Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent, government-appointed body of economists and labour market experts that advises the Home Office on UK immigration policy. It does not make law, but its recommendations strongly influence salary thresholds, shortage lists, and route design — and most recommendations are adopted by the government.
In This Article
- What is the MAC?
- What does the MAC do?
- How MAC recommendations become policy
- Key MAC reports affecting sponsored workers
- The MAC and salary thresholds
- The MAC and shortage lists
- How to engage with MAC consultations
- Frequently asked questions
- Related terms
What Is the MAC?
The Migration Advisory Committee is a non-departmental public body — it operates independently of the Home Office but is funded by it and reports to the Home Secretary. It was established in 2007 to bring evidence-based, independent analysis to immigration policy decisions that had previously been made on a more ad hoc basis.
The MAC is staffed by a small team of economists and researchers and led by a chair (an academic or senior economist) and commissioners drawn from academia, business, and trade unions. It does not represent any single interest group.
What Does the MAC Do?
The MAC's work falls into two broad categories:
Commissioned reviews The Home Secretary can ask the MAC to review specific aspects of the immigration system. These reviews produce detailed reports with data analysis and recommendations. Examples include reviews of salary thresholds, shortage occupations, and specific visa routes.
Annual monitoring The MAC publishes regular analyses of the Migration Observatory data, tracking trends in sponsored work visas, salary distributions, and labour market impacts.
The MAC does not process individual visa applications, adjudicate on appeals, or enforce immigration rules — those functions belong to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and the immigration tribunal system.
How MAC Recommendations Become Policy
The process typically runs as follows:
- The Home Secretary commissions a review on a specific topic
- The MAC conducts research, calls for evidence, and consults stakeholders
- The MAC publishes a report with findings and recommendations
- The government responds — usually accepting most recommendations, sometimes in modified form
- Changes are implemented via updates to the Immigration Rules (laid before Parliament) or Home Office guidance
The government is not legally bound to follow MAC recommendations, but in practice it does so in the majority of cases. When it diverges, it typically explains why in its formal response.
Key MAC Reports Affecting Sponsored Workers
January 2024 — Salary thresholds and Shortage Occupation List review The most consequential recent report. The MAC recommended:
- Raising the general salary threshold from £26,200 to £38,700 (implemented April 2024)
- Abolishing the Shortage Occupation List and replacing it with the Immigration Salary List
- Removing the below-threshold exemption that the SOL had provided
Both recommendations were adopted. The result was a significant tightening of Skilled Worker sponsorship requirements.
2022 — International students and graduate outcomes A review of the Graduate Route visa, which found it was broadly functioning as intended and recommended its continuation (it was retained, though conditions have since been tightened for dependants).
2020 — Points-based system design The MAC advised on the structure of the post-Brexit Points-Based Immigration System, recommending the current 70-point framework including mandatory and tradeable criteria.
The MAC and Salary Thresholds
The general salary threshold for the Skilled Worker Visa is set with reference to MAC analysis of labour market data — specifically the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). The threshold is designed to be set at the median salary for eligible occupations, ensuring sponsored workers are paid comparably to domestic workers.
As of 2025, the general threshold is £41,700 (or the going rate for the specific SOC code, if higher). A lower floor of £33,400 applies to roles on the Immigration Salary List and to new-entrant applicants.
The government has announced plans to increase thresholds further as real wages rise — the MAC is expected to be consulted before each adjustment.
The MAC and Shortage Lists
The MAC plays a central role in determining which occupations qualify for salary discounts. Under the old system, it reviewed the Shortage Occupation List periodically to identify roles with genuine UK labour shortages.
Under the new system, the MAC advises on which roles should be included in the Immigration Salary List (which provides a 20% going-rate discount) and the Temporary Shortage List (which provides time-limited shortage recognition). Inclusions are based on labour market evidence rather than employer lobbying.
How to Engage With MAC Consultations
When the MAC conducts a review, it publishes a call for evidence on its website, inviting submissions from employers, trade bodies, trade unions, academics, and the public. Submissions are typically open for 8–12 weeks.
If you are an employer or industry body affected by proposed changes, responding to MAC consultations is one of the most effective ways to influence immigration policy — the MAC reads and considers all submissions in its analysis.
MAC reports and consultation responses are published on the official MAC website (accessible via GOV.UK).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the MAC's recommendations be overridden by the government?
Yes — the MAC advises but does not decide. The Home Secretary can accept, modify, or reject any recommendation. However, the government typically follows MAC advice and states its reasons when it does not.
How often does the MAC review salary thresholds?
There is no fixed schedule. Reviews are commissioned by the Home Secretary as needed. The 2024 review was the most significant in several years. Stakeholders expect periodic reviews as real wage levels change.
Is the MAC the same as UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)?
No. UKVI is the Home Office agency that processes visa applications and enforces immigration rules. The MAC is a separate advisory body that makes policy recommendations — it has no role in individual visa decisions.
Where can I find MAC reports?
All published MAC reports are freely available on the GOV.UK website under the "Migration Advisory Committee" collection.
Related Terms
- Shortage Occupation List
- Immigration Salary List
- Temporary Shortage List
- Going Rate
- Points-Based Immigration System
- Skilled Worker Visa
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