Rules reference · gov.uk updated 8 October 2026TL;DRThe Immigration Salary List has 25 occupations. A job on it must pay at least £33,400 and the full going rate. It is being phased out: 23 occupations only qualify for certificates of sponsorship issued before 31 December 2026, and care workers (6135) and senior care workers (6136) before 22 July 2028.
Immigration Salary List 2026: all 25 occupations
Every occupation on the UK Immigration Salary List, the nations it applies in, the salary you need, and the date it drops off the list — taken verbatim from the Immigration Rules.
By Manu · Rules last changed 8 October 2026 · Data verified against gov.uk on 19 October 2026
- Occupations on the list
- 25
- Minimum salary
- £33,400 + full going rate
- Removed for CoS from 31 December 2026
- 23 occupations
- Removed for CoS from 22 July 2028
- 2 occupations
- Apply in all four nations
- 22
The full Immigration Salary List
Occupation wording is exactly as published, including any limits on which jobs within a code qualify. “ISL minimum” is the higher of £33,400 and the code’s going rate.
| SOC | Occupation and criteria | Eng | Scot | Wales | NI | Going rate | ISL minimum | CoS issued before |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1212 | Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services – only “fishing boat masters” | — | ✓ | — | — | £33,400 | £33,400 | 31 December 2026 |
| 1232 | Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors – all jobs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £40,400 | £40,400 | 31 December 2026 |
| 2111 | Chemical scientists – only jobs in the nuclear industry | — | ✓ | — | — | £39,900 | £39,900 | 31 December 2026 |
| 2112 | Biological scientists – all jobs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £40,300 | £40,300 | 31 December 2026 |
| 2115 | Social and humanities scientists – only archaeologists | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £40,400 | £40,400 | 31 December 2026 |
| 2142 | Graphic and multimedia designers – all jobs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £33,400 | £33,400 | 31 December 2026 |
| 3111 | Laboratory technicians – only jobs requiring 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. (also on the Temporary Shortage List) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £33,400 | £33,400 | 31 December 2026 |
| 3212 | Pharmaceutical technicians – all jobs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £33,400 | £33,400 | 31 December 2026 |
| 3411 | Artists – all jobs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £38,200 | £38,200 | 31 December 2026 |
| 3414 | Dancers and choreographers – only skilled classical ballet dancers or skilled contemporary dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK ballet or contemporary dance companies. The company must be endorsed as being internationally recognised by a UK industry body such as the Arts Councils (of England, Scotland or Wales). (also on the Temporary Shortage List) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £33,400 | £33,400 | 31 December 2026 |
| 3415 | Musicians – only skilled orchestral musicians who are leaders, principals, sub-principals or numbered string positions, and who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK orchestras. The orchestra must be a full member of the Association of British Orchestras. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £37,500 | £37,500 | 31 December 2026 |
| 3416 | Arts officers, producers and directors – all jobs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £38,100 | £38,100 | 31 December 2026 |
| 5119 | Agriculture and fishing trades not elsewhere classified – only jobs in the fishing industry | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £33,400 | £33,400 | 31 December 2026 |
| 5213 | Welding trades – only high integrity pipe welders, where the job requires 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. (also on the Temporary Shortage List) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £34,900 | £34,900 | 31 December 2026 |
| 5235 | Boat and ship builders and repairers – all jobs (also on the Temporary Shortage List) | — | ✓ | — | — | £33,700 | £33,700 | 31 December 2026 |
| 5312 | Stonemasons and related trades – all jobs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £33,400 | £33,400 | 31 December 2026 |
| 5313 | Bricklayers – all jobs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £33,400 | £33,400 | 31 December 2026 |
| 5314 | Roofers, roof tilers and slaters – all jobs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £33,400 | £33,400 | 31 December 2026 |
| 5316 | Carpenters and joiners – all jobs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £33,400 | £33,400 | 31 December 2026 |
| 5319 | Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only retrofitters (also on the Temporary Shortage List) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £33,400 | £33,400 | 31 December 2026 |
| 6129 | Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified – only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £33,400 | £33,400 | 31 December 2026 |
| 6131 | Nursing auxiliaries and assistants – all jobs Note: For Skilled Worker purposes, SOC 2020 occupation code 6131 only applies to roles in environments where registered nurse or other registered healthcare professional roles also exist. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | 31 December 2026 |
| 6135 | Care workers and home carers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. Eligibility for Skilled Worker applicants to be sponsored in this SOC 2020 occupation code is restricted, as set out in SW 6.1B of Appendix Skilled Worker. Private households or individuals (other than sole traders sponsoring someone to work for their business) cannot sponsor Skilled Worker applicants. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £33,400 | £33,400 | 22 July 2028 |
| 6136 | Senior care workers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. Eligibility for Skilled Worker applicants to be sponsored in this SOC 2020 occupation code is restricted, as set out in SW 6.1B of Appendix Skilled Worker. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £33,400 | £33,400 | 22 July 2028 |
| 9119 | Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified – only 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. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £33,400 | £33,400 | 31 December 2026 |
The list is being phased out
The appendix states that an occupation “is only included on the list where an application has been made using a certificate of sponsorship issued by a sponsor to an applicant before the removal date stated in the table.” So the date that matters is when your sponsor issues the certificate, not when you apply for the visa.
- Before 31 December 2026: 23 occupations
- Before 22 July 2028: 2 occupations (Care workers and home carers, Senior care workers)
Immigration Salary List vs Temporary Shortage List
They are different lists. The ISL gives a salary concession (£33,400 plus the full going rate instead of £41,700). The Temporary Shortage List (52 occupations, in Appendix Skilled Worker SW 6.1A) only makes certain Medium Skilled jobs sponsorable, for certificates issued before 31 December 2026, and gives no salary discount. 5 occupations are on both lists.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Immigration Salary List?
- The Immigration Salary List (ISL) is the part of the UK Immigration Rules listing occupations "where a reduced skills and salary threshold applies in the Skilled Worker route". It currently has 25 occupations.
- What is the minimum salary for a job on the Immigration Salary List?
- At least £33,400 per year and the full going rate for the occupation's SOC 2020 code — whichever is higher. There is no percentage discount on the going rate for ISL jobs. Workers with transitional protection under options F–J use a £25,000 floor instead (still with the full going rate).
- Is the Immigration Salary List being removed?
- Yes, in stages. An occupation only counts as on the list where the certificate of sponsorship was issued before its removal date. 23 of the 25 occupations have a removal date of 31 December 2026; Care workers and home carers and Senior care workers have 22 July 2028.
- Are care workers on the Immigration Salary List?
- Yes — SOC 6135 (care workers and home carers) and 6136 (senior care workers) are on the list until 22 July 2028, with conditions: in England the sponsor must be registered with the Care Quality Commission and carrying on a regulated activity, and eligibility is restricted as set out in SW 6.1B of Appendix Skilled Worker.
- What's the difference between the Immigration Salary List and the Temporary Shortage List?
- The ISL lowers the salary threshold to £33,400 (plus the full going rate). The Temporary Shortage List (52 occupations) only lets certain Medium Skilled (RQF 3–5) jobs be sponsored at all, for certificates issued before 31 December 2026 — it gives no salary discount.
- Does the Immigration Salary List apply in every UK nation?
- 22 of the 25 occupations apply in all four nations. The rest apply only in some: Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services (Scotland); Chemical scientists (Scotland); Boat and ship builders and repairers (Scotland).
Sources
- GOV.UK — Immigration Rules Appendix Immigration Salary List (updated 8 October 2026). Parsed and verified 19 October 2026.
- GOV.UK — Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker. Salary options D and I (ISL) and the Temporary Shortage List (SW 6.1A).
- GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa: when you can be paid less.