Immigration Salary List (ISL)
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) is a list of occupations where UK employers can sponsor Skilled Workers at a salary 20% below the normal going rate — introduced in April 2024 when the Shortage Occupation List was abolished.
In This Article
- What is the Immigration Salary List?
- How does the ISL discount work?
- Which roles are on the ISL?
- ISL vs Shortage Occupation List — what changed?
- Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
- 2025/2026 updates
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Frequently asked questions
- Related terms
What is the Immigration Salary List?
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) is a Home Office list of specific occupation codes (SOC codes) where UK employers are permitted to sponsor workers at a salary 20% below the going rate for that occupation. It was introduced on 4 April 2024 as part of the government's post-Shortage Occupation List immigration framework.
Unlike the old Shortage Occupation List, the ISL:
- Offers a smaller discount (20% vs up to 20% under the old SOL — similar but with different rules)
- Does not reduce the general salary threshold (£41,700) — only the going rate floor
- Has no automatic link to scarcity — it is set by the Home Office with MAC advice rather than being driven purely by shortage evidence
How Does the ISL Discount Work?
For a role on the ISL, the employer can pay the worker at:
80% of the going rate for that SOC code
…provided this still meets the general threshold of £41,700 and the universal hourly minimum.
Example:
- SOC code with a going rate of £50,000/year
- With ISL: employer can pay as low as £40,000/year (80% × £50,000)
- But: £40,000 is below the general threshold of £41,700
- Result: employer must still pay at least £41,700
The ISL discount only provides a real saving when 80% of the going rate exceeds £41,700, or the going rate itself is above £41,700 (which it often is for specialist roles).
Which Roles are on the ISL?
The ISL is published as part of the Home Office's Appendix Immigration Salary List in the Immigration Rules. It is reviewed periodically by the Migration Advisory Committee.
Examples of roles typically on or eligible for the ISL:
- Nurses and midwives (SOC 2231 and related 223x codes)
- Secondary school teachers (SOC 2313)
- Social workers (SOC 2461)
- Physiotherapists (SOC 2221)
- Medical radiographers (SOC 2254)
- Civil engineers (SOC 2121, certain sub-roles)
- IT professionals (certain shortage sub-roles)
For the definitive current list, always check the official Appendix Immigration Salary List in the Immigration Rules — it changes when the Home Office updates the rules.
ISL vs Shortage Occupation List — What Changed?
The Shortage Occupation List was abolished in April 2024 and replaced by the ISL. Key differences:
| Feature | Shortage Occupation List (pre-April 2024) | Immigration Salary List (from April 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Salary discount | 20% below going rate | 20% below going rate |
| General threshold reduction | Yes — could go below general threshold | No — general threshold still applies |
| Application fee discount | Yes (reduced visa fee) | No |
| Based on shortage evidence | Yes (MAC review process) | Partially — MAC advises but not driven by shortage alone |
The net effect: the ISL is less generous than the old SOL. Workers in ISL roles still face the £41,700 floor, which the old SOL could bypass.
Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
In addition to the ISL, the government introduced a Temporary Shortage List (TSL) in 2025 for a small number of RQF 3–5 level roles (which would otherwise be ineligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship post-July 2025). The TSL allows these lower-skilled roles to continue being sponsored under strict, time-limited conditions. The MAC is reviewing the TSL framework with full implementation expected by mid-2026.
Roles on the TSL are distinct from ISL roles — they address skill level eligibility rather than salary discounts.
2025/2026 Updates
The Home Office has indicated the ISL will be abolished by 31 December 2026 at the latest, following a full MAC review. Employers relying on ISL discounts should plan for the possibility of having to meet full going rates from 2027 onwards.
The ISL itself was updated in 2025 following the new RQF Level 6 requirement — roles that are no longer eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship at all were removed from the ISL entirely.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the ISL removes the £41,700 floor. It doesn't — workers must still be paid at least £41,700 even on ISL roles.
- Using the old Shortage Occupation List. It no longer exists. Sponsors relying on pre-April 2024 guidance need to re-verify current ISL eligibility.
- Not re-checking ISL status at renewal. Roles can be removed from the ISL between CoS issuance and visa renewal. Verify at every stage.
- Confusing ISL with TSL. They serve different purposes — ISL is for salary discounts, TSL is for skill-level eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the ISL discount apply to the general threshold (£41,700) as well?
No. The ISL only reduces the going rate floor. The general threshold of £41,700 still applies as a separate minimum — the worker must meet the higher of: 80% of the going rate, or £41,700.
Can any employer use the ISL discount, or only certain sectors?
Any licensed sponsor can use the ISL discount for eligible roles — it is not restricted to NHS, care, or education sectors, though those sectors are heavily represented on the list.
How often is the ISL updated?
The Home Office can update the ISL at any time via Immigration Rules changes. The MAC conducts periodic reviews and recommends additions or removals. Significant changes happened in April 2024 (launch), November 2024, and further changes are expected in 2025.
Is the ISL relevant to the Health and Care Worker Visa?
Health and Care Worker roles have their own salary framework tied to NHS pay scales. The ISL is technically applicable to roles on the Health and Care route that also appear on the ISL, but in practice NHS salaries are set by Agenda for Change, not the going rate mechanism.
Related Terms
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