What is the UK Immigration Salary List?
The UK Immigration Salary List (ISL) was introduced to replace the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) as part of the reforms to the Skilled Worker route under the UK’s Immigration Rules. Officially effective from 4 April 2024, the ISL represents a shift in the government’s approach to managing skilled worker immigration. Rather than focusing solely on occupations facing acute shortages, it prioritises roles for which offering a discounted salary threshold makes strategic sense for the broader economy.
Additionally, the ISL aims to make the Skilled Worker route more aligned with strategic economic priorities, focusing on key sectors that are pivotal to the UK’s growth and innovation.
Under the new system, occupations featured on the ISL can qualify for a 20% reduction in the general salary threshold, though this discount cannot bring the salary below occupation-specific minimums. This approach contrasts with the previous Shortage Occupation List, where employers could hire at 80% of the market rate if the job was in short supply. The adjustment aims to deter practices that might undercut local wages and protect both domestic workers and migrant employees.
Moreover, this approach seeks to ensure that only roles that genuinely require overseas talent benefit from the reduced thresholds, thereby aligning immigration policy with labour market needs.
The ISL currently encompasses 23 occupations across several sectors, including agriculture, construction, healthcare, and the creative industries. This list will be subject to ongoing evaluation, with the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) conducting periodic reviews to adapt to changing economic needs. MAC is already set to carry out an extensive reassessment later in 2024, which will involve consulting stakeholders and analysing labour market conditions to ensure the ISL effectively meets both workforce requirements and broader policy objectives.
The ISL is also intended to be flexible, allowing the government to adjust the list dynamically based on evolving labour shortages, economic shifts, and emerging skills gaps, thus enhancing the resilience of the UK workforce.
Understanding the UK Immigration Salary List
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) outlines reduced salary thresholds for certain occupations under the UK’s Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visa routes. It replaces the earlier Shortage Occupation List and modifies the salary structure for eligible roles, making distinctions based on different visa types and job classifications.
For roles listed on the ISL under the Skilled Worker visa, the general salary threshold has been set at £30,960, which is a 20% reduction from the new standard rate of £38,700. However, employers must still ensure that salaries do not fall below the occupation-specific thresholds, which are defined according to national wage data for each job type. This adjustment means that, for some roles, the actual discount in salary may be smaller than 20%, particularly when the occupation-specific threshold is higher than the general salary threshold.
Similarly, the Health and Care Worker visa has its own specific considerations. Occupations on the ISL for this route are subject to a reduced general salary threshold of £23,200 instead of the £29,000 standard threshold. Nevertheless, the salary must also meet or exceed the occupation-specific threshold for these roles, ensuring that healthcare roles continue to offer competitive remuneration.
It’s important to note that although the ISL provides a salary reduction compared to the general thresholds, the going rate for each specific occupation cannot be discounted further, a change from the previous Shortage Occupation List. The ISL aims to provide targeted support for sectors that can benefit from a lower salary barrier without compromising fair wages for workers.
The ISL will be regularly reviewed by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), ensuring that the salary levels and eligible occupations align with economic needs and workforce priorities.
Furthermore, the ISL is intended to be used by employers not just as a hiring guide, but as a strategic tool to understand where overseas recruitment can complement local talent, particularly in high-impact industries such as healthcare and advanced manufacturing.
Benefits of a Role Being on the Immigration Salary List
The primary benefit of having a role on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) is that it allows UK employers to recruit skilled overseas workers at a salary below the standard threshold. For roles included on the ISL, employers can take advantage of a 20% reduction in the general salary requirement, enabling access to international talent at a more manageable cost.
In addition to salary flexibility, there is a small reduction in visa fees for roles on the Skilled Worker route. However, this reduction, approximately £60 per year, is marginal and unlikely to be a significant factor in hiring decisions, especially given recent increases in both salary thresholds and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Notably, Health and Care Worker visa roles already benefit from reduced visa fees, meaning they do not gain additional fee discounts from being listed on the ISL.
Beyond these direct financial benefits, the inclusion of roles on the ISL may indicate broader government support for Beyond these direct financial benefits, the inclusion of roles on the ISL may indicate broader government support for key sectors. By prioritising these occupations, the ISL provides a pathway for sectors facing strategic challenges to hire overseas talent while maintaining salary competitiveness, indirectly supporting broader economic and societal benefits.
In the long term, the ISL may also help stimulate investment in training and education within key sectors, as employers seek to balance overseas recruitment with the development of local talent pipelines.
Following the rapid review commissioned by the Home Secretary on 17 January 2024, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) assessed the composition of the newly introduced Immigration Salary List (ISL). This review, completed on 23 February 2024, focused on aligning the ISL with the increased salary thresholds and provided interim recommendations regarding which occupations should be included.
The MAC recommended temporarily adding 51 occupations from the previous Shortage Occupation List, as well as 10 additional occupations highlighted in its 2023 review. These additions are intended as provisional measures to support the implementation of new immigration rules from April 2024. However, due to the expedited nature of the review, the MAC did not conduct the usual level of stakeholder consultation. Instead, it relied on data and stakeholder feedback gathered during its 2023 Shortage Occupation List review.
A more comprehensive review of the ISL is expected later in 2024, during which the MAC plans to conduct extensive stakeholder engagement, including calls for evidence and roundtable discussions. This forthcoming review will reassess the ISL in light of economic conditions and updated salary thresholds, ensuring that the list remains relevant and effective for the evolving needs of the UK’s workforce.
Complete List of Roles on the Immigration Salary List 2024
How to Use the Immigration Salary List
Employers looking to recruit skilled workers from overseas should consult the ISL to determine if the role they are hiring for qualifies for a reduced salary threshold. It is important to ensure that all criteria, including specific experience requirements, are met to benefit from the reduced salary requirements.
The ISL also serves as a useful benchmark to understand which roles are being actively supported by the UK government for migration, indicating priority sectors.
The Immigration Salary List for 2024 includes a range of occupations that have been identified as eligible for a salary threshold discount, allowing employers to recruit skilled workers at a reduced salary rate. For example, the ISL’s provision for welders highlights the importance of specialised skills in the construction sector, ensuring that critical infrastructure projects have access to the workforce they need.
The list was finalised as part of the updated immigration rules effective from 4 April 2024, following recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). A total of 21 occupations have been included, representing a significant adjustment from the former Shortage Occupation List, which covered approximately 30% of roles under the Skilled Worker route. The current list is more targeted, with 18 occupations eligible across the UK and 3 specific to Scotland. This focus aims to ensure that the discount is applied where it is most likely to benefit both employers and employees in areas with skill gaps or economic importance.
Occupations included on the ISL are spread across various sectors, such as healthcare, construction, creative industries, and scientific research. For instance, roles like laboratory technicians, stonemasons, and skilled dancers have been recognised for their importance to the UK economy and are now eligible for reduced salary thresholds. The list also acknowledges specific geographic needs, such as fishing boat masters being included for Scotland only.
Overview of Roles on the UK Immigration Salary List
The following table provides a comprehensive view of job roles listed on the UK’s Immigration Salary List, detailing specific SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) codes, qualifying regions, and minimum salary thresholds for skilled worker applications. These roles are critical for prospective applicants to review, as they have specific eligibility criteria and regional limitations.
| Occupation Code | Job Role & Specifics | Area Eligibility | Standard Salary | Lower Salary |
| 1212 | Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing, and related services (fishing boat masters only) | Scotland only | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 2111 | Chemical scientists (nuclear industry jobs only) | 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 (archaeologists only) | 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 (minimum 3 years’ on-the-job experience) | 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 (classical or contemporary dancers meeting UK standards) | UK-wide | £31,200 (£16.00 per hour) | £30,000 (£15.38 per hour) |
| 3415 | Musicians (orchestral musicians meeting UK standards) | 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 (fishing industry jobs only) | UK-wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 5213 | Welding trades (high integrity pipe welders with 3+ years’ experience) | 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 (retrofitters only) | UK-wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,500 (£13.08 per hour) |
| 6135 | Care workers and home carers (varies by sponsor registration in England) | UK-wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 6136 | Senior care workers (varies by sponsor registration in England) | UK-wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 6129 | Animal care services (racing grooms, stud handlers, work riders, etc.) | UK-wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 9119 | Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations (deckhands on large fishing vessels) | UK-wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
The ISL aligns with the new SOC 2020 coding system, which replaces the older SOC 2010 standards. This shift reflects updated data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and means that employers must now use the new codes when issuing Certificates of Sponsorship from 4 April 2024 onwards.
Employers should also note that with the increased salary thresholds, the Skilled Worker route will predominantly cater to graduate-level roles, with exemptions in place for specific sectors like social care and those with nationally recognised pay scales. The Migration Advisory Committee will continue to review the ISL to ensure it meets evolving labour market needs, with stakeholder engagement planned to assess the ongoing relevance and effectiveness of the listed occupations.
The Migration Advisory Committee will continue to review the ISL to ensure it meets evolving labour market needs, with stakeholder engagement planned to assess the ongoing relevance and effectiveness of the listed occupations.
