UK Firms Can Still Hire Overseas Workers For This Job Despite New Visa Restrictions: TSL Explained

LONDON June 4: UK construction firms will still be able to hire foreign workers under new immigration rules, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed, despite broader efforts by the government to cut net migration.

Speaking before Parliament’s Home Affairs Committee on Tuesday, Cooper said that construction will remain on the new Temporary Shortage List (TSL) — a streamlined replacement for the Immigration Salary List — which ensures that critical industries are not impacted by recent visa clampdowns. The move comes as part of Labour’s strategy to reduce migration levels while shielding key sectors vital to economic growth.

“The construction sector will continue to be on the Temporary Shortage List,” Cooper told MPs, adding that only roles deemed “critical to the industrial strategy” would be eligible for inclusion. Employers using the TSL will be required to show how they plan to train and recruit UK workers in the long term.

The announcement offers relief to employers concerned about labour shortages, especially as most jobs will now only be eligible for overseas recruitment if they require degree-level qualifications. Other changes in the government’s immigration white paper include extending the minimum stay for foreign workers seeking settled status from five to ten years.

Currently, over 1,300 roles are listed on the Immigration Salary List, which allows employers to sponsor overseas workers at up to 20% below the standard salary threshold. However, Cooper argued that the system had become overly generous and failed to encourage investment in the domestic workforce. The new TSL will reduce that number significantly, with around 180 roles expected to be cut, though more than 1,000 occupations may still qualify.

Cooper’s remarks follow Labour’s broader push to undercut rising support for the anti-immigration Reform UK party, which made strong gains in recent local elections. The new measures aim to strike a balance between reducing reliance on migration and maintaining economic resilience.

What Is the Temporary Shortage List (TSL)?

As part of sweeping immigration reforms announced in the UK government’s White Paper titled “Restoring Control Over the Immigration System” on May 12, 2025, a key policy shift involves replacing the Immigration Salary List (ISL) with a more targeted mechanism — the Temporary Shortage List (TSL).

What Was the Immigration Salary List (ISL)?
The ISL, introduced in April 2024, succeeded the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). It allowed UK employers to sponsor overseas workers for roles experiencing labour shortages, often at a salary below the general threshold — but not lower than £30,960 or the specific occupational rate, whichever was higher.

The ISL was intended to address skills gaps by providing flexibility in hiring for designated roles. However, it has proven short-lived due to concerns it did not sufficiently encourage investment in the domestic workforce.

Why Replace It With the TSL?
The new Temporary Shortage List (TSL) reflects a more restrictive and responsive approach to managing migration and workforce planning. Its main objectives are to:

Reduce overall net migration
Promote domestic skills development
Ensure immigration is used as a temporary measure to address acute labour shortages

Key Features of the TSL
Targeted Occupations:
Focuses on jobs at RQF Levels 3–5 — typically skilled trades and technician-level roles — rather than those requiring a degree (RQF Level 6+).

Time-Limited Inclusion:
Roles listed on the TSL will only remain for a fixed period, based on up-to-date labour market conditions.

Dynamic & Data-Driven:
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will advise on which occupations qualify for inclusion, how long they should remain, and whether any caps or conditions should apply.

Tighter Criteria:
Compared to the ISL, the TSL will impose stricter requirements for inclusion, ensuring that sectors use immigration only where absolutely necessary.

Timeline for Implementation
Autumn 2025:
The MAC is expected to publish its initial recommendations on the TSL and updated salary thresholds.

Late 2025:
Following MAC advice, changes will be incorporated into Immigration Rules via legislative updates.

By January 2026:
The first phase of the new TSL system is anticipated to come into effect.

In essence, the TSL marks a significant policy shift — from broader, longer-term immigration support under the ISL to shorter-term, tightly controlled solutions focused on critical workforce gaps, with a clear emphasis on domestic workforce development.