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In April 2025, the UK’s Shortage Occupation List (SOL) was replaced by the Immigration Salary List (ISL). The ISL outlines the specific occupations where a reduced general salary threshold is available for Skilled Worker visa applicants.
This change marks a significant shift in how employers can sponsor international workers for roles experiencing skill shortages in the UK. While the SOL previously enabled employers to hire foreign workers for jobs on the list without having to demonstrate that no suitable UK candidate could be found, the new ISL continues to simplify the sponsorship process, although with a focus on salary levels rather than job availability.
It is essential for employers, HR professionals, and those involved in international recruitment to understand the nuances of the ISL and how it affects the hiring process. Mistakes or misunderstandings can lead to serious consequences, including Home Office enforcement actions, such as licence suspensions or curtailments of employee visas.
This guide aims to provide clarity on how the Immigration Salary List works, its role in the visa sponsorship process, and how to ensure compliance when hiring workers for shortage occupations in the UK.
Guide to Understanding UK’s Shortage Occupation List
The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is a key part of the UK’s immigration system, identifying jobs where there is a shortage of skilled workers. This list is regularly reviewed and updated by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), an independent body that makes recommendations to the government based on the needs of UK businesses.
The SOL allows employers to sponsor non-UK workers for certain roles more easily, offering reduced visa application fees and a lower salary threshold.
The SOL is designed to address areas within the UK where there are insufficient workers to meet demand. This shortage of skilled labour can occur in a range of sectors, including healthcare, IT, engineering, construction, and more. By placing specific occupations on the list, the UK government enables employers to recruit from outside the UK without the usual visa restrictions, thus helping to fill critical roles and support the economy.
If a role is on the Shortage Occupation List, the salary requirements for the Skilled Worker visa are more flexible. The salary must meet the following criteria:
- From 4 April 2024, employers must pay those entering the Skilled Worker route a general salary threshold of £38,700 or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher. The going rate will also be raised from the 25th percentile to the median.
The visa application fee for a Skilled Worker visa is lower for roles on the occupation shortage list in the UK. This makes it more cost-effective for both employers and workers seeking to work in the UK.
Occupations on the Shortage Occupation List UK
The SOL includes a wide range of occupations, with a particular focus on sectors where there is high demand for skilled workers, such as:
- Healthcare: Including doctors, nurses, medical practitioners, paramedics, and social workers.
- Engineering and Construction: Roles such as civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers, as well as skilled trades like electricians and bricklayers.
- Technology: Programmers, IT systems analysts, data scientists, and other technology-related jobs.
- Creative Roles: Architects, designers, and certain creative roles in film and media.
Why Was Shortage Occupation List UK Replaced with ISL?
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) has replaced the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) to focus on salary thresholds rather than just listing high-demand occupations. This change ensures foreign workers are paid closer to market rates and prevents exploitation by linking sponsorship at lower salaries to both the occupation and the required salary level.
Key Points:
- Focus on Salary, Not Just Occupation: The ISL prioritises salary levels to ensure workers are paid fairly, not just because the job is in short supply.
- Preventing Exploitation: Employers must offer competitive salaries, reducing the risk of underpaying foreign workers.
- Aligning with Labour Market Needs: The ISL better reflects current skills shortages by considering both job demand and salary levels across sectors.
This shift aims to protect workers, support fair wages, and encourage domestic skills development while addressing the UK’s labour needs.
UK Shortage Occupation List 2025 / Immigration Salary List (ISL)
| Occupation code | Job types included in the SOL/ISL | Areas of the UK which qualify | Standard rate | Lower rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1212 | Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services - only “fishing boat masters” | Scotland only | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 2111 | Chemical scientists - only jobs in the nuclear industry | Scotland only | £35,200 (£18.05 per hour) | £29,600 (£15.18 per hour) |
| 2112 | Biological scientists - all jobs | UK wide | £38,000 (£19.49 per hour) | £28,100 (£14.41 per hour) |
| 2115 | Social and humanities scientists - only archaeologists | UK wide | £36,400 (£18.67 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 2142 | Graphic and multimedia designers - all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,100 (£12.87 per hour) |
| 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. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 3212 | Pharmaceutical technicians - all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,400 (£12.00 per hour) |
| 3411 | Artists - all jobs | UK wide | £32,800 (£16.82 per hour) | £25,900 (£13.28 per hour) |
| 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). | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 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. | UK wide | £32,900 (£16.87 per hour) | £27,300 (£14.00 per hour) |
| 3416 | Arts officers, producers and directors - all jobs. | UK wide | £37,500 (£19.23 per hour) | £31,300 (£16.05 per hour) |
| 5119 | Agriculture and fishing trades not elsewhere classified - only jobs in the fishing industry. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 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. | UK wide | £31,700 (£16.26 per hour) | £26,400 (£13.54 per hour) |
| 5235 | Boat and ship builders and repairers - all jobs. | Scotland only | £32,400 (£16.62 per hour) | £26,300 (£13.49 per hour) |
| 5312 | Stonemasons and related trades - all jobs. | UK wide | £31,000 (£15.90 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 5313 | Bricklayers - all jobs. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,600 (£13.13 per hour) |
| 5314 | Roofers, roof tilers and slaters - all jobs. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 5316 | Carpenters and joiners - all jobs. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 5319 | Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified - only retrofitters. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,500 (£13.08 per hour) |
| 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. Private households or individuals (other than sole traders sponsoring someone to work for their business) cannot sponsor Skilled Worker applicants. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 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. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 6129 | Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified - only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 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. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
Benefits of Sponsoring Workers Under Shortage Occupation List UK/ISL
The Shortage Occupation List / ISL offers following benefits for employers looking to hire skilled international workers:
- Reduced Salary Requirements: The SOL/ISL allows employers to sponsor workers at a lower salary threshold than the standard Skilled Worker visa, making it more financially feasible to hire talent from abroad.
- Cost-Effective Recruitment: With lower salary requirements, employers can fill critical roles without exceeding budget constraints, accessing essential skills more affordably.
- Simplified Process: The SOL/ISL provides a clear, easy-to-understand resource for both employers and immigrants, ensuring compliance with immigration policies and simplifying the recruitment process.
- Utilising a Sponsor Licence: Employers with a Sponsor Licence can efficiently access global talent, addressing skill shortages in sectors like healthcare, IT, and engineering.
Stay Up to Date with Westend Consultants
At Westend Consultants, we specialise in helping employers navigate the complexities of UK immigration rules to meet their recruitment needs. As the shortage occupation list in the UK / ISL is frequently updated, it’s informed about any changes that may impact on their recruitment strategies. Whether you need advice on visa eligibility, SOC codes, or any other aspect of hiring points-based visa workers, our expert team is here to assist you.
Contact us today for support on how the ISL can impact your recruitment process and ensure compliance with the latest immigration requirements. Let us help you secure the talent your business needs, while navigating the evolving UK immigration landscape.