What is the UK Immigration Salary List?
The UK Immigration Salary List is the replacement for the Shortage Occupation List under the Skilled Worker route of the UK’s Immigration Rules. This is the official list of skilled jobs for which workers are deemed to be in short supply.
The creation of the new list is part of a package of immigration measures announced by the government on 4 December 2023 to curb immigration abuse and cut net migration in the UK.
Immigrants who received a certificate of sponsorship after 4 April 2024 will be impacted by these latest updates.
Immigration Salary List
Below is the list of immigrant salary list uploaded by the UK Home Office.
If you were issued a certificate of sponsorship for your initial Skilled Worker visa prior to 4 April 2024, you will be eligible for the Lower rate, whereas the standard rate applies to individuals who received their sponsorship certificate after 4 April 2024.
Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services
- Standard rate: £30,960 (£15.88 per hour)
- Lower rate: £27,000 (£13.85 per hour)
Bricklayers
- Standard rate: ££30,960 (£15.88 per hour)
- Lower rate: £25,800 (£13.23 per hour)
Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
- Standard rate: £31,000 (£15.90 per hour)
- Lower rate: £25,800 (£13.23 per hour)
Carpenters and joiners
- Standard rate: £30,960 (£15.88 per hour)
- Lower rate: £25,200 (£12.92 per hour)
Construction
- Standard rate: £30,960 (£15.88 per hour)
- Lower rate: ££25,500 (£13.08 per hour)
Care workers, Animal care services, and Fishing
- Standard rate: £30,960 (£15.88 per hour)
- Lower rate: £23,200 (£11.90 per hour)
Chemical scientists
- Standard rate: £35,200 (£18.05 per hour)
- Lower rate: £29,600 (£15.18 per hour)
Biological scientists
- Standard rate: £41,900 (£21.49 per hour)
- Lower rate: £32,100 (£16.46 per hour)
Social and humanities scientists
- Standard rate: £36,400 (£18.67 per hour)
- Lower rate: £25,200 (£12.92 per hour)
Graphic and multimedia designers
- Standard rate: £30,960 (£15.88 per hour)
- Lower rate: £35,800 (£18.36 per hour)
Laboratory technician
- Standard rate: £30,960 (£15.88 per hour)
- Lower rate: £23,200 (£11.90 per hour)
Pharmaceutical technicians
- Standard rate: £30,960 (£15.88 per hour)
- Lower rate: £23,400 (£12.00 per hour)
Artists
- Standard rate: £32,900 (£16.87 per hour)
- Lower rate: £27,300 (£14.00 per hour)
Dancers and choreographers
- Standard rate: £ £30,960 (£15.88 per hour)
- Lower rate: ££23,200 (£11.90 per hour)
Musicians
- Standard rate: £32,900 (£16.87 per hour)
- Lower rate: £27,300 (£14.00 per hour)
Arts officers, producers and directors
- Standard rate: £37,500 (£19.23 per hour)
- Lower rate: £31,300 (£16.05 per hour)
More Details About the UK Immigration Salary List
Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) issued a report detailing recommendations for occupations to be included in the newly established Immigration Salary List (ISL).
The MAC’s report recommends including 23 occupations in the ISL, representing 8% of the SW route’s job roles by employment, a decrease from the previous 30% under the SOL.
The government insists on listing only roles that are both skilled and in shortage, emphasizing that no industry should permanently depend on migration. The list’s purpose is not to decrease wages or hinder the hiring of UK workers.
The MAC advised eliminating the 20% wage reduction for ISL-designated shortage jobs to protect local workers and prevent migrant exploitation.
The report states that effective April 4, the Skilled Worker visa’s minimum salary will increase from £26,200 to £38,700, a 48% rise, aimed at lowering entrant numbers, easing public service strain, and preventing wage undercutting of local workers by employers hiring inexpensive foreign labour.
Additionally, the family visa’s minimum salary requirement will increase to £29,000 starting from April 11 and is set to reach £38,700 by early 2025, ensuring financial support for dependents in the UK.
The government will maintain the new entrant concession for individuals under 26, offering a 30% reduction on the specific occupation salary threshold and a 20% cut on the general salary limit, with the necessity to meet the higher amount.