UK Immigration · Skilled Worker visa
UK skills shortage list 2026
The UK skills shortage list is the Immigration Salary List (ISL) — the Home Office register of 25 occupations where employers may sponsor an overseas worker on a Skilled Worker visa at a reduced salary floor of 80% of the route’s usual minimum. It replaced the older Shortage Occupation List (SOL) on 4 April 2024 and was last updated on 11 November 2025.
Quick answer
- Occupations on the list
- 25
- UK-wide
- 22
- Scotland-only
- 3
Salaries assume a 37.5-hour week (pro-rated otherwise) and use SOC 2020 occupation codes. The reduced floor is 80% of the usual Skilled Worker minimum for the role.
What the list means
Each occupation has a SOC 2020 code and two salary figures. The going rate is the standard annual salary a Skilled Worker applicant must normally be paid for that code. The ISL salary floor is the reduced figure an employer may instead pay because the occupation is on the Immigration Salary List — set at 80% of the route’s usual minimum.
Some occupations are restricted to a specific UK nation. 3 of the 25 roles below apply in Scotland only; the rest apply UK-wide. Being on the list does not by itself grant a visa — the applicant and sponsoring employer must still satisfy every other Skilled Worker requirement.
Jobs on the Immigration Salary List qualify for a Skilled Worker / Health and Care Worker visa at 80% of the route’s usual minimum salary. Salaries assume a 37.5-hour week and must be pro-rated. SOC 2020 codes. Health and Care Worker visa sponsorship of new overseas care workers (SOC 6135/6136) is being phased out under the 2025 immigration reforms.
All 25 shortage occupations
Select an occupation for its full salary breakdown, visa context, and FAQ.
Animal Care
| Occupation | SOC | Going rate | ISL floor | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Racing grooms, stallion handlers and stud handlers | 6129 | £33,400 | £25,000 | UK-wide |
Arts & Culture
| Occupation | SOC | Going rate | ISL floor | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artists | 3411 | £38,200 | £26,600 | UK-wide |
| Skilled classical ballet or contemporary dancers | 3414 | £33,400 | £28,500 | UK-wide |
| Orchestral musicians (leaders, principals, sub-principals) | 3415 | £37,500 | £30,100 | UK-wide |
| Arts officers, producers and directors | 3416 | £38,100 | £28,800 | UK-wide |
Construction & Engineering
| Occupation | SOC | Going rate | ISL floor | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High integrity pipe welders (3+ years experience) | 5213 | £34,900 | £29,500 | UK-wide |
| Stonemasons and related trades | 5312 | £33,400 | £28,500 | UK-wide |
| Bricklayers | 5313 | £33,400 | £25,000 | UK-wide |
| Roofers, roof tilers and slaters | 5314 | £33,400 | £25,000 | UK-wide |
| Carpenters and joiners | 5316 | £33,400 | £27,800 | UK-wide |
| Retrofitters | 5319 | £33,400 | £27,300 | UK-wide |
Design & Creative
| Occupation | SOC | Going rate | ISL floor | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic and multimedia designers | 2142 | £33,400 | £26,200 | UK-wide |
Fishing & Maritime
| Occupation | SOC | Going rate | ISL floor | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing boat masters | 1212 | £33,400 | £25,800 | Scotland |
| Fishing industry skilled trades | 5119 | £33,400 | £25,000 | UK-wide |
| Boat and ship builders and repairers | 5235 | £33,700 | £29,600 | Scotland |
| Deckhands on large fishing vessels (3+ years experience) | 9119 | £33,400 | £25,000 | UK-wide |
Health & Social Care
| Occupation | SOC | Going rate | ISL floor | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors | 1232 | £33,400 | £25,000 | UK-wide |
| Pharmaceutical technicians | 3212 | £33,400 | £25,000 | UK-wide |
| Nursing auxiliaries and assistants | 6131 | £25,000 | £25,000 | UK-wide |
| Care workers and home carers | 6135 | £33,400 | £25,000 | UK-wide |
| Senior care workers | 6136 | £33,400 | £25,000 | UK-wide |
Science & Research
| Occupation | SOC | Going rate | ISL floor | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical scientists (nuclear industry) | 2111 | £39,900 | £31,300 | Scotland |
| Biological scientists | 2112 | £40,300 | £30,700 | UK-wide |
| Archaeologists | 2115 | £40,400 | £28,000 | UK-wide |
| Laboratory technicians (3+ years experience) | 3111 | £33,400 | £25,000 | UK-wide |
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK skills shortage list?
The UK skills shortage list is now formally the Immigration Salary List (ISL), published by the Home Office. It replaced the older Shortage Occupation List (SOL) on 4 April 2024. Jobs on the list qualify for a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa at 80% of the route’s usual minimum salary, so employers can sponsor overseas workers in these roles at a reduced salary floor.
How many occupations are on the Immigration Salary List?
There are 25 occupations on the current Immigration Salary List (updated 11 November 2025). 22 apply UK-wide and 3 are restricted to Scotland only.
What is the difference between the going rate and the ISL salary floor?
The going rate is the standard annual salary a Skilled Worker applicant must normally be paid for that occupation code. The ISL salary floor is the reduced figure (80% of the route minimum) that an employer may pay because the occupation is on the Immigration Salary List. Both assume a 37.5-hour working week and must be pro-rated for other patterns.
Does being on the shortage list guarantee a visa?
No. The Immigration Salary List only sets a reduced salary floor for eligible occupations. The applicant and sponsoring employer must still meet all other Skilled Worker route requirements — a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, English language, and the relevant skill level. Listing is one factor, not an automatic approval.
Are care workers still on the list?
Care-related management roles remain, but Health and Care Worker visa sponsorship of new overseas care workers (SOC 6135 and 6136) is being phased out under the 2025 immigration reforms. Always check the live GOV.UK page for the current position before relying on these codes.