The Immigration Salary List (ISL) has replaced the Shortage Occupation List with effect from 4 April 2024. This change comes as a result of recommendations by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).
The Immigration Salary List outlines the salary thresholds required for various UK work visas, ensuring compliance with immigration rules. It serves as a benchmark to assess whether a job role meets the financial criteria for a Skilled Worker Visa or other employment-based visa routes. The list is designed to ensure that migrant workers are fairly compensated and to prioritise access to roles that cannot be filled domestically.
In this guide to the UK Immigration Salary List, we share what we know to date about this new feature of visa sponsorship, and what it means for employers hiring sponsored workers.
What is the UK Immigration Salary List?
The UK Immigration Salary List is a framework that sets out the minimum salary thresholds required for roles eligible under the Skilled Worker visa or Health and Care Worker visa. It ensures that jobs offered to migrant workers meet specific salary standards to comply with UK immigration laws and prioritise roles that cannot be filled by the domestic workforce.The UK Immigration Salary List replaced the Shortage Occupation List under the Skilled Worker route of the UK’s Immigration Rules in April 2024.
The main benefit of inclusion on the Immigration Salary List is to allow UK-based employers to recruit skilled overseas nationals on a salary below the general threshold, with the discount being a maximum of 20%. Placement of an occupation on the Immigration Salary List allows a 20% discount on the general salary threshold, subject to not reducing salaries below the level of the occupation-specific threshold.
Immigration Salary List Minimum Thresholds
The general salary threshold for those applying under the Skilled Worker route is now £38,700, while the general salary threshold for occupations on the Immigration Salary List is £30,960. This means that an occupation on the list will either need to pay £30,960 or the occupation-specific threshold, whichever is higher.
For those already in the UK on the Skilled Worker route prior to the relevant changes being made to the Immigration Rules, they should be exempt from the new median salary levels when they apply to change sponsor, extend or settle. However, they should still expect their pay to progress at the same rate as resident workers in the UK, where they will be subject to the updated 25th percentiles using the latest pay data when they next make an application to change employment, extend their stay or settle in line with normal practice.
Any migrants seeking entry clearance to the UK via the Health and Care Worker Visa route will be exempt from the specific £38,700 salary threshold requirement applied to Skilled Workers, so that the UK government can continue to bring the healthcare workers that the UK’s care sector and NHS need. Workers in national pay scale occupations will also be exempt, where they will continue to be subject to their relevant occupational pay scales. This is because pay scale occupations would not receive any meaningful benefit from inclusion on the Immigration Salary List, as their occupation-specific thresholds are in all cases above the £23,200 general threshold that applies to pay scale occupations.
However, even though pay scale occupations have been excluded from the Immigration Salary List, this does not mean that these occupations are not in shortage, nor does it undermine the public value of many of these occupations, but rather their inclusion on the list would not help these occupations to utilise the immigration system any more effectively.
Employers and applicants alike should also bear in mind that given the increased level of salary thresholds, use of the Skilled Worker route will now be mainly for graduate-level occupations, as the levels of pay may be out of reach for many RQF 3-5 occupations, except for pay-scale and social care occupations which have exemptions.
How to use the UK Immigration Salary List
As with the Shortage Occupation List, the Immigration Salary List represents a list of occupations where UK-based employers face a shortage of suitable labour and where migration is considered a sensible response to that shortage. As such, job roles will only be included on this list where they are suitably skilled, there is a shortage of available resident workers and it is sensible for immigration to be a part of the solution, at least short term.
The Government intends that no sector should be permanently reliant on immigration, where roles should not remain on the Immigration Salary List forever. Generally, roles will only be included where they will meaningfully benefit from the discount to the salary threshold and where it is sensible to offer this discount to employers. This means that the discount must not put any downwards pressure on pay, such that it is likely to undermine efforts to recruit resident workers. Part of the consideration for adding a role to the list may also be whether the sector has a realistic and sustainable strategy for what happens when it is removed.
Immigration Salary List 2025
| Occupation code | Job types included on the immigration salary list | Areas of the UK which qualify | Standard rate | Lower rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1212 | Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services – only “fishing boat masters” | Scotland only | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 2111 | Chemical scientists – only jobs in the nuclear industry | Scotland only | £35,200 (£18.05 per hour) | £29,600 (£15.18 per hour) |
| 2112 | Biological scientists – all jobs | UK wide | £38,000 (£19.49 per hour) | £28,100 (£14.41 per hour) |
| 2115 | Social and humanities scientists – only archaeologists | UK wide | £36,400 (£18.67 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 2142 | Graphic and multimedia designers – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,100 (£12.87 per hour) |
| 3111 | Laboratory technicians – only jobs requiring 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 3212 | Pharmaceutical technicians – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,400 (£12.00 per hour) |
| 3411 | Artists – all jobs | UK wide | £32,800 (£16.82 per hour) | £25,900 (£13.28 per hour) |
| 3414 | Dancers and choreographers – only skilled classical ballet dancers or skilled contemporary dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK ballet or contemporary dance companies. The company must be endorsed as being internationally recognised by a UK industry body such as the Arts Councils (of England, Scotland or Wales). | UK wide | £31,200 (£16.00 per hour) | £30,000 (£15.38 per hour) |
| 3415 | Musicians – only skilled orchestral musicians who are leaders, principals, sub-principals or numbered string positions, and who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK orchestras. The orchestra must be a full member of the Association of British Orchestras. | UK wide | £35,300 (£18.10 per hour) | £30,400 (£15.59 per hour) |
| 3416 | Arts officers, producers and directors – all jobs | UK wide | £37,500 (£19.23 per hour) | £31,300 (£16.05 per hour) |
| 5119 | Agriculture and fishing trades not elsewhere classified – only jobs in the fishing industry | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 5213 | Welding trades – only high integrity pipe welders, where the job requires 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. | UK wide | £31,700 (£16.26 per hour) | £26,400 (£13.54 per hour) |
| 5235 | Boat and ship builders and repairers – all jobs | Scotland only | £34,100 (£17.49 per hour) | £26,300 (£13.49 per hour) |
| 5312 | Stonemasons and related trades – all jobs | UK wide | £32,400 (£16.62 per hour) | £26,200 (£13.44 per hour) |
| 5313 | Bricklayers – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,600 (£13.13 per hour) |
| 5314 | Roofers, roof tilers and slaters – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 5316 | Carpenters and joiners – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 5319 | Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only retrofitters | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,500 (£13.08 per hour) |
| 6135 | Care workers and home carers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. Private households or individuals (other than sole traders sponsoring someone to work for their business) cannot sponsor Skilled Worker applicants. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 6136 | Senior care workers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 6129 | Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified – only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 9119 | Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified – only deckhands on large fishing vessels (9 metres and above) where the job requires the worker to have at least 3 years’ full-time experience in using their skills. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
SOC Codes
The Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) codes listed above relate to the SOC 2020 coding system and the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) pay data. This followed a change from the 2010 system in April 2024; employers will need to ensure that any Certificates of Sponsorship issued from 4 April onwards use the new coding system.
Employers must ensure they select the correct SOC code for a sponsored work visa. This information will be scrutinised by the Home Office and you may need to provide evidence to support the choice of SOC code, particularly where a lower salary threshold is being applied.
When selecting a SOC code, look at the occupation details and job description rather than the job title, and ensure this reflects the individual’s job description, duties, skills and experience. Selecting an incorrect SOC code can result in a refused application.
Need assistance?
As employer solutions lawyers, DavidsonMorris advises employers on all aspects of work visa sponsorship, in particular hiring workers under the Skilled Worker visa route. With the Immigration Salary List a relatively new feature, and since it remains subject to change, employers may find this a complex area to navigate. For advice on the ISL, its implications on your recruitment processes, visa eligibility, assigning SOC codes or any issue relating to hiring points-based visa workers, contact us.
Immigration Salary List FAQs
What is the UK Immigration Salary List?
The UK Immigration Salary List sets out the minimum salary thresholds for jobs eligible under certain visa routes, such as the Skilled Worker Visa.
Why does the UK have a salary list for immigration?
The salary list ensures migrant workers are paid fairly and prioritises roles that cannot be filled domestically, supporting the UK economy.
What is the minimum salary for the Skilled Worker Visa?
The general threshold is £38,700 per year. However, lower thresholds may apply for shortage occupations, new entrants, or specific sectors.
Can part-time roles meet the salary requirements?
Yes, but the pro-rated salary must still meet the hourly rate or the equivalent annual threshold for the role.
Are salary thresholds different for new entrants?
Yes, new entrants, such as recent graduates or workers under 26, may qualify for lower thresholds starting at £20,960 per year.
Do all benefits count towards meeting the salary threshold?
No, only guaranteed pay such as basic salary is considered. Bonuses, overtime, and non-cash benefits are excluded.
How often is the salary list updated?
The salary list is reviewed and updated periodically to reflect changes in economic conditions and labour market needs.
What happens if the salary does not meet the threshold?
The visa application may be refused, and the employer risks non-compliance with immigration rules, which could affect their sponsor licence.
Can healthcare and education roles have different thresholds?
Yes, many healthcare and teaching roles have lower salary thresholds due to their inclusion on the shortage occupation list.
Where can I find the latest salary thresholds?
The latest salary thresholds are published on the UK Government website under immigration guidance for employers and applicants.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| UK Immigration Salary List | A framework outlining the minimum salary thresholds for jobs eligible under certain visa routes, such as the Skilled Worker Visa. |
| Skilled Worker Visa | A visa route allowing overseas workers to take up eligible skilled jobs in the UK, subject to meeting salary and other requirements. |
| Salary Threshold | The minimum annual or hourly wage required for a job to qualify under specific immigration visa rules. |
| Shortage Occupation | A job category recognised by the UK Government as having insufficient skilled workers in the domestic labour market, often with lower salary thresholds. |
| New Entrants | Applicants considered at the start of their careers (e.g., under 26 or recent graduates), qualifying for reduced salary thresholds. |
| Annual Salary | The gross yearly wage offered to a worker, used to determine whether the job meets the salary threshold. |
| Hourly Rate | The minimum wage per hour required for a role, relevant for part-time jobs or roles calculated on an hourly basis. |
| Pro-Rated Salary | Adjusted salary for part-time roles, which must still meet the minimum hourly wage threshold. |
| Healthcare and Education Roles | Occupations within the healthcare and education sectors, often included in the shortage occupation list, allowing reduced salary thresholds. |
| Guaranteed Pay | The fixed salary amount used to meet the salary threshold, excluding bonuses, overtime, and non-cash benefits. |
| Shortage Occupation List (SOL) | A list of jobs where there is a recognised skills shortage in the UK, allowing for reduced salary requirements under the Skilled Worker Visa. |
| Sponsor Licence | A permit required by UK employers to hire workers from overseas, ensuring compliance with visa and salary regulations. |
| Immigration Rules | The legal framework governing the entry, stay, and employment of foreign nationals in the UK. |
| Economic Conditions | Factors such as inflation and labour market demand that influence updates to salary thresholds and job eligibility. |
| Labour Market Needs | Areas where the UK economy requires additional workers, often reflected in adjustments to the shortage occupation list and salary thresholds. |
| Non-Cash Benefits | Perks such as company cars or accommodation, which do not count towards meeting salary thresholds. |
| Application Refusal | The outcome when a visa application is rejected, often due to failing to meet salary or eligibility criteria. |
| Home Office | The UK Government department responsible for immigration, including work visa applications and salary threshold enforcement. |
| Periodic Review | The regular process of updating the salary list to ensure it aligns with current economic and labour market trends. |
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
