worker eligibility unless they are on the Temporary Shortage List. These include:

• Care assistants (in most regions, although some pathways may still exist)

• Retail roles

• Entry-level transport jobs

• Most hospitality positions

If a role is removed, it cannot be used for visa sponsorship unless a new policy adds it temporarily.

⭐ 4. Salary Threshold & Other Conditions

Even with an eligible job, these conditions must be met:

✔ Minimum salary requirement (often around £33,400 per year or the going rate for the job — whichever is higher).
✔ UK employer must be a licensed sponsor
✔ You must receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
✔ English language requirement (usually IELTS level B1 or equivalent)
✔ You must generally work in the job offered for the visa duration

📌 Tips for Overseas Applicants

Choose Your Job Carefully

• Only roles on the eligible occupation list or Temporary Shortage List qualify

• If your occupation was recently removed, it might still appear on the short-term list — but check the gov.uk site for the current year.

Use the Correct SOC Code

• Jobs are categorized by Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code on the gov.uk portal.

Work Offer & Sponsorship

• You cannot apply for the visa without a job offer from a UK company licensed as a sponsor — which will issue your CoS.

Salary Rules

• Your salary must meet the required going rate and minimum visa thresholds.

Summary – Top UK Skilled Worker Visa Jobs (2026)

Note: Some technician and trade roles are eligible under the Temporary Shortage List until end of 2026.

Final Words

Skilled Worker Visa Jobs in the UK – Updated List 2026: In 2026, the UK Skilled Worker visa continues to welcome professional, high-skill roles and selected occupations facing labour shortages — but the rules have become stricter on skill and salary levels. New applicants overseas must secure a sponsored job offer from a licensed UK employer in an eligible occupation and meet salary and English requirements before applying.

Disclaimer

This job information is shared for educational and informational purposes only.
Any discussion of visa categories is based on general immigration laws and publicly available information.