This guide is maintained as a current resource for July 2026 and covers only the laws of England and Wales. Information is for general guidance, not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Explanation of the UK Immigration Salary List, including how it affects Skilled Worker visa salary thresholds, eligible occupations, going rate requirements, and application rules for applicants and employers under current UK immigration law.
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) is a key component of the UK Skilled Worker visa system. It replaced the former Shortage Occupation List as part of reforms to the UK's points-based immigration framework.
The list identifies specific occupations where employers face recognised recruitment shortages. For applicants, it can affect salary thresholds, eligibility criteria, and the overall points required to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa.
The ISL is published and updated by the UK Home Office and forms part of the Immigration Rules, particularly Appendix Immigration Salary List.
What the Immigration Salary List is
The Immigration Salary List is a government-approved list of job roles considered to be in shortage within the UK labour market. It is maintained following advice from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), an independent public body that assesses labour market conditions.
Roles included on the ISL may benefit from reduced salary thresholds compared with standard Skilled Worker visa requirements. However, inclusion does not remove all visa requirements.
The list applies across both:
- Skilled Worker visa applications
- Health and Care Worker visa applications in relevant roles
Purpose of the Immigration Salary List
The ISL is designed to address labour shortages in specific sectors where UK-based recruitment alone is not sufficient. It operates as a targeted immigration concession rather than a general relaxation of visa rules.
Key objectives include:
- enabling employers to fill critical vacancies
- supporting sectors with long-term workforce shortages
- ensuring immigration is aligned with economic needs
At the same time, the system maintains safeguards such as minimum skill levels, sponsorship requirements, and salary controls.
How the Immigration Salary List affects visa eligibility
Being on the ISL does not automatically guarantee a Skilled Worker visa. Applicants must still meet all core requirements, including sponsorship, skill level, and English language ability.
However, ISL inclusion can affect salary thresholds.
Reduced salary threshold
Where a job appears on the Immigration Salary List, applicants may be eligible for a lower general salary threshold. In practice, this usually means:
- a reduced minimum salary requirement compared with standard Skilled Worker rules
- the requirement to still meet the occupation's “going rate”
- salary thresholds based on standard full-time hours (usually 37.5 hours per week)
Even with a reduction, applicants must still be paid appropriately for the role and occupation code.
Salary rules and the “going rate” requirement
A key feature of the ISL is that it does not remove the “going rate” requirement for the occupation.
Applicants must generally meet whichever is higher of:
- the reduced ISL threshold, and
- the occupation-specific going rate
This prevents undercutting of standard wages in shortage occupations.
In practice, this means that even if a job is on the ISL, employers cannot set salaries below the market rate defined for that occupation code under Home Office tables.
Occupations included on the Immigration Salary List
The ISL includes selected roles across multiple sectors, such as:
- health and social care roles
- construction and skilled trades
- science and research occupations
- engineering and technical roles
- creative arts and performance industries
Examples from the current list include care workers, laboratory technicians, architects, and certain scientific roles.
The list is divided by occupation code (SOC codes) and may include regional restrictions, meaning some roles apply only in specific parts of the UK.
Regional and occupation-specific conditions
Some ISL roles are restricted geographically or by role definition. This can include:
- Scotland-only or UK-wide eligibility variations
- restrictions to specific job functions within a broader occupation code
- requirements for employer accreditation (for example, in care sector roles)
These conditions mean that eligibility must be assessed at the level of both occupation code and job description, not just job title.
Relationship with the Skilled Worker visa system
The Immigration Salary List operates within the wider Skilled Worker visa framework. It does not replace the core visa requirements.
Applicants must still:
- hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer
- meet minimum skill level requirements
- demonstrate English language ability
- meet immigration status requirements for switching or applying from abroad
The ISL only modifies salary-related thresholds in limited circumstances.
Common risks and misunderstandings
1. Assuming the ISL removes salary requirements
The list reduces thresholds in certain cases but does not remove the need to meet the going rate.
2. Confusing ISL with shortage occupation rules
The ISL replaced the former Shortage Occupation List, but it is not identical in scope or effect.
3. Misunderstanding job eligibility
A job title alone is not sufficient; eligibility depends on SOC codes and job duties.
4. Incorrect salary calculations
Salary must be calculated based on standard full-time hours and must comply with Home Office definitions.
Practical steps for applicants
Applicants considering roles on the Immigration Salary List typically need to:
- confirm the correct SOC occupation code for their job
- check whether the role appears on the current ISL
- review the relevant salary thresholds for that code
- ensure the employer is a licensed sponsor
- verify that the Certificate of Sponsorship reflects accurate salary and role details
- prepare supporting documents for the visa application
Errors in any of these steps can lead to refusal or delays.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Immigration Salary List guarantee visa approval?
No. It only affects salary thresholds. All other Skilled Worker visa requirements still apply.
Can any employer use the ISL?
Only employers with a valid sponsor licence can assign Certificates of Sponsorship for ISL roles.
Does the ISL apply to all UK regions?
No. Some roles are restricted to specific regions such as Scotland or apply nationwide depending on the occupation code.
Is the ISL permanent?
No. It is updated periodically based on labour market assessments and government policy changes.
Key Takeaways
The Immigration Salary List is a Home Office framework that identifies shortage occupations where reduced salary thresholds may apply under the Skilled Worker visa system. It does not remove visa requirements but may lower the salary benchmark for eligible roles. Applicants must still meet the going rate for their occupation, hold sponsorship, and satisfy all standard immigration criteria. Careful review of the occupation code, salary rules, and regional conditions is essential before applying.
