UK Shortage Occupation List Replaced: Here’s What You Need to Know About the New Immigration Salary List (April 2025)

 

As of 4th April 2025, the UK Government has officially closed the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and replaced it with the new Immigration Salary List (ISL). If you're still using the term Shortage Occupation List, it's time to update your vocabulary—because that list no longer exists.

The ISL now contains only 23 job roles. If you're applying for a Skilled Worker visa or planning to sponsor a candidate, this is the list that matters now.

In this blog post, you’ll learn:

• ✅ What is the Immigration Salary List?
• ✅ Which 23 jobs are listed?
• ✅ What happens if your job isn’t on the list?
• ✅ How to find your correct SOC code and eligibility

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🚨 What Is the Immigration Salary List (ISL)?

The Immigration Salary List is the UK government's new official list of occupations eligible for salary discounts under the Skilled Worker visa route.

This change is part of the UK government's wider immigration reform efforts aimed at:

• Reducing net migration
• Tightening the number of foreign workers entering the UK
• Ensuring that only critical job roles receive preferential treatment

This is not a draft or proposal—the ISL is officially published on the UK Home Office website and already in effect.

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💼 Benefits of Being on the ISL

If your job appears on the Immigration Salary List, you are eligible for:

• 💷 Lower salary thresholds for visa sponsorship (compared to standard Skilled Worker rates)
• 🧾 Easier access to visa sponsorship for employers

You must still meet the 70 points requirement under the UK’s Points-Based System, but the salary discount makes it easier for employers to sponsor you.

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📋 Full List of the 23 Jobs on the Immigration Salary List (Effective April 2025)

Here are the jobs listed in the Skilled Worker Immigration Salary List (using SOC 2020 codes):

SOC Code	Job Title	Region	Minimum Salary (Lower Rate)
1212	Managers and Proprietors (Scotland only)	Scotland	£27,000
21111	Chemical Scientists (Nuclear industry)	UK-wide	£29,600
21112	Biological Scientists	UK-wide	£32,000
2115	Social & Humanities Scientists	UK-wide	£25,000
2142	Graphic and Multimedia Designers	UK-wide	£30,960*
3111	Laboratory Technicians	UK-wide	£23,200
32112	Pharmaceutical Technicians	UK-wide	£23,200
3411-344	Artists, Dancers, Musicians	UK-wide	£23,200–£27,300
5119	Agricultural and Related Trades	UK-wide	£23,000
5213	Welding Trades	UK-wide	£26,400
5235	Boat and Ship Builders	UK-wide	£28,000
5312-5315	Construction Workers (Masons, Roofers, Carpenters)	UK-wide	£25,500
6135	Care Workers	UK-wide	£23,200
6136	Senior Care Workers	UK-wide	£23,200
6129	Animal Care Services	UK-wide	£23,200
9119	Fishing & Related Services	UK-wide	£23,200

Note: Only CQC-regulated (Care Quality Commission) employers can sponsor Care Worker (6135) and Senior Care Worker (6136) roles.

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❓ What If Your Job Isn’t Listed on the ISL?

If your job is not on the ISL, don't worry—you may still qualify under the Skilled Worker Visa route, but without salary discounts.

Here’s what to do:

1. ✅ Check the full Skilled Worker eligibility list in the 292-page Home Office PDF (Table 1, 2, and 3)
2. ✅ Ensure your salary meets the standard threshold
3. ✅ Meet the English language requirement
4. ✅ Accumulate 70 points under the Points-Based System

You can still get sponsored if your job is included in the wider skilled occupation list and meets salary and job level criteria.

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🔍 How to Find Your SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification)

If you're unsure about your SOC code:

1. Visit the ONS Occupation Finder Tool (link below)
2. Enter your job title (e.g., “Business Analyst”)
3. Review the description and job responsibilities
4. Match your tasks to the most relevant code

Example: For Business Analyst, possible SOC codes include:

• 2133 – IT Business Analyst
• 2421 – Management Consultant
• 2424 – Business and Financial Project Manager

Click into each to find the matching job description and minimum salary required.

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💡 Final Tips for Applicants

• 🧾 Always check if your job code and salary align with Home Office guidelines
• 💼 Use ATS-optimized CVs to increase job chances
• 🤝 Network actively on LinkedIn, Reed, Indeed, and professional forums
• 🇬🇧 If you’re in the UK already, leverage your current visa to switch if eligible

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📥 Download the Full List & Tools

• ✅ Official Immigration Salary List – UK Gov Website
• ✅ ONS SOC Code Finder Tool

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