From mid-2025, the Skilled Worker system changed significantly. The general salary threshold rose to £41,700, eligibility narrowed to mainly RQF Level 6 roles, and the Immigration Salary List (ISL) became one of the only ways to sponsor workers below the standard salary point.
At the same time, the ISL itself became shorter, more selective, and defined by strict “removal dates”. Many roles that were previously considered in shortage no longer receive any salary discount.
This guide explains the Immigration Salary List UK in 2025, the salary rules attached to it, how employers should check whether a role qualifies, and what to do if a role is not on the Immigration Salary List. We also cover the emerging 2026 outlook.
1. What Is the Immigration Salary List (ISL)?
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) is an official appendix to the Immigration Rules. It sets out specific SOC 2020 occupation codes where the government accepts a reduced general salary threshold for Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker sponsorship.
It replaced the former Shortage Occupation List in 2024.
Key facts:
- The ISL provides a discount on the general salary threshold only.
- It does not discount the going rate for the occupation — going rates must still be met.
- Each ISL job has specific criteria and a removal date, after which new Certificates of Sponsorship cannot rely on ISL points.
- It is much narrower than the old shortage list, focusing on salary feasibility rather than broad labour shortages.
2. Salary Rules for ISL Jobs in 2025
From 22 July 2025, the standard Skilled Worker salary rule is:
- At least £41,700 per year, and
- At least 100% of the going rate for the SOC code (based on a 37.5-hour week).
If a job is on the Immigration Salary List, the rules change.
2.1 ISL salary thresholds (general route)
Option D – ISL (standard rate)
- Minimum salary: £33,400 per year, and
- At least 100% of the going rate for the occupation.
Option I – ISL (lower rate)
- Minimum salary: typically £25,000 per year, and
- At least the full going rate for the occupation.
The lower rate applies to specific ISL codes, usually within the Health and Care Worker route or under transitional arrangements.
2.2 Important rules to remember
- The Home Office’s 37.5-hour baseline must always be used for going-rate calculations.
- All salary thresholds are expressed as annual figures in the Immigration Rules.
- Employers must always meet whichever requirement is higher: the ISL salary or the going rate.
There is no shortcut on the going rate itself — the ISL only reduces the general threshold.
3. Which Jobs Are on the Immigration Salary List in 2025?
The current Immigration Salary List UK 2025 contains a limited number of roles across construction, science, culture, agriculture, and specific care/support roles.
Examples include:
Science & Technical
- 2111 Chemical scientists (specific settings)
- 2112 Biological scientists
- 2115 Archaeologists
- 3111 Laboratory technicians (experience requirements apply)
Creative & Cultural
- 2142 Graphic and multimedia designers
- 3411 Artists
- 3414 Professional dancers (specialised categories)
- 3415 Orchestral musicians
- 3416 Arts officers, producers and directors
Construction & Retrofit
- 5312 Stonemasons
- 5313 Bricklayers
- 5314 Roofers and slaters
- 5316 Carpenters and joiners
- 5319 Retrofitters
Fishing & Agriculture
- 1212 Fishing boat masters (some regions only)
- 5119 Fishing trades
- 5235 Boat builders (regional restrictions apply)
- 9119 Deckhands
Care & Support Roles
- 6131 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
- 6135 Care workers and home carers (with CQC conditions)
- 6136 Senior care workers
Most ISL roles currently show removal dates of 31 December 2026.
Some care roles (e.g., 6135, 6136) have extended removal dates to 22 July 2028, but with significantly tighter sponsorship conditions.
You may review the official table by searching for:
“Skilled Worker visa: immigration salary list GOV.UK”
and selecting the Home Office publication.
4. “Is Your Job on the Immigration Salary List?” – How to Check
A large portion of employers and applicants now need to verify this carefully. Searches like:
- “is 6131 on the immigration salary list”
- “is 2237 on immigration salary list”
- “is my job on the immigration salary list”
…are understandable given how restrictive the system has become.
Steps to confirm ISL eligibility
- Identify the correct SOC 2020 code
Use job duties — not job titles — to find the correct occupation in Appendix Skilled Occupations. - Check Appendix Immigration Salary List
Confirm:
- Whether the SOC code is listed
- Any additional restrictions
- Regional limitations
- The removal date
- Review the ISL salary table
Check the ISL “standard” and “lower” rates for that occupation. - Ensure the role is eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship
Some ISL jobs are eligible only in certain contexts (e.g., health settings, Scotland-only roles, or jobs requiring specific experience).
Examples
- 6131 – Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
- Yes, on the ISL UK-wide (criteria apply)
- ISL salary: £25,000 per year (based on 37.5 hours)
- 6135 – Care workers / home carers
- Yes, on the ISL UK-wide
- Removal date: 22 July 2028
- Sponsorship in England requires CQC registration and regulated activity
- 2237 – Other registered nursing professionals
- No, not on the ISL
- These roles use standard Skilled Worker / Health and Care Worker thresholds
5. Salary Examples (ISL vs Non-ISL)
Example 1 – Carpenter (5316)
- On ISL: yes, UK-wide
- Standard ISL rate: £33,400
- Standard Skilled Worker threshold if not ISL: £41,700
An employer offering a compliant salary under ISL rules may save over £8,000 per year compared to the standard threshold — provided the going rate is still met.
Example 2 – Nursing Auxiliary (6131)
- On ISL: yes
- ISL salary: £25,000
- Must also meet or exceed the going rate for 6131 under Skilled Worker / Health & Care rules.
This allows continued sponsorship in a sector where full Skilled Worker rates would be unrealistic.
6. What If Your Job Type Is NOT on the Immigration Salary List?
If a role does not appear in Appendix Immigration Salary List (or is due for removal), employers often need to reassess strategy.
6.1 Employer options
- Offer the full general threshold (£41,700+)
If financially viable, this keeps the role fully Skilled Worker eligible. - Reassess the SOC code
Some roles are coded too low when duties match a higher-skilled SOC code. Re-coding must always be lawful and duties-based. - Consider alternative visa routes
Depending on the worker:
- Global Talent
- Scale-up
- Innovator Founder
- Family routes
- Health and Care Worker (if applicable)
- Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
From July 2025, sub-degree (RQF 3–5) roles may fall under the TSL.
Important: the TSL does not offer salary discounts, unlike the ISL.
6.2 Worker options
Existing Skilled Workers may benefit from transitional protections:
- Some continue to use lower thresholds (e.g., £31,300 or £25,000)
- Rights depend on when their first Certificate of Sponsorship was issued
- New applicants (post-July 2025) must meet the current thresholds
7. 2026 Outlook: What Will Happen to the ISL?
The 2025 Immigration Rules strongly indicate that the ISL is temporary.
Signals for 2026 include:
1. Removal dates across the ISL
Most ISL occupations expire by 31 December 2026, with very few remaining until 2028.
2. Shift toward the Temporary Shortage List
Home Office and MAC statements signal a long-term transition from ISL salary discounts to a TSL model with no discounts.
3. Higher English-language requirement
From 8 January 2026, first-time Skilled Workers must meet B2 English — making entry into the route tougher overall.
4. Annual salary uprating
Thresholds (including the ISL standard £33,400) will likely rise with ONS earnings data.
5. Narrower eligibility
Skilled Worker sponsorship is becoming more restrictive across the board; by 2026 the number of jobs on the Immigration Salary List is expected to be even smaller.
8. ISL FAQs
What is the Immigration Salary List?
A Home Office list of specific SOC codes where employers can sponsor Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visas using a reduced general salary threshold.
What is the salary rule for ISL jobs?
- £33,400 (standard rate), or
- £25,000 (lower rate for certain codes),
Plus the full going rate for the occupation (pro-rated for contracted hours).
Is my job on the Immigration Salary List?
Check the SOC code in:
- Appendix Skilled Occupations, then
- Appendix Immigration Salary List, including any restrictions and removal dates.
Are nurses and doctors on the ISL?
No — registered nurses and medical professionals rely on other Skilled Worker / Health & Care Worker rules and national pay scales.
But 6131, 6135 and 6136 (support-level roles) are on the ISL.
Will the ISL still exist in 2026?
Partially. Many roles will lose ISL status by the end of 2026, and long-term policy points toward a TSL-only system without salary discounts.
9. How Barar & Associates Can Help
The Immigration Salary List 2025 plays a crucial role in UK sponsorship strategy, especially for employers who rely on mid-salary occupations. However, the ISL is narrow, temporary, and technically complex.
We can assist with:
- Confirming whether your job is on the Immigration Salary List
- Identifying the correct SOC code
- Checking the applicable ISL salary threshold
- Advising on alternative routes where a role is not on the ISL
- Reviewing Skilled Worker salary compliance
- Planning for the 2026 removal dates and threshold rises
If you would like tailored advice on the ISL, Skilled Worker thresholds, or long-term workforce planning, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Disclaimer: UK immigration rules, regulations and government fees are subject to change at short notice. Applicants should consult the latest Home Office guidance and official fee schedules—or seek qualified legal advice—before submitting an application.
