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The UK's immigration landscape for skilled workers has evolved significantly with the replacement of the traditional Shortage Occupation List (SOL) by the Immigration Salary List (ISL) in April 2024. This change reflects the government’s focus on fair wages and market-based salary thresholds while continuing to address vital skill shortages across the UK.
If you’re an employer looking to sponsor international talent or a skilled professional seeking visa guidance, understanding the ISL is crucial. This blog explains the latest policies, eligibility criteria, salary thresholds, and key benefits of the ISL for 2026 and beyond. Whether you’re applying for a Skilled Worker visa, exploring routes to permanent residency, or need help interpreting salary requirements, this comprehensive guide is your trusted resource.
Shortage Occupation List UK (Immigration Salary List) 2026
The United Kingdom's immigration system is in a constant state of evolution. For skilled professionals, students, and businesses looking to navigate this landscape, 2026 has brought some of the most significant changes in years.
If you've been researching your UK visa options, you've almost certainly heard of the "Shortage Occupation List" (SOL). However, as of April 2024, this list is no longer in use.
The Home Office has officially replaced it with the new Immigration Salary List (ISL).
This isn't just a simple name change. This shift fundamentally alters the salary requirements and eligible occupations for the Skilled Worker visa route. Understanding this change is crucial, whether you are an individual applying for a visa or a UK employer looking to sponsor talent.
This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly what the new Immigration Salary List is, who it affects, and how you can use it to your advantage.
What is the Immigration Salary List (ISL)?
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) is the UK Home Office's official listing of occupations eligible for reduced salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker visa and Health and Care Worker visa routes. Unlike the former SOL, which focused primarily on occupation shortages, the ISL brings a sharper emphasis on salary levels to promote fair pay and reduce exploitation of migrant workers.
From 22 July 2025, the ISL no longer relaxes the minimum skill requirements for sponsorship, requiring most roles to be at RQF Level 6 or higher unless covered by the Temporary Shortage List (TSL) or transitional protections.
Additionally, the typical 20% salary discount for shortage roles has been removed, setting a minimum salary floor of £33,400 for highly skilled (RQF 6+) occupations.
Employers and applicants must meet these stricter salary and skill level requirements to qualify under the ISL, helping maintain a balanced and fair UK labour market while addressing genuine skill gaps.
Changes from Shortage Occupation List to ISL
The transition from SOL to ISL marks a major policy shift:
- Focus on Salary Over Occupation Alone: ISL requires compliance with market-driven salary thresholds, ensuring competitive wages for sponsored workers.
- Higher Salary Thresholds: General Skilled Worker visa threshold rose to £41,700 from 22 July 2025, with ISL roles having set floors (£33,400 for RQF 6+).
- Skill Level Enforcement: Sponsorship now requires RQF Level 6 skill for most ISL occupations unless the job is on the Temporary Shortage List.
- Elimination of Salary Discounts: New entrant and PhD salary discounts no longer apply to ISL occupations.
- Time-Bound List Entries: Each ISL occupation has an expiry date of 31 December 2026, requiring employers to plan ahead for potential changes.
These updates safeguard worker rights, protect wages, and encourage skill development within the domestic workforce.
Key Occupations on the Immigration Salary List
The ISL covers a curated list of occupations considered vital but where labour shortages persist, including but not limited to:
- Healthcare professionals such as nurses and medical practitioners under the Health and Care visa scheme
- Engineers, scientists, and technical specialists
- Skilled trades such as bricklayers, welders, and electricians
- Creative roles including artists, musicians, and dancers (subject to specific endorsements)
- Care workers and senior care workers under regulated conditions
Below are some sample salary thresholds from the ISL for selected occupations:
| Occupation Code | Job Types Included | Standard Rate | Lower Rate | Geographic Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2112 | Biological Scientists | £40,300 | £30,700 | UK wide |
| 6135 | Care Workers and Home Carers | £33,400 | £25,000 | UK wide (regulated activities requires CQC registration) |
| 5313 | Bricklayers | £33,400 | £25,000 | UK wide |
| 3111 | Laboratory Technicians (3+ year's experience) | £33,400 | £25,000 | UK wide |
For a full list of occupations and rates, see the Immigration Salary List (ISL) 2025.
Salary Thresholds and Visa Application Costs
Complying with the ISL salary thresholds is essential for successful Skilled Worker visa applications. Key salary points include:
- General Skilled Worker visa salary threshold: £41,700 (from 22 July 2025)
- ISL RQF 6+ roles: Minimum £33,400 annual salary, meeting 100% of the applicable going rate
- ISL RQF 3–5 roles (where permitted): Minimum £25,000 salary
- No salary discounts for new entrants or PhD holders on ISL roles
- Hourly pay floors apply based on a 48-hour workweek (£17.13 minimum hourly rate)
In addition to salary costs, employers sponsoring international workers must pay the Immigration Skills Charge, a fee critical for maintaining sponsor licences.
For detailed guidance, visit UK Immigration Skills Charge 2025.
UK visa application fees are also discounted for ISL roles, offering cost savings for both workers and sponsors, which can be explored further in the UK visa Fees 2025 Guide.
How to Apply for a Visa Using the Immigration Salary List
If your job is on the ISL, the application process follows the standard Skilled Worker route, but your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) will reflect the lower salary.
Here is a simplified step-by-step guide:
- Secure a Job Offer: You must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that holds a valid sponsor licence.
- Verify the Role: Confirm that your job title and SOC code are on the official Immigration Salary List.
- Receive Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Your employer will assign you a CoS. This digital document must state your job title, SOC code, and the salary, confirming it meets the ISL requirements.
- Gather Your Documents: You will need to prepare your passport, proof of your English language skills (e.g., IELTS or equivalent), and evidence of maintenance funds (unless your sponsor certifies this).
- Apply Online: You will complete the visa application on the GOV.UK website.
- Pay Fees and Attend Biometrics: You must pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). If you are struggling with these costs, you may research applying for a fee waiver, though criteria are very strict.
- Receive Your Decision: Once you submit your biometrics (photo and fingerprints), you will wait for a decision from the Home Office.
This visa is the first step on a longer journey. For those seeking permanent residence, you will eventually need to prepare for and pass the Life in the UK Test.
Benefits of the Immigration Salary List for Employers and Workers
The ISL provides several advantages:
- Lower Salary Thresholds: Reduced minimum salaries for eligible occupations compared to the standard Skilled Worker route
- Simplified Sponsorship: Employers benefit from a clear framework to sponsor key talent without extensive labour market tests
- Attracting Global Talent: Facilitates recruitment in sectors facing shortages, mitigating critical business risks
- Cost Efficiency: Lower visa and Health and Care visa fees reduce hiring costs
- Fair Pay Assurance: Protects sponsored workers from underpayment, aligning pay with market rates
Employers should also adhere to sponsor licence compliance and right to work checks to avoid penalties or licene revocations.
Compliance and Licencing Requirements
Sponsoring migrants under the ISL requires strict compliance with Home Office rules:
- Using correct SOC codes aligned to the job description and salary level
- Paying at least the required salary threshold and implementing hourly pay floor rules
- Maintaining a valid sponsor licence with accurate records of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS)
- Complying with right to work verification and keeping sponsorship details updated
- Understanding that some RQF 3–5 roles (e.g., care workers) require Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration
Failure to comply can lead to curtailment of sponsored workers' visas, fines, or revocation of sponsor licences.
For comprehensive support throughout this process, talk to our visa expert.
Conclusion:
The shift from the SOL to the ISL, the new high salary thresholds, and the introduction of a future Temporary Shortage List have made the UK immigration process more complex than ever.
Whether you are a skilled professional wondering if you qualify, a student planning your future, or an employer struggling to understand your sponsor duties, our expert team is here to help. At Westend Consultants, we specialise in providing visa services to employers and skilled migrant workers through the complexities of UK immigration rules.
Don't let confusing rules stand in the way of your UK ambitions.
Book a free consultation today to secure the talent your business needs and navigate the UK's changing immigration landscape with confidence.