Work and income
Where the shortage occupation lists are longest, and the visa rules follow the shortage.
AbroadMaster research from official shortage occupation listsVerified August 2026
This is the list that connects to your eligibility result. Demand is what turns a qualification into a visa, and a shortage listing is often what removes the labour market test.
Nursing, engineering, IT, trades
Headline shortage sectors
Opportunity Card lets you enter to look for work without an offer
Healthcare, trades, transport, STEM
Headline shortage sectors
Express Entry runs category-based draws aimed at these fields
Nursing, construction, teaching, IT
Headline shortage sectors
Core Skills Occupation List drives most employer-sponsored routes
| Rank | Country | Headline shortage sectors | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th place | United KingdomSalary thresholds rose sharply, so check the current floor | Health and care, education, engineering | Salary thresholds rose sharply, so check the current floor |
| 5th place | JapanSpecified Skilled Worker route is explicitly open to Sri Lankans | Care work, food service, construction, agriculture | Specified Skilled Worker route is explicitly open to Sri Lankans |
| 6th place | NetherlandsHighly Skilled Migrant route is decided on salary, not on points | IT, engineering, healthcare | Highly Skilled Migrant route is decided on salary, not on points |
| 7th place | New ZealandGreen List roles can go straight to residence | Healthcare, construction, dairy, trades | Green List roles can go straight to residence |
| 8th place | IT, healthcare, finance, engineering | ||
| 9th place | South KoreaEPS quota for Sri Lanka is one of the largest of any country | Manufacturing, shipbuilding, agriculture | EPS quota for Sri Lanka is one of the largest of any country |
| 10th place | IT, healthcare, engineering |
AbroadMaster research from official shortage occupation lists
Verified August 2026
Compiled by AbroadMaster from the official pages of each country named above. There is no single published index behind this list, and we are not claiming one.
This is information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules and figures change without notice. Confirm anything you plan to act on with the official authority for that country, and check your own position with the eligibility checker.
Average annual pay, adjusted so the figures are actually comparable.
Careers, finances, healthcare and settling in, rated by people who actually moved.
Statutory leave, paid sick days, maternity cover and average hours worked.
