The United Kingdom is currently facing a shortage of workers in various industries, including agriculture, construction and trades, healthcare and social care, as well as hospitality and tourism. This situation is reported to be putting significant pressure on the economy.
In order to tackle this issue, the UK government has introduced new visa programs and work regulations aimed at attracting international talent to fill essential roles.
The labour shortage has become so critical that businesses in various industries are now turning to foreign workers to maintain operations. According to the DAAD Scholarship, recruitment drives, adjustments to the ETA system, and the introduction of new visa categories have been implemented to streamline the hiring process for international workers.
UK Industries Facing Labour Shortages in 2025
Some sectors are particularly struggling with a lack of workers in 2025, reports inform. From agriculture to healthcare, nearly every sector is reporting difficulties in filling key roles.
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Agriculture
Agriculture in the UK has been hit especially hard according to reports, with many farms relying heavily on seasonal foreign workers. Roles such as fruit pickers, dairy farm assistants, and greenhouse workers are difficult to fill as fewer local workers are willing to take on the physically demanding jobs.
To address this, the Seasonal Worker Visa has been made available for foreign workers, offering short-term employment opportunities.
Salary: £10.42 – £12.00
The UK healthcare system is facing significant staff shortages, particularly in nursing and caregiving, according to reports. With an aging population and rising demand for healthcare services, positions such as care workers, home support workers, and nursing assistants are urgently needed.
To help fill these gaps, the Health and Care Worker Visa has been introduced, allowing international workers to come to the UK and take up essential healthcare roles.
Salary: £10.75 – £16.00 per hour.
Construction and trades
The construction industry is also experiencing a shortage of skilled workers. Key roles in the sector, such as bricklayers, plumbers, and electricians, are in high demand due to ongoing infrastructure projects and urban development.
Salary: £25 per hour.
Hospitality and tourism
With tourism rebounding after the pandemic, the hospitality sector according to DAAD Scholarship, has seen a surge in demand, but struggles to find enough workers to meet this demand. Roles such as chefs, waiters, and hotel receptionists are particularly hard to fill.
The government is offering both the Skilled Worker Visa and the Temporary Work Visa to attract foreign talent to these high-demand roles.
Salary: £10.50 – £14.00 per hour.
Visa Pathways for Foreign Workers
In response to the ongoing labour shortages, the UK government has introduced several visa options to allow foreign workers to fill these vacancies:
Seasonal worker visa: This visa is available for industries such as agriculture, retail, and events. It allows foreign workers to come to the UK for short-term, seasonal work.
Skilled worker visa: This visa targets sectors that require specific skill sets, such as healthcare, construction, and hospitality. It allows workers with particular expertise to take up long-term roles in the UK.
Health and care worker visa: Exclusively for the healthcare sector, this visa facilitates the recruitment of care workers and other healthcare professionals from abroad.
Temporary work visa: This visa is designed for industries with fluctuating, seasonal demand, such as hospitality, events, and retail.
Steps to Apply for a UK Work Visa
To find a job with visa sponsorship in UK, you are to follow these steps to apply for a work visa:
1. Find a Job: Use job portals like GOV.UK, LinkedIn, and Indeed.co.uk to locate positions that offer visa sponsorship.
2. Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Once hired, your employer will provide a CoS, a reference number necessary for your visa application.
3. Choose the Correct Visa: Select the appropriate visa type based on your profession. The Skilled Worker Visa is the most common.
4. Submit Your Application: Apply online through the UK Visa and Immigration portal, ensuring you have all required documents, including your CoS and proof of qualifications.
5. Pay Visa Fees: Fees range from £610 to £1,400 depending on the visa type and duration. Additionally, an Immigration Health Surcharge is typically £624 per year.
6. Submit Biometrics: Attend a visa application center to provide fingerprints and photographs.
7. Receive Your Decision: The application processing time is typically up to eight weeks.
8. Apply for Family Visas: After obtaining your visa, you can apply for family visas, allowing your family to join you in the UK.
The labour shortages in the UK are being felt across multiple industries, and the introduction of new visa programs is perceived as a step in addressing this issue. With these changes, foreign professionals are now able to access a variety of work opportunities in the UK, benefiting both the workers and the industries they support.
