UK Lists 70 Shortage Jobs for Foreigners: 4 Steps Nigerians Must Take Before Applying
UK Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.
The United Kingdom has outlined a four-step process for foreigners seeking employment through its Skilled Worker visa route after publishing a temporary shortage list covering 70 occupations.
The list contains jobs across several sectors, including construction, engineering, information technology, finance and creative industries, giving eligible foreign workers an opportunity to seek sponsored employment in the UK.
However, appearing on the shortage list does not automatically guarantee a visa. Applicants must meet the immigration, salary and sponsorship requirements attached to their chosen occupation before submitting an application.
The latest development could attract attention from Nigerians and other African professionals looking to secure employment in the UK, particularly those with experience in technical and skilled occupations.
UK lists 70 jobs foreigners can apply for
The Temporary Shortage List covers a wide range of occupations that the UK government considers eligible under the relevant Skilled Worker arrangements.
Some of the jobs include electricians and electrical fitters, plumbers and heating engineers, pipe fitters, steel erectors, painters and decorators.
The list also includes selected positions in IT, engineering, finance and other professional fields.
Among the occupations with higher listed salary rates are directors in consultancy services, with a standard rate of £70,100 per year, while ship and hovercraft officers have a listed rate of £58,300.
The salary requirement, however, differs from one occupation to another, meaning applicants should check the specific rate attached to their job rather than relying on a general figure.
Four steps foreigners must follow for UK Skilled Worker visa
Foreigners hoping to use one of the listed occupations must complete several stages before they can apply for the visa.
1. Check the occupation code
The first step is to establish the correct occupation code for the job and confirm that it appears on the Temporary Shortage List.
This is important because a job title alone does not determine whether an applicant qualifies. The duties associated with the position must correspond with the relevant occupation code.
Applicants should therefore check the official UK occupation classification before proceeding with a job application.
2. Confirm the required salary
The second step is to determine the minimum salary attached to the occupation.
The salary requirement varies across the shortage occupations. While many Skilled Worker positions have a standard salary threshold, some jobs on the temporary list have lower applicable rates.
Some of the listed occupations have salary rates starting from about £33,400 per year, while other specialised positions require significantly higher earnings.
Applicants should confirm the salary applicable to their specific occupation before accepting an employment offer.
3. Secure a sponsored job offer
Applicants must then obtain a job offer from a UK employer that is authorised to sponsor foreign workers.
Once the employer agrees to sponsor the worker, it issues a Certificate of Sponsorship, commonly known as a CoS.
The certificate is electronic and contains information about the job and the applicant’s sponsorship. Its reference number is required when completing the visa application.
This means that simply finding a job advertised in the UK is not enough. Foreign applicants need to establish whether the employer is able and willing to sponsor them under the relevant immigration route.
4. Apply for the Skilled Worker visa
After meeting the occupation, salary and sponsorship conditions, the applicant can proceed with the Skilled Worker visa application.
The application is completed online, with the applicant required to provide the necessary information and supporting documentation.
Applicants should also pay attention to the validity period of their Certificate of Sponsorship and ensure that the visa application is submitted within the required timeframe.
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Salary is one of the biggest requirements
One of the issues prospective applicants need to understand is that the shortage list does not mean every job has the same salary requirement.
The government has assigned different rates to different occupations.
For instance, directors in consultancy services have a listed standard rate of £70,100 annually, while ship and hovercraft officers have a rate of £58,300.
Other occupations have lower applicable rates, with some listed around the £33,400 level.
This makes it important for applicants to check the salary requirement attached specifically to their occupation before spending money on visa processing or relocation plans.
What the UK shortage list means for Nigerian applicants
For Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad, the announcement could create interest in technical and skilled occupations that are difficult to fill locally in the UK.
Electricians, plumbers, engineering workers, IT professionals and other eligible workers may find the list particularly relevant if they have the required qualifications and experience.
But applicants should be cautious about agents or individuals promising guaranteed UK employment simply because a particular occupation appears on the list.
The shortage list creates an immigration pathway for qualifying workers; it does not provide applicants with employment automatically.
A foreign worker still needs an eligible job, an approved sponsor, the required salary and a successful visa application.
Employers also have responsibilities
UK employers that want to sponsor foreign workers must hold the appropriate sponsor licence.
Businesses that do not already have a sponsor licence can apply to the Home Office for one.
The reported fees are £611 for small businesses and charities and £1,682 for medium-sized and large organisations.
The sponsor licence process can also take several weeks, meaning employers seeking to recruit workers from overseas need to begin the process early.
Why applicants should not wait until the last minute
The Temporary Shortage List is a temporary immigration arrangement rather than a permanent guarantee that the occupations will remain eligible indefinitely.
That makes timing particularly important for people considering the UK as a destination for work.
Applicants should verify that their occupation remains eligible at the time they apply and should rely on current UK immigration rules rather than old job adverts or social media posts.
The most important takeaway is that having a profession listed among the 70 occupations is only the starting point. The applicant must still complete the sponsorship and visa process successfully.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK Temporary Shortage List?
It is a list of occupations facing labour shortages that can qualify under specific UK Skilled Worker immigration arrangements.
Can foreigners apply for the 70 UK shortage jobs?
Yes. Foreign nationals can seek eligible positions, but they must satisfy the applicable visa requirements, including salary and sponsorship conditions.
Can Nigerians apply for UK shortage jobs?
Yes. Nigerians can apply for eligible positions if they meet the requirements of the relevant Skilled Worker route and secure sponsorship from an approved UK employer.
Do I need a job offer to apply for the UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Applicants generally need an eligible job offer from a UK employer authorised to sponsor workers before applying through the Skilled Worker route.
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic record issued by an approved UK employer to a worker they intend to sponsor. The certificate contains information about the sponsored employment and provides a reference number needed for the visa application.
How much do UK shortage-list jobs pay?
The salary varies according to the occupation. Some listed roles have salary rates around £33,400 annually, while specialised positions can have rates above £50,000 or £70,000.
Are electricians included on the UK shortage list?
Yes. Electricians and electrical fitters are among the occupations included in the list, subject to the applicable immigration and salary requirements.
Are IT jobs included in the UK shortage list?
Yes. Several IT-related occupations appear among the listed roles, making the route potentially relevant to qualified foreign technology workers.
Does being on the shortage list guarantee a UK visa?
No. Inclusion on the list does not guarantee visa approval. Applicants must still meet the relevant Skilled Worker requirements, obtain sponsorship and successfully complete the visa application process.
What should Nigerians check before applying?
Applicants should first confirm that their occupation is eligible, check the applicable salary, verify that the employer is authorised to sponsor workers and understand the current visa requirements before paying any agent or recruitment company.