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August 14, 2025Immigration Salary List UK 2025: All You Need to Know
Vishang Shah
The UK Immigration Salary List underwent major changes on July 22, 2025, raising salary thresholds to £41,700 and increasing skill requirements. From 22 July 2025, most new Skilled Worker applications must show a salary of at least £41,700 a year and £17.13 an hour, or 100% of the occupation's going rate if that figure is higher. These changes affect thousands of employers and visa applicants across the UK.
This comprehensive guide will equip you with everything you need to understand about the Immigration Salary List, from the latest threshold changes to specific SOC codes and salary requirements. Whether you're an employer planning to sponsor overseas workers or a skilled professional considering a UK work visa, understanding the Immigration Salary List is crucial for successful visa applications.
What Is the Immigration Salary List?
Overview & Purpose
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) outlines the salary thresholds required for various UK work visas is used as the benchmark to assess whether a job role meets the financial criteria for a Skilled Worker Visa or other sponsored work-based visa routes. The ISL serves as a framework that prioritises occupations where the UK faces genuine skills shortages.
The UK Immigration Salary List (ISL) for skilled worker visa was introduced on 4th of April 2024 to replace the Shortage Occupation List UK (SOL). This system ensures that migrant workers receive fair compensation while supporting sectors where domestic recruitment proves challenging.
2025 Skilled Worker Visa Salary Thresholds
Minimum Salary Requirements
The July 22, 2025 changes introduced substantial increases across all salary categories:
Standard Skilled Worker Route (Option A):
- Previous threshold: £38,700 annually
- New threshold: £41,700 annually
- Hourly minimum: £17.13 per hour
PhD Holders (Option B):
- New threshold: £37,500 annually
STEM PhD/New Entrants/ISL Roles RQF 6+ (Options C, D, E):
- New threshold: £33,400 annually
Health and Care Workers (Option F):
- Threshold: £31,300 annually (for continuing employment)
- With non-STEM PhD: £28,200 annually
Sector-based Salary
If your job is on the list, the minimum salary is 80% of the route's usual minimum rate to qualify for a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa. This means ISL occupations benefit from reduced thresholds while still meeting occupation-specific going rates.
Healthcare and education roles follow special rules based on national pay scales, providing additional flexibility for these critical sectors.
Occupation Codes (SOC Codes) & Salary Links
All eligible occupations use Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2020 codes. Occupation codes changed on 4 April 2024. Some codes may be different from codes you have used previously. Employers must use the CASCOT occupation coding tool to identify correct codes for their roles.
Occupations on the Immigration Salary List 2025
Comprehensive Job Categories
The current Immigration Salary List includes diverse occupations across multiple sectors:
Healthcare & Life Sciences:
- Chemical scientists in nuclear industry (Scotland only)
- Biomedical scientists
- Clinical technologists
- Various healthcare support roles
Engineering & Technology:
- Civil engineers
- Mechanical engineers
- Software developers
- Cyber security specialists
Maritime & Transportation:
- Ship officers
- Deckhands on large fishing vessels (9 metres and above)
- Aviation maintenance technicians
Care & Social Services:
- Residential care managers
- Social workers
- Care coordinators
High-demand Roles (Shortage Occupations)
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 (UK wide) exemplifies roles where specific experience requirements apply.
Regional variations exist, with certain occupations only qualifying in specific countries within the UK, particularly Scotland-specific roles in scientific and technical fields.
Current Immigration Salary List: Official SOC Codes and Salary Requirements
The following table presents the complete Immigration Salary List as published by the UK Government, showing all eligible occupations with reduced salary thresholds:
| SOC Code | Occupation | Geographic Coverage | Standard Rate (80% Discount) |
Lower Rate | Experience Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Science & Research | |||||
| 2111 | Chemical scientists (nuclear industry only) | Scotland only | £35,200 (£18.05/hr) | £29,600 (£15.18/hr) | Industry specific |
| 2112 | Biological scientists (all jobs) | UK wide | £38,000 (£19.49/hr) | £28,100 (£14.41/hr) | All levels |
| 2115 | Social and humanities scientists (archaeologists only) | UK wide | £36,400 (£18.67/hr) | £25,200 (£12.92/hr) | Archaeology specific |
| 3111 | Laboratory technicians | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88/hr) | £25,000 (£12.82/hr) | 3+ years experience |
| 3212 | Pharmaceutical technicians | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88/hr) | £25,000 (£12.82/hr) | All levels |
| Creative Industries | |||||
| 2142 | Graphic and multimedia designers | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88/hr) | £25,100 (£12.87/hr) | All levels |
| 3411 | Artists (all jobs) | UK wide | £32,800 (£16.82/hr) | £25,900 (£13.28/hr) | All levels |
| 3414 | Dancers and choreographers | UK wide | £31,200 (£16.00/hr) | £30,000 (£15.38/hr) | Classical ballet/contemporary only |
| 3415 | Musicians | UK wide | £35,300 (£18.10/hr) | £30,400 (£15.59/hr) | Orchestral musicians only |
| 3416 | Arts officers, producers and directors | UK wide | £37,500 (£19.23/hr) | £31,300 (£16.05/hr) | All levels |
| Construction & Skilled Trades | |||||
| 5213 | Welding trades | UK wide | £31,700 (£16.26/hr) | £26,400 (£13.54/hr) | High integrity pipe welders, 3+ years |
| 5235 | Boat and ship builders/repairers | Scotland only | £34,100 (£17.49/hr) | £26,300 (£13.49/hr) | All levels |
| 5312 | Stonemasons and related trades | UK wide | £32,400 (£16.62/hr) | £26,200 (£13.44/hr) | All levels |
| 5313 | Bricklayers | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88/hr) | £25,600 (£13.13/hr) | All levels |
| 5314 | Roofers, roof tilers and slaters | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88/hr) | £25,000 (£12.82/hr) | All levels |
| 5316 | Carpenters and joiners | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88/hr) | £25,200 (£12.92/hr) | All levels |
| 5319 | Construction trades (retrofitters only) | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88/hr) | £25,500 (£13.08/hr) | Retrofitters only |
| Maritime & Agriculture | |||||
| 1212 | Fishing boat masters | Scotland only | £30,960 (£15.88/hr) | £25,200 (£12.92/hr) | Management level |
| 5119 | Agriculture and fishing trades | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88/hr) | £25,000 (£12.82/hr) | Fishing industry only |
| 9119 | Deckhands on large fishing vessels | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88/hr) | £25,000 (£12.82/hr) | 9m+ vessels, 3+ years |
| Care Sector | |||||
| 6135 | Care workers and home carers | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88/hr) | £25,000 (£12.82/hr) | CQC registration required (England) |
| 6136 | Senior care workers | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88/hr) | £25,000 (£12.82/hr) | CQC registration required (England) |
| 6129 | Animal care services | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88/hr) | £25,000 (£12.82/hr) | All levels |
How Is the Salary List Used in Visa Applications?
Step-by-step Guide for Applicants
1. Verify Occupation Eligibility: Check if your role appears on the current Immigration Salary List using the official gov.uk database.
2. Calculate Required Salary: Determine which threshold applies - either the discounted ISL rate or standard going rate, whichever is higher.
3. Confirm Regional Qualification: Ensure your workplace location qualifies for any region-specific occupations.
4. Document Salary Components: The annual salaries for these jobs are based on a 37.5-hour working week. They must be pro-rated for other working patterns, based on the weekly working hours stated by your employer.
What if your job or salary isn't on the list?
Jobs not on the Immigration Salary List must meet standard Skilled Worker requirements:
- £41,700 minimum annual salary (from July 22, 2025)
- RQF Level 6 skill requirement (graduate level)
- Meet occupation-specific going rates
Alternative routes like the Global Business Mobility visa or Scale-up visa may offer different pathways for specific circumstances.
2025 Updates & Key Changes
New Occupations Added/Removed
From 22 July 2025, a job must normally be graded at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6 (roughly graduate level) to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker route. This change removed upto approximately 180 mid-skill occupations from eligibility.
Major Removals:
- Most RQF Level 3-5 occupations
- Various construction and manufacturing roles
- Some administrative and customer service positions
Additions: Two care management roles were added to provide continued support for the care sector:
- Residential, day and domiciliary care managers
- Care proprietors
Compliance Tips for Applicants & Employers
Documentation Checklist
For Employers:
- Valid sponsor licence
- Correct SOC code assignment
- Salary calculation documentation
- Certificate of Sponsorship accuracy
- Regional eligibility verification
For Applicants:
- Job offer meeting ISL requirements
- Salary breakdown including qualifying components
- Evidence of qualifications and experience
- English language certificates
- Financial maintenance documentation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Incorrect SOC Code Selection: If issues with the SOC code come to light as part of the employee's visa application, the Home Office can refuse the application for failure to meet the visa requirements.
Salary Calculation Errors: Failing to properly pro-rate salaries for part-time work or including non-qualifying salary components.
Regional Mismatches: Applying Scotland-specific codes for England-based positions or vice versa.
Related 2025 Immigration Policies
The Immigration Salary List operates within a broader framework of UK immigration reforms:
Temporary Shortage List (Coming 2026): The UK government has announced in its May 2025 immigration white paper, "Restoring Control Over the Immigration System," that the Immigration Salary List will be abolished and replaced by a new Temporary Shortage List (TSL).
Enhanced Compliance Requirements:
- Stricter monitoring and enforcement measures for sponsor licence holders
- More rigorous SOC code verification processes
- Increased penalties for non-compliance
Dependant Restrictions: Those who are sponsored for the first time from 22 July 2025 in a role on the ISL or TSL will no longer be permitted to bring dependants to the UK, subject to certain exceptions.
English Language and Skills Charge Updates: The government confirmed that enhanced English language requirements and increased Immigration Skills Charge will be implemented by the end of 2025, though specific details remain pending.
Conclusion:
The UK Immigration Salary List represents a critical pathway for skilled workers seeking employment opportunities in Britain, offering reduced salary thresholds for occupations experiencing genuine skills shortages. With the substantial changes implemented in July 2025, including raised thresholds to £41,700 and enhanced skill requirements, navigating these complex requirements demands expert knowledge and strategic planning.
Contact Westend Consultants today for expert guidance on your Skilled Worker visa application. Our immigration specialists stay current with all policy changes to ensure your application meets the latest requirements for successful approval.
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Vishang Shah
Co-Founder of Westend Consultants
Vishang is Co-Founder of Westend Consultants and has been helping clients with UK immigration matters since the firm was established in 2008. With nearly 18 years of experience, he has built his practice around giving clear, honest and practical advice to both businesses and private clients.