Immigration Salary List — 2024 replacement for Shortage Occupation List

The Immigration Salary List (ISL) was introduced in April 2024 to replace the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). It applies to Skilled Worker (Appendix Skilled Worker) and overlays the standard salary thresholds.

For [CLIENT_NAME] in [ROLE] at [EMPLOYER_TYPE] (SOC [SOC_CODE], offered GBP [OFFERED_SALARY]):

§1 — ISL MECHANICS (120-150 words)

Roles on the Immigration Salary List qualify for:
  ▪ 20% discount on the general salary threshold
    - General threshold GBP 38,700 becomes GBP 30,960 for ISL roles
  ▪ 20% discount on going rate for the SOC code (but NOT below the going rate floor specified in Annex F)
  ▪ Lower application fee in some cases [VERIFY]

ISL is published in Annex F of Appendix Skilled Worker. Updated periodically (typically annually with April Statement of Changes).

Roles NOT on ISL face the standard thresholds.

For [SOC_CODE]: check Annex F of Appendix Skilled Worker for current ISL status.

§2 — CURRENT ISL ROLES (As of 2024-2025 reset) (150-180 words)

[VERIFY current 2026 list — the list changes annually]

Categories commonly on ISL since 2024:
  ▪ Care workers (SOC 6135)
  ▪ Senior care workers (SOC 6136)
  ▪ Nurses in shortage specialisms
  ▪ Civil engineers in certain areas
  ▪ Mechanical engineers in shortage sub-sectors
  ▪ Various STEM specialisms
  ▪ Welders, bricklayers, plasterers, roofers (skilled trades)
  ▪ Some teaching roles (physics, computer science)
  ▪ Selected veterinary roles

NOT on ISL (must meet full thresholds):
  ▪ Most IT professional roles (software engineers, programmers, IT business analysts) — these have GBP 38,700+ thresholds
  ▪ Most management consultancy roles
  ▪ Most generic professional services roles
  ▪ Most accounting / finance roles

For Indian applicants, the most-used ISL routes are:
  ▪ Care worker / Senior care worker (high volume since 2022)
  ▪ Nurses
  ▪ Healthcare assistants
  ▪ Specific STEM specialisms

§3 — ELIGIBILITY DETAILS (100-120 words)

To qualify for ISL discount:
  ▪ Role exactly matches the ISL-listed SOC code + sub-occupation
  ▪ Employer is appropriate (some ISL entries restrict to specific employer types — e.g. care workers must be at CQC-registered care providers)
  ▪ Salary at least at the going rate (NOT going rate × 80%; the going rate floor is hard)
  ▪ All other Skilled Worker requirements still apply (CoS, sponsor licence, English, maintenance)

For [SOC_CODE] [ROLE] at [EMPLOYER_TYPE]:
  ▪ Verify in Annex F that the specific occupation is listed
  ▪ Confirm employer type matches (CQC-registered if care)
  ▪ Calculate minimum salary: higher of (GBP 30,960) OR (going rate for SOC code)

§4 — INDIAN CARE WORKER PATHWAY (120-150 words)

Care worker route (SOC 6135) is the most-used ISL route by Indian applicants since 2022:

Eligibility:
  ▪ Employer: CQC-registered care home / domiciliary care provider
  ▪ Role: hands-on care work (NOT casual / agency basic)
  ▪ Salary: GBP 23,200/year minimum [VERIFY] — this is the H&C Worker threshold which is even lower than ISL discount; care workers can apply via H&C Worker route which has additional benefits (no IHS, lower fees)

Senior Care Worker (SOC 6136):
  ▪ Same as above but supervisory role
  ▪ Higher salary threshold typically
  ▪ Often comes with team leadership responsibility

For Indian care workers:
  ▪ Education: typically Class XII minimum
  ▪ Care experience: 1+ year preferred but not strictly required
  ▪ English: B1 CEFR — IELTS UKVI Academic / General Training, or OET (Occupational English Test) for healthcare specifically
  ▪ Family dependants permitted under H&C Worker route

§5 — APPLICATION FEES + IHS UNDER ISL (60-80 words)

Application fees:
  ▪ Standard Skilled Worker fee structure applies
  ▪ Outside UK: GBP 719 (up to 3 years) / GBP 1,500 (>3 years) [VERIFY]
  ▪ Reduced fees for shortage occupations in some categories

IHS:
  ▪ Standard GBP 1,035/year (NOT exempted under ISL alone)
  ▪ EXCEPT for H&C Worker route which has IHS exemption (for health + care roles specifically)

§6 — STRATEGIC DECISION: ISL VS STANDARD SKILLED WORKER (80-100 words)

For [CLIENT_NAME] [ROLE]:
  ▪ If role is on ISL: apply with 20% discount; cheaper salary threshold; same path to ILR
  ▪ If role is in healthcare + ISL: prefer H&C Worker route (lower fees + IHS exemption)
  ▪ If role NOT on ISL: standard Skilled Worker thresholds apply

For Indian IT professionals (NOT on ISL):
  ▪ Standard Skilled Worker route at GBP 38,700+ threshold
  ▪ New Entrant discount available if under 26 / recent graduate / Immigration Salary List

§7 — UPDATES + MONITORING (60-80 words)

ISL is reviewed annually by:
  ▪ Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) — independent body
  ▪ MAC publishes review reports recommending additions / removals
  ▪ Home Office decides final list

For [CLIENT_NAME]:
  ▪ Verify role's ISL status at time of application (not at time of CoS issue)
  ▪ Subscribe to UKVI Statement of Changes updates
  ▪ If role removed from ISL post-CoS: existing CoS valid but new CoS for same role at new threshold

End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. ISL changes annually; verify the role's current status before applying. For care sector roles, the H&C Worker route is typically better than ISL (no IHS + lower fees). Confirm sponsor's CQC registration if applying as care worker — UKVI rejects applications from non-CQC sponsors for SOC 6135/6136."