Immigration Salary List (ISL) - What is ISL, Latest changes and salary threshold

Employers with a valid sponsor licence in the UK can employ/sponsor migrant workers on the Skilled Worker route for an eligible job only. The sponsored worker can check if their job is eligible on the gov.uk using their job’s 4-digit code. This code is usually mentioned on their CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship), assigned to them by their sponsor. 

Eligible skilled worker jobs are listed on gov.uk. This list contains eligible high-skilled jobs (at RQF level 6 – Graduate level or above) and medium-skilled jobs (at RQF level 3-5 – below Graduate level) for the skilled worker route. An employer sponsoring a worker for a job on this list must pay the worker the relevant minimum salary level.

What is ISL?

There is another list called ISL (Immigration Shortage List). ISL replaced the SOL (Shortage Occupation List) on 4 April 2024 and specifies occupations that benefit from lower salary thresholds. The ISL, or immigration shortage list, is a list of occupations with lower salary requirements. An employer can employ a skilled worker for a job on the ISL if there is a long-term shortage of local workers in the UK labour market for that job. 

ISL gives the sponsors a discount on the general salary threshold. Jobs listed on ISL include occupations that require a lower skill level (RQF level 3-5, or in other words, below RQF level 6), and employers sponsoring workers for jobs on the ISL can pay discounted salaries to the sponsored workers. 

 Immigration Salary List on 22 July 2025 

below 

Latest changes to the Skilled Worker route, including in relation to ISL (Immigration Shortage List)

Since 22 July 2025, the baseline skill threshold for jobs on the Skilled Worker route has been set to RQF level 6. In this effort, the ISL has been expanded, which means additional occupations at RQF Levels 3–5 have been added that were not on the ISL before this date. Also, many occupations listed previously on the ISL have been removed, and some have been moved to the newly introduced TSL (Temporary Shortage List). The TSL has been introduced to cover medium-skilled jobs—specifically those at RQF Levels 3 to 5. Notably, some occupations appear on both ISL and TSL.

Now, from 22 July 2025, an employer cannot assign a fresh CoS to a person looking to apply on the Skilled Worker route for medium-skilled jobs unless it is on the expanded ISL or TSL. However, the transition period applies to existing skilled workers with medium-skilled jobs.

Both ISL and TSL have been set to be removed on 31 December 2026.

Transitional arrangements for those who got their first CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) prior to 4 April 2024

There is a transitional arrangement available to those already in the UK with a Skilled Worker visa who received their CoS prior to 22 July 2025. They can still apply to extend their Skilled Worker visa. This includes those in the UK in a job role that has been removed from the ISL from 22 July 2025. 

Those with ‘medium-skilled’ jobs (including jobs listed on the ISL) can only extend their Skilled Worker visa if:

• They got their first CoS before 22 July 2025; and 

• They have continually held one or more Skilled Worker visas since they got their first CoS 

ISL and salary threshold relation

From 22 July 2025, the standard salary requirement for sponsored workers applying for the Skilled Worker route has been increased to £41,700. From this date, sponsored workers on the Skilled Worker route must be paid the minimum salary of £41,700 per year or the ‘going rate’ for the type of work they will be doing, whichever is higher. 

However, those applying for a job on ISL can still be paid at least £33,400 per year. They must still be paid at least the standard going rate for their job. 

Those applying for a job on the ISL (Immigration Salary List) also pay a lower fee to apply for their visa.

Lower salary requirements for skilled workers who received their first certificate of sponsorship prior to 4 April 2024

Those who received their CoS for their Skilled Worker visa prior to 4 April 2024 and who have continually held at least one Skilled Worker visa since then can apply to extend their visa for which they can be paid an annual salary of £31,300 (instead of £41,700) or the lower going rate for their occupation ‘whichever is higher’. 

But for an extension, those with a job on the ISL need to be paid an annual salary of at least £25,000 or the full going rate of their job, whichever is higher.

Importantly, the lower salary threshold will only be in place for applications made prior to 4 April 2030.

How can Visa and Migration help?

As an established agency in London, we regularly speak with employers and individuals who are unsure about how the latest ISL (Immigration Salary List) changes affect them. Since the rules changed from 22 July 2025, our job is to clearly communicate the minimum salaries, job eligibility, and sponsorship. Our goal is that you (both employers and workers) get it right and to guide you in the right direction.

When it comes to the Skilled Worker route, we carefully look at your specific situation. We check whether a role you want to sponsor or apply for falls under the Immigration Salary List, the Temporary Shortage List, or whether it must meet the RQF Level 6 requirement. We also carefully review salary levels to ensure you meet the correct threshold and the Home Office's “going rate” for the role.

For employers, we help reduce the risk of refusals by advising on salary budgeting, compliant salary structures, and sponsor licence issues. For applicants, we explain restrictions in relation to their visa extensions, job changes, and dependants.

We work from latest immigration rules and current Home Office guidance, not assumptions. Therefore, our advice is always practical, accurate, and up to date.

For expert advice and queries, you can call us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261 or write at info@visaandmigration.com