The United Kingdom is currently grappling with significant labour shortages across various industries, putting immense pressure on its economy. In response, the UK government has rolled out new visa programs and revised work regulations aimed at drawing international talent to fill crucial positions.
These changes come as key sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and construction face mounting challenges in finding enough local workers to meet demand. As a result, businesses are increasingly turning to foreign workers to maintain operations.
To streamline the hiring process for international workers, the government has introduced recruitment initiatives, adjusted the ETA system, and created new visa categories.
Key Sectors Facing Labour Shortages in 2025
Several industries are particularly struggling with staffing shortages in 2025, as outlined in reports. From agriculture to healthcare, nearly every sector is reporting difficulties in filling vital roles.
1. Agriculture
The UK’s agricultural sector has been hit hard, with many farms heavily reliant on seasonal foreign workers. Positions such as fruit pickers, dairy farm assistants, and greenhouse workers remain tough to fill, as fewer local workers are willing to take on these physically demanding jobs. To address this, the Seasonal Worker Visa has been introduced, offering short-term employment opportunities for foreign workers, with hourly wages ranging from £10.42 to £12.00 depending on experience.
2. Healthcare and Social Care
The UK’s healthcare system is facing significant staff shortages, especially in nursing and caregiving roles. With an aging population and increasing demand for services, positions such as care workers, home support workers, and nursing assistants are urgently needed. The Health and Care Worker Visa has been launched to enable international workers to take on essential healthcare roles, with salaries ranging from £10.75 to £16.00 per hour.
3. Construction and Trades
The construction industry is also experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, with roles such as bricklayers, plumbers, and electricians in high demand due to ongoing infrastructure projects. These positions often come with competitive pay, with experienced workers earning upwards of £25 per hour. The Skilled Worker Visa is being used to attract foreign workers with the necessary skills to fill these roles.
4. Hospitality and Tourism
Following the pandemic, the hospitality and tourism sectors have seen a resurgence in demand but are struggling to find enough workers. Roles like chefs, waiters, and hotel receptionists are particularly difficult to fill. To address this, the UK government is offering both the Skilled Worker Visa and the Temporary Work Visa to attract foreign talent to these high-demand positions, with salaries ranging from £10.50 to £14.00 per hour.
New Visa Pathways for Foreign Workers
To tackle the ongoing labour shortages, the UK government has introduced several visa options to allow foreign workers to fill critical vacancies:
- Seasonal Worker Visa: Designed for industries like agriculture, retail, and events, this visa offers foreign workers the chance to take on short-term, seasonal roles.
- Skilled Worker Visa: Aimed at sectors requiring specialized skills, such as healthcare, construction, and hospitality, this visa allows workers with specific expertise to secure long-term positions.
- Health and Care Worker Visa: Exclusively for the healthcare sector, this visa helps recruit care workers and other healthcare professionals from abroad.
- Temporary Work Visa: Designed for industries with fluctuating demand, such as hospitality, events, and retail, this visa supports short-term employment needs.
These new visa categories are part of a broader strategy to address labour shortages and ensure that vital sectors can continue to operate effectively.
The labour shortages in the UK are being felt across many industries, and the introduction of these new visa programs is seen as a crucial step in addressing the issue. By opening up more opportunities for international workers, the UK hopes to alleviate the strain on its economy and support sectors in urgent need of labour. With these changes, foreign professionals now have access to a range of work opportunities in the UK, benefiting both the workers and the industries they serve.
