Introduction
As part of the UK’s evolving immigration framework following the UK Government’s Statement of Changes HC 997, the government has expanded the Immigration Salary List (ISL), a list of specific occupations eligible for a lower general salary threshold, and in some cases sponsorship below graduate level, under the Skilled Worker visa route.
This list supports UK employers facing labour shortages in key sectors such as health, social care, construction, and the arts. However, it is time-limited, and all occupations included on this list are scheduled for removal on a set date—either 31 December 2026 or, in some cases, 22 July 2028.
In this blog, we provide a clear breakdown of the eligible occupations and their official removal dates, helping employers and visa applicants plan ahead before these exemptions expire.
What Is the Immigration Salary List?
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) replaced the previous Shortage Occupation List in April 2024. It enables certain job roles to benefit from:
◆ A lower general salary threshold (£33,400, or £25,000 for Health and Care visa jobs and workers first granted before 4 April 2024), although the full going rate must still be paid
◆ Reduced visa application fees
◆ Access to sponsorship for some jobs below graduate level
However, inclusion is conditional. A job must appear on this list and meet any extra criteria shown against it, and the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) must be issued before the occupation’s listed removal date. After this date, reduced thresholds no longer apply. Our guide to Skilled Worker eligibility and salary shows how the ISL works alongside the Temporary Shortage List and the other salary options.
Full Immigration Salary List with Removal Dates
SOC 2020 occupation code and any further criteria | Included on the Immigration Salary List in: | Removal date | |||
England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland | ||
1212 Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services – only “fishing boat masters” | - | Yes | - | - | 31 December 2026 |
| 1232 Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 31 December 2026 |
| 2111 Chemical scientists – only jobs in the nuclear industry | - | Yes | - | - | 31 December 2026 |
| 2112 Biological scientists – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 31 December 2026 |
| 2115 Social and humanities scientists – only archaeologists | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 31 December 2026 |
| 2142 Graphic and multimedia designers – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 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. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 31 December 2026 |
3212 Pharmaceutical technicians – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 31 December 2026 |
| 3411 Artists – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 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). | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 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. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 31 December 2026 |
| 3416 Arts officers, producers and directors – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 31 December 2026 |
| 5119 Agriculture and fishing trades not elsewhere classified – only jobs in the fishing industry | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 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. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 31 December 2026 |
| 5235 Boat and ship builders and repairers – all jobs | - | Yes | - | - | 31 December 2026 |
| 5312 Stonemasons and related trades – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 31 December 2026 |
| 5313 Bricklayers – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 31 December 2026 |
5314 Roofers, roof tilers and slaters – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 31 December 2026 |
| 5316 Carpenters and joiners – all jobs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 31 December 2026 |
| 5319 Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only retrofitters | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 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 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 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 roles also exist. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 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. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 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. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 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. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 31 December 2026 |
Key Expiry Dates & Transitional Rules
■ Most occupations on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) will be removed by 31 December 2026, after which reduced salary thresholds will no longer apply. The ISL is currently being phased out but remains active until that date.
■ Care Workers (6135) and Senior Care Workers (6136) cannot be sponsored from overseas where the application is made on or after 22 July 2025. A worker in the UK can be sponsored on an application to stay if they have worked legally for the sponsor in one of these roles for at least three months and apply before 22 July 2028, or already hold Skilled Worker permission in one of these roles, in which case there is no deadline. These roles stay on the ISL for certificates issued before 22 July 2028.
Salary Thresholds from 22 July 2025:
For Skilled Worker visa applications made on or after 22 July 2025:
⧁ The general salary threshold rises to £41,700
⧁ For roles on the ISL or new entrants, the minimum salary increases from £30,960 to £33,400
⧁ Health and Care visa applicants in a Health and Care ASHE salary job need at least £31,300 (less with a relevant PhD or as a new entrant), or £25,000 where the job is on the ISL, and the going rate. Care workers also need at least £12.82 an hour. Health and education jobs on national pay scales need £25,000 and the pay scale rate
⧁ There is no transition period for these new thresholds
Time-Limited TSL Coexists with ISL:
A Temporary Shortage List (TSL) has been introduced alongside the ISL to address critical shortages in infrastructure and industrial strategy roles. TSL jobs do not benefit from salary discounts or reduced visa fees, and a TSL job can only be sponsored where the CoS is issued before 31 December 2026. The MAC's July 2026 review recommended 28 occupations for access from January 2027. Until the Immigration Rules change, the current list applies.
Restrictions on Dependants:
Workers sponsored under the ISL or TSL in roles at RQF Level 3–5 cannot bring dependants, unless they were granted Skilled Worker permission in such a role under the rules in place before 22 July 2025 and have held it continuously since. Care workers and senior care workers can bring dependants only if first granted in the old codes 6145 or 6146 before 11 March 2024, with continuous permission since. The restriction does not apply to ISL jobs at RQF Level 6, such as biological scientists (2112) and graphic and multimedia designers (2142).
How WorkPermitCloud Can Help
At WorkPermitCloud Ltd, we assist employers and applicants in navigating these time-limited exemptions. Our team offers:
✔ Guidance on eligibility under the Appendix ISL
✔ Help issuing CoS before the removal deadline
✔ Strategic workforce planning in line with UKVI compliance
✔ Support in adapting to upcoming Skilled Worker reforms
Submit a Priority Service Request If your situation is urgent: Submit Now
📞 Call: +44 020 8087 2343
📧 Email: info@workpermitcloud.co.uk
📅 Book a consultation: calendly.com/lutfur-workpermitcloud
Conclusion
The Appendix Immigration Salary List offers a short window of flexibility for UK employers needing to fill critical vacancies with overseas talent. But time is running out. Whether you're hiring care workers, welders, artists, or technicians, ensure your sponsorship process is completed before the removal dates take effect.
WorkPermitCloud is here to help you sponsor wisely, remain compliant, and plan your recruitment pipeline before these exemptions end.
Glossary
Term | Definition |
| Immigration Salary List (ISL) | A list of specific occupations eligible for reduced salary and skill thresholds under the Skilled Worker route. |
| Skilled Worker Visa | A UK visa route allowing overseas workers to fill eligible jobs with a licensed sponsor. |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | An electronic document issued by a licensed sponsor that supports a worker's Skilled Worker visa application. |
| SOC Code | Standard Occupational Classification code used to identify eligible job roles under UK immigration rules. |
| Appendix Skilled Worker | A section of the UK Immigration Rules that defines requirements for the Skilled Worker visa, including the Temporary Shortage List. The ISL itself is in Appendix Immigration Salary List. |
| Removal Date | The final date by which a CoS must be issued for a job to qualify under the ISL. After this, the reduced thresholds no longer apply. |
| Health and Care Visa | A sub-category of the Skilled Worker route allowing fast-tracked visa processing for eligible health and care workers. |
| In-country switching | The process of changing visa categories or job roles without leaving the UK, available under limited transitional rules. |
