The UK Immigration Salary List (ISL) is the primary tool for overseas professionals and their UK employers in 2026. It replaced the old Shortage Occupation List in April 2024 and determines which roles qualify for a lower salary threshold under the Skilled Worker visa. If your job is on the ISL, you can be sponsored at a reduced rate — and that reduction can make the difference between a viable job offer and one that falls short of visa requirements.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 ISL, which roles are on it, and how to use it correctly.
Why the ISL Matters More Than Ever in 2026
From 22 July 2025, the standard general salary threshold for most Skilled Worker visa applications rose to £41,700 per year, or the occupation-specific going rate, whichever is higher. That is a significant jump, putting Skilled Worker sponsorship out of reach for many small and medium-sized employers, particularly in sectors such as construction, social care, and the creative industries.
For roles on the Immigration Salary List, the general threshold drops to £33,400, a saving of £8,300 per year. For ISL healthcare occupations, a further reduced threshold applies, ranging from approximately £23,200 to £31,300, depending on the specific role and pay-scale classification. This is not a minor administrative detail — it is an £8,000+ difference that directly determines whether a role can be sponsored viably.
Who the ISL Covers
The ISL currently encompasses 21 occupations, 18 of which are eligible across the whole of the UK and 3 that are restricted to Scotland. The list spans several key sectors.
Science and Pharmaceutical Roles: Biological scientists and pharmaceutical technicians qualify under the ISL. These roles align with the UK’s strategic interest in maintaining its research and life sciences capacity. A biological scientist, for example, with a SOC code of 2112 and a going rate that may reach over £42,000 annually, must still meet the full going rate, but the ISL lowers the general threshold floor they are measured against.
Engineering: Specialist engineering positions, including mechanical engineering, are listed. The ISL provides employers in these fields with the certainty they need when planning international recruitment campaigns and setting salary bands for overseas hires.
Healthcare: Nursing roles and medical practitioners in certain classifications qualify, primarily through the Health and Care Worker visa sub-route. The salary calculation for these roles follows national pay scales rather than the standard ISL threshold, offering additional flexibility.
Creative Arts: Artists, dancers, and choreographers are included. This reflects the UK government’s acknowledgment that the creative sector faces genuine shortages that cannot be resolved quickly through domestic training pipelines alone.
Construction Trades: Bricklayers, carpenters, and joiners are on the list, though the ISL is considerably narrower than what the old Shortage Occupation List offered for construction roles. General construction labor does not qualify.
Care and Support Work: Care workers and nursing auxiliaries appear on the ISL, though overseas recruitment of care workers through the standard Skilled Worker route ended for new applicants as of 22 July 2025. Existing workers already sponsored before that date benefit from transitional protections until 22 July 2028.
Scotland-Specific Roles: Three occupations are only eligible under the ISL for roles based in Scotland. These include positions in fishing, forestry, nuclear chemistry, and shipbuilding. Employers must verify that the work location meets regional eligibility requirements before issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship.
What the ISL Does Not Do
A common misconception is that the ISL reduces the occupation-specific going rate for a role. It does not. The ISL only reduces the general salary threshold from £41,700 to £33,400. The going rate for the specific SOC code must still be met in full. If a nuclear scientist’s going rate is £35,200, that is what the employer must pay — not £33,400.
Additionally, since the July 2025 rule changes, new entrant and PhD salary discounts no longer apply to ISL occupations. Only the ISL-specific threshold reduction remains.
The Salary Calculation: A Practical Guide
For any ISL role, the minimum annual salary is the higher of two figures: the ISL-reduced general threshold (£33,400) or the occupation-specific going rate for the relevant SOC 2020 code.
The calculation must be based on a 37.5-hour working week. If the worker is contracted to work different hours, the salary must be prorated accordingly, and the hourly rate must still meet the required floor. Only guaranteed basic pay counts. Variable pay, bonuses, and allowances cannot be used to meet the threshold.
Using the ISL as an International Applicant
For overseas workers, being in an ISL-listed occupation provides a measurable advantage in the UK job market. It widens the pool of employers who can afford to sponsor you, since it removes £8,300 from the minimum cost of your salary to the employer. When searching for roles, focus on platforms like the NHS jobs portal for healthcare positions, sector-specific boards for engineering and science roles, and LinkedIn searches that combine your occupation with terms indicating visa sponsorship availability.
Check that any prospective employer holds an active UK sponsor license. The Home Office publishes a register of licensed sponsors on GOV.UK that is updated regularly.
Compliance Obligations for Employers
Correct use of the ISL demands precision. The Certificate of Sponsorship must accurately record that the role qualifies under the ISL and reference the correct SOC 2020 code. Payroll records must demonstrate that the required salary is paid in every individual pay period, not just as an annual average. Home Office compliance visits can and do check ISL sponsorship decisions, and incorrect SOC code assignment is among the most common grounds for sponsor license suspension.
Use the Home Office’s CASCOT tool to identify the right SOC code, and retain a written record of your decision-making process. Do not rely on job titles alone; the role’s duties determine the code, not the name on the contract.
How Long Does the ISL Last?
All ISL entries are currently set to expire on 31 December 2026, unless the Home Office extends them following the MAC’s Stage 2 review, expected in July 2026. Employers should begin scenario planning now for the possibility that some ISL roles will not be renewed under the post-2026 framework.
For employers with workers currently sponsored under ISL roles, the expiry of the list does not automatically void their sponsorship — but any new Certificates of Sponsorship assigned after the expiry date would need to meet the standard £41,700 threshold, unless new provisions are introduced.
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