The UK Immigration Salary List (ISL) decides whether certain overseas workers can qualify for a UK Skilled Worker visa at a lower salary threshold. Because the list has changed several times since 2024, and because it is scheduled to wind down, many applicants and employers are working from out-of-date figures.
Two figures matter most. The general salary threshold is now £41,700 a year. You will usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year, or the going rate for your job, whichever is higher. The ISL offers a reduced route, but only for the specific occupation codes it names.
This guide explains how the immigration salary list works in 2026, which salary figures apply, how to find your occupation code and what the planned expiry means for your plans. If you are an employer, it also covers the skilled worker sponsorship costs that sit alongside the immigration salary rules.
What Is the Immigration Salary List?
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) is an official list published by the Home Office and referred to within the UK Immigration Rules. It identifies particular occupations that can use a reduced general salary threshold when applying under the skilled worker route.
The list replaced the old Shortage Occupation List in April 2024. Each entry is tied to an occupation code from the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC), and some entries are limited to a specific job type, a specific part of the UK or both. Being on the list does not remove the going rate: the ISL discounts the general salary threshold, not the pay expected for the role.
In other words, the ISL is best understood as a narrow concession for roles the government has recognised as hard to fill, rather than a general lower salary option for any job in a sector.
UK Immigration Salary List: Latest Updates for 2026
The most common question we hear is whether a particular job is on the appendix immigration salary list. The quickest answer comes from identifying your SOC occupation code and comparing it with the current list. Before you do, it helps to know what has changed.
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General salary threshold: it rose to £41,700 for most new applications from 22 July 2025, replacing the £38,700 figure that applied from April 2024.
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Reduced ISL salary: the ISL floor is now £33,400 a year, not the £30,960 quoted in older guides, and the full going rate still applies.
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Skill level: new sponsorship under the main route is confined to degree-level roles, with the Temporary Shortage List covering some lower-skilled shortage jobs.
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English language: the requirement for new applicants rose to B2 on 8 January 2026.
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Expiry: the ISL is scheduled to end on 31 December 2026, with care worker visa codes running longer (see below).
For a wider view of recent amendments, see our summary of the UK Skilled Worker visa 2025 changes in rules.
Skilled Worker Salary Thresholds in 2026
Understanding the relationship between the immigration salary list, the Skilled Worker visa route and the applicable salary rules is essential before you accept a job offer or submit an application. Many people focus only on the general salary threshold, but the Home Office tests pay against several options set out in Appendix Skilled Worker.
General Salary Threshold for Skilled Worker Applicants
The general salary threshold is £41,700 a year for most new Skilled Worker visa requirements. For applications made since 22 July 2025, the standard graduate-level option requires at least £41,700 a year or 100% of the occupation’s going rate, whichever is higher.
This is the benchmark for skilled worker applicants who do not qualify under one of the alternative salary options. It is also an hourly test: the minimum hourly rate is £17.13 per hour for the standard option, so a lower annual figure is only acceptable where the working pattern is genuinely shorter than a full-time week.
Immigration Salary List Salary Requirements
The ISL allows employers to sponsor workers at a lower general salary threshold, but only where the occupation appears on the list and every other condition is met. Under this option, the requirement is £33,400 and 100% of the going rate for the job.
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The minimum salary on the ISL is £33,400, equivalent to £17.13 per hour on a standard working week.
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The applicant must also receive 100% of the going rate for the occupation code, so the list does not reduce the going rate.
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Other tradeable discounts cannot be combined with the ISL option.
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The SOC code and job description must match the duties the person will actually perform.
Where the ISL role falls within the health and care framework, a lower floor of £25,000 may apply, equivalent to £12.82 per hour.
Understanding Skilled Worker Going Rates
Every occupation eligible under the Skilled Worker visa has an associated going rate. It reflects the expected pay for that role and forms part of the salary test. Going rates are set at the median pay for each occupation code, so well-paid fields sit far above £41,700.
You must therefore clear two tests at once for skilled worker occupations:
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the relevant minimum general salary threshold, and
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the published going rate for your occupation code.
The higher figure always wins. If the going rate for your role is £49,400, an offer of £41,700 will be refused, even though the headline threshold has been met. If the going rate is lower than £41,700, the general threshold applies instead unless a reduction is available.
When comparing pay, the Home Office looks at:
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the relevant Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code
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annual salary
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hourly pay where applicable
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other working patterns permitted under the Immigration Rules
Only guaranteed basic gross pay counts towards the requirement. Bonuses, overtime and similar variable payments are generally excluded, so a package that looks generous on paper may still fall short. The official SOC codes and going rates are set out in Appendix Skilled Occupations.
Minimum Salary Options Under the Skilled Worker Salary Rules
Not every applicant is tested against the same figure. The skilled worker salary rules contain tradeable options that let qualifying applicants rely on a lower cash threshold, provided they still meet a set percentage of the going rate.
The table below summarises the options for the standard (non-health) framework under the key immigration salary list areas.
| Option | Who it applies to | Minimum annual salary | Share of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Standard Skilled Worker | £41,700 | 100% |
| B | Relevant PhD (non-STEM) | £37,500 | 90% |
| C | Relevant STEM PhD | £33,400 | 80% |
| D | Job on the Immigration Salary List | £33,400 | 100% |
| E | New entrant | £33,400 | 70% |
| K | Health and education roles on national pay scales | £25,000 | Pay scale rate |
These figures are taken from the options in Appendix Skilled Worker, and lower health and care figures also exist for some codes. Appendix Skilled Worker sets the cash thresholds for each salary-points option. Because these options interact with going rates and working hours, it is worth checking the detail with a specialist before relying on any one of them.
Tradeable Points and Reduced Salary Options
The Immigration Rules allow reduced salary thresholds for people who:
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qualify as new entrants to the labour market
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hold a relevant PhD, including a STEM PhD that attracts a deeper discount
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work in occupations paid on recognised national pay scales
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apply for a job on the immigration salary list
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qualify under certain postdoctoral or specialist salary options
New Entrant Salary Rules
New entrant skilled workers can use a reduced salary threshold of £33,400 with at least 70% of the going rate, where they satisfy the conditions. A person may qualify as a new entrant if they are, for example:
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under the permitted age at the date of application
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switching from a Student or Graduate route in qualifying circumstances
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working towards a recognised professional qualification
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entering an approved postdoctoral position
New entrant status is time-limited, so it is not a long-term salary strategy. Students planning a switch should read our guide on moving from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa.
Health and Care Worker Salary Requirements
The Health and Care Worker route operates under its own salary framework, because many occupations are linked to NHS or other national pay scales. For many applicants:
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the lower floor is £25,000 a year, equivalent to £12.82 per hour, where the code is assessed under the health and care tables;
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applicants must still satisfy the relevant occupation code requirements;
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where a national pay scale applies, employers must pay the appropriate rate for the role; and
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care worker and senior care worker codes remain on the ISL for longer than most other entries.
How to Check Whether Your Job Is on the Immigration Salary List
The answer depends on far more than your job title. The Home Office assesses sponsorship using the occupation code, the job description and the salary, not the title written on your contract.
Step 1: Identify Your Occupation Code
First, identify the correct SOC occupation code. Employers must choose the code when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), and choosing the wrong code can lead to delays, compliance problems or refusal. The code should reflect:
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your day-to-day duties
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your level of responsibility
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the qualifications required
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the skill level expected for the role
Step 2: Check the Immigration Salary List
Once you know your code, compare it with the current list on GOV.UK. Many entries only cover particular job types or parts of the UK. For instance, some apply only in Scotland, such as boat and ship builders and fishing boat masters. Notable limits include:
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high integrity pipe welders, where the job needs three or more years’ related on-the-job experience
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chemical scientists working only in the nuclear industry Scotland
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skilled classical ballet dancers and skilled contemporary dancers at internationally recognised UK ballet or contemporary dance companies
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only skilled orchestral musicians who are leaders, principals, sub-principals or numbered string positions at internationally recognised UK orchestras
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only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms and similar roles
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deckhands on large fishing vessels, within other elementary agriculture occupations
Step 3: Compare the Salary Requirements
After confirming your occupation appears on the list, compare your proposed pay against the relevant general salary threshold, the going rate for the code and any option available under Appendix Skilled Worker. For example, From 4 April 2024, programmers must earn at least £49,400.
Check the working hours carefully, because an hourly test applies.
Step 4: Confirm Your Visa Eligibility
Finally, make sure you meet every other requirement for the visa, including a valid CoS, English language, skill level and any occupation-specific conditions in the Immigration Rules. If the role is not eligible, you may need a different route.
Our comparison of the Scale-Up visa and the Skilled Worker visa may help you weigh the options.
Immigration Salary List Occupation Code Job Types
The official list currently contains about 25 occupation code entries. The table below shows a selection from the GOV.UK list, using the standard rate and the lower rate for each entry.
| Occupation code | Job types included | Standard rate | Lower rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1232 | Residential, day and domiciliary care managers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 2112 | Biological scientists | £40,300 (£20.67 per hour) | £30,700 (£15.74 per hour) |
| 3212 | Pharmaceutical technicians | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 3414 | Skilled classical ballet dancers and skilled contemporary dancers (endorsed companies) | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £28,500 (£14.62 per hour) |
| 3415 | Skilled orchestral musicians (leaders, principals, sub-principals) | £37,500 (£19.23 per hour) | £30,100 (£15.44 per hour) |
| 5119 | Agriculture and fishing trades not elsewhere classified: fishing industry UK jobs only | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5213 | High integrity pipe welders | £34,900 (£17.90 per hour) | £29,500 (£15.13 per hour) |
| 5313 | Bricklayers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6131 | Nursing auxiliaries and assistants | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6135 | Care workers and home carers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6136 | Senior care workers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 9119 | Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified: deckhands on large vessels | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
Figures are as published on GOV.UK at the time of writing. Rates are updated periodically, so always confirm against the current official list before you commit to a salary.
SOC 6135: Care Workers and Home Carers
Care workers and home carers used to be listed under a different code in earlier guidance, and this guide now uses the current SOC 2020 occupation code. For jobs in England, the sponsor must hold registration with the Care Quality Commission and be 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.
SOC 6136: Senior Care Workers
Senior care workers are subject to the same CoS and CQC conditions for roles in England. Many roles are linked to regulated care providers, and applicants should check the current rules for the Health and Care Worker route before relying on this code. Both senior care workers and care workers benefit from a longer ISL end date than most other entries.
SOC 6131: Nursing Auxiliaries and Assistants
This code supports healthcare services across the UK. For Skilled Worker purposes, code 6131 only applies to roles in environments where registered nurse or other registered healthcare professional roles also exist. The pay requirement is £25,000, or £12.82 per hour.
Domiciliary Care Managers and Other Care Management Roles
Code 1232 covers residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors, with all jobs included UK wide. It is one of the few management codes on the list. Employers recruiting domiciliary care managers should check that the actual duties match the code and that the pay meets both the £33,400 figure and the going rate.
Other Notable Entries: Fishing Trades, Ship Builders and Skilled Trades
The ISL also includes several trade and sector-specific entries. Fishing trades appear under code 5119, and deckhands on large vessels appear within other elementary agriculture occupations (code 9119). Ship builders and repairers (code 5235) qualify only in Scotland. Construction trades such as bricklayers, roofers and carpenters are listed, along with retrofitters. The occupation code job types vary widely, which is why checking the precise wording of each entry matters.
Immigration Salary List vs Shortage Occupation List
The ISL replaced the Shortage Occupation List in April 2024 as part of wider immigration reforms. The old list gave a 20% discount on the going rate for many Skilled Worker eligible occupations. The ISL is narrower and, as explained above, requires the full going rate.
A second list now sits alongside it. The interim Temporary Shortage List (TSL), introduced on 22 July 2025, covers selected mid-skilled roles that no longer qualify under the main degree-level rule. TSL roles must meet the full £41,700 threshold or the going rate, and workers sponsored in them cannot bring dependants. Unlike the ISL, TSL inclusion does not bring a salary or visa fee discount.
Will the Immigration Salary List End in 2026?
Yes, in large part. Both the interim TSL and the ISL contain occupations in which employers can hire migrants until these lists expire on 31 December 2026, except care worker codes 6135 and 6136, which should retain access until 22 July 2028.
What replaces them is still being settled. The Migration Advisory Committee has made recommendations for the period from January 2027, but these do not change the Immigration Rules or the live list until the Government accepts and implements them through a Statement of Changes. If you rely on an ISL role, you should:
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check whether your Certificate of Sponsorship can be issued before the end date;
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plan salary budgets on the assumption that the £33,400 concession may not be available later;
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review whether a different salary option, such as new entrant or PhD status, could apply; and
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keep watching the official guidance for the Government’s response.
Existing workers have separate extension and settlement rules, so it is worth reading our guides on how to extend a Skilled Worker visa and the Skilled Worker visa to ILR pathway before you plan ahead.
Immigration Skills Charge and Other Sponsorship Costs
Salary is only one part of the cost of hiring a sponsored worker. The immigration skills charge is an employer cost, and it is now much higher than it was. The charge is a mandatory fee for most employers sponsoring under the Skilled Worker visa or Senior or Specialist Worker route.
Since 16 December 2025, medium and large sponsors pay £1,320 for the first 12 months and £660 for each additional six-month period, while small or charitable sponsors pay £480 and £240. Home Office guidance makes clear the fee must not be transferred to the sponsored worker.
| Cost (2026) | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration skills charge, small or charitable sponsor | Employer | £480 per year |
| Immigration skills charge, medium or large sponsor | Employer | £1,320 per year |
| Certificate of Sponsorship | Employer | £525 |
| Visa application fee (up to three years, in the UK) | Applicant | £943 |
For a full breakdown, see our guide to Skilled Worker visa fees and sponsor costs. Fees are revised periodically, so confirm current amounts before budgeting.
Immigration Health Surcharge for Skilled Worker Applicants
Most skilled worker applicants also pay the immigration health surcharge up front, for each person included in the application. The current rate is £1,035 per year for adults. A three-year visa therefore adds £3,105 per adult, and a five-year visa adds £5,175.
The Health and Care Worker route is treated differently, as applicants on that route are exempt from the surcharge. Dependants should be factored into the budget as well, because each family member pays their own fees.
Pay Periods, Payroll Records and Compliance
Sponsors should be aware of a compliance change from 8 April 2026. According to one practitioner summary, UKVI can now assess salary compliance within defined pay periods rather than only against the annual figure. In practice, a month in which pay dips below the threshold, for example because of unpaid leave, could create a problem.
Employers should therefore:
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keep accurate payroll records showing guaranteed basic gross pay for each pay period;
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check that salary sacrifice or unpaid leave does not push base pay below the required level;
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make sure the job description on the CoS matches the real duties; and
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correct and report any shortfall promptly.
Sponsors are also responsible for right to work checks and avoiding the employment of unauthorised workers. Our article on unauthorised workers and right to work check penalties explains the risks.
At Axis Solicitors, we often recommend that sponsors run a salary and SOC code audit before the end of the year. Reviewing each sponsored worker’s code, pay and contractual hours is far easier before a problem arises than after a compliance visit.
Routes to Consider If Your Job Is Not on the List
If your occupation is not on the immigration salary list, or the pay is too high for your employer, there are alternatives. Some founders choose self-sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa through their own sponsor-licensed company, though this has strict genuine-role and compliance requirements. Others may use the Scale-Up route or a different category entirely.
If you are still deciding whether to relocate, our guide to moving to the UK compares the main immigration routes and the wider practicalities.
How Axis Solicitors Can Help
Axis Solicitors is an independent law firm, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 653526), and not affiliated with UKVI or any government body. With 20+ years of experience and 8,000+ cases handled, our team can check your occupation code, salary and sponsorship position before you commit.
Our services include:
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UK Skilled Worker Visa: we assess your occupation code, salary option and evidence so your application is built on the correct figures.
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UK Sponsor Licence: we help employers apply for and maintain a licence, with practical support on salary and record-keeping compliance.
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Indefinite Leave to Remain: we check settlement eligibility, including the salary you will need to show at the time of application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my job on the Immigration Salary List?
Find your SOC occupation code, then compare it with the official list on GOV.UK. Some entries only cover certain job types, regions or employers, so a matching code alone is not enough. The duties must match the entry.
Has the UK Skilled Visa Salary List been abolished?
Not yet, but it is scheduled to end. Most entries expire on 31 December 2026, while care worker codes 6135 and 6136 are due to run until 22 July 2028. A replacement framework depends on the Government’s response to the Migration Advisory Committee’s recommendations.
What is the new entrant salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa?
For new entrants it is £33,400 a year, combined with at least 70% of the going rate. Health and care roles assessed under the lower tables can use a £25,000 floor, also at 70%. You must satisfy the new entrant conditions, and the status is time-limited.
What is the 2461 job code under the Immigration Salary List?
Under the current SOC 2020 numbering, the previous 2461 reference does not appear in the current list as a standalone entry. The nearest match is code 2115, social and humanities scientists, limited to archaeologists. Always check the official wording for your specific role.
What is the 3556 SOC code?
Older guidance used 3556 for conservation and environmental associate professionals. It does not feature in the current ISL table, so you should not assume that these roles qualify. Check the latest Appendix Skilled Occupations entry for your duties.
Speak to Axis Solicitors About Your Skilled Worker Salary
Salary rules are unforgiving: a figure that is a few hundred pounds short, or a SOC code that does not quite match the role, can mean a refusal and lost fees. Whether you are an employer planning for the end of the ISL or a worker checking whether your offer meets the threshold, a short conversation now can save months of delay.
Axis Solicitors offers offices in Manchester, Birmingham and London and advises nationwide. Contact Axis Solicitors to discuss your situation.
