The first question is not: “which candidate?” It is: is this position on the 2026 shortage occupation lists? Without that answer, you can lose 6 to 12 months of process— for a case that may be refused from the outset. But more importantly:👉 this is not the only pathway. Many employers overlook key alternatives: • Shortage occupations→ faster procedure, lighter requirements • Highly qualified profiles→ based on a minimum salary threshold, regardless of shortage lists • Execut