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Navigating the UK immigration system can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding salary requirements for different visa routes. Whether you are an employer looking to sponsor international talent or an individual applying for a UK work visa, the immigration salary list is an important resource.

The immigration salary list helps determine which jobs can qualify for a Skilled Worker visa or Health and Care Worker visa under lower salary rules than the standard threshold, provided the other visa requirements are also met. The official list is published by the Home Office on GOV.UK.

In this guide, we explain what the UK Immigration Salary List is, how it works, how employers and applicants should use it, and why it matters in 2026.

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What is the UK Immigration Salary List?

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The UK Immigration Salary List is an official list of occupations that can qualify for lower salary treatment under the Skilled Worker route and, where relevant, the Health and Care Worker route. It is used alongside the job’s occupation code, going rate, and visa rules to decide whether a role is eligible for sponsorship.

For employers, this means checking that a sponsored role is correctly classified and paid at the appropriate level. For applicants, it means making sure the job offer matches the salary rules for the visa route they are applying under. GOV.UK states that applicants must have an eligible job, a Home Office-approved employer, and be paid at least the required minimum salary for that role.

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Why does the Immigration Salary List exist?

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The immigration salary list exists to support the UK sponsorship system by identifying specific roles where lower salary rules can apply. It helps the Home Office assess whether a job can still qualify for sponsorship even if it is below the usual standard Skilled Worker threshold, provided the role is included on the list and all other conditions are met.

It also has a cost impact for applicants. GOV.UK confirms that applicants pay a lower Skilled Worker visa application fee if their job is on the immigration salary list.

In practical terms, the list helps:

• identify eligible roles for lower salary treatment.
• support visa compliance for sponsors and applicants.
• reduce visa application fees for qualifying jobs.

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Immigration Salary List minimum thresholds

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As of 2026, most Skilled Worker visa roles must meet a general salary threshold of £41,700 per year or the occupation-specific “going rate”, whichever is higher.

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Roles on the Immigration Salary List may qualify under reduced thresholds, but these are now more limited than in previous years and depend heavily on the specific SOC code and eligibility criteria.

GOV.UK also explains that:

• salary figures on the list are based on a 37.5-hour working week.
• the figures must be pro-rated if weekly working hours differ.
• some applicants qualify under the standard rate.
• others may qualify under the lower rate, depending on their circumstances.

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Key points employers should understand

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Standard Skilled Worker threshold
For most new Skilled Worker applications, the usual benchmark is £41,700 per year or the going rate, whichever is higher.

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Immigration Salary List threshold
If the job is on the immigration salary list, lower salary rules may apply. GOV.UK’s current list shows many eligible occupations with a standard rate of £33,400 and a lower rate of £25,000, though not every occupation uses exactly the same figure.

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Healthcare and education roles
GOV.UK states that some healthcare and education jobs follow different salary rules where national pay scales apply.

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Impact on employers and applicants

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For employers, salary errors can create both visa refusal risk and sponsor compliance risk. If the salary recorded in the offer letter, employment contract, payroll records, or Certificate of Sponsorship does not match the applicable immigration rules, the application can be refused.

For applicants, the key point is that being offered a job title alone is not enough. The role must be correctly coded, genuinely eligible, and paid at the required level.

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How to Use the UK Immigration Salary List

Understanding how to use the UK immigration salary list is essential for both employers and applicants.

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For employers

‍1. Identify the job role and occupation code
Before checking salary eligibility, you need the correct occupation code for the role. GOV.UK advises employers and applicants to confirm the correct code before checking salary rules.

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2. Check whether the role is on the immigration salary list
Review the official GOV.UK list and confirm whether the role is included. Some occupations apply UK-wide, while others apply only in certain parts of the UK.

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3. Check the correct salary threshold
Compare the salary being offered with the applicable standard rate, lower rate, and going rate for the role.

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4. Make sure all documents are consistent
The salary details in the employment contract, Certificate of Sponsorship, and supporting records should all match.

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For visa applicants

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‍1. Verify your job offer
Make sure your salary meets the threshold for your occupation code and visa route.

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2. Check the official GOV.UK list yourself
Do not rely only on a job title. Check whether the role is actually on the immigration salary list and whether any regional restrictions apply.

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3. Collect supporting evidence
You may need evidence from your employer showing the salary, working hours, and job duties.

If your business needs help managing sponsor duties, right to work checks, or immigration processes, see:
Annaizu Immigration & Compliance Services
https://www.annaizu.com/

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Benefits of a Role Being on the Immigration Salary List

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Being on the immigration salary list can offer real advantages, although employers still need to meet the correct visa and sponsorship conditions.

1. Lower salary treatment

The main benefit is that qualifying jobs can be assessed under lower salary rules than the usual Skilled Worker threshold. GOV.UK states that jobs on the list can qualify at 80% of the route’s usual minimum rate.

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2. Lower visa fees

GOV.UK confirms that applicants pay a lower application fee if their role is on the immigration salary list.

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3. Support for key sectors

The list includes roles across care, construction, science, creative industries, and selected technical occupations, making it relevant to sectors where sponsorship remains strategically important.

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4. Clearer sponsorship planning

For employers, the list can make it easier to identify whether a vacancy is likely to be sponsor-able before recruitment begins.

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Which Roles Are on the Immigration Salary List in 2026?

In 2026, several key roles remain on the UK immigration salary list, each with its own specific salary threshold. Below is an overview of some of the primary roles:

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Important note for care sector employers

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GOV.UK states that for care workers and home carers (6135) and senior care workers (6136) with a working location in England, the sponsor must hold Care Quality Commission registration and be carrying on a regulated activity. GOV.UK also states that private households or individuals generally cannot sponsor Skilled Worker applicants in these roles.

Official GOV.UK source:
Skilled Worker visa: immigration salary list

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Conclusion

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The immigration salary list remains an important part of the UK sponsorship system. It affects whether a job can qualify for sponsorship under lower salary rules, and it can also reduce visa fees for eligible applicants. At the same time, employers and applicants still need to meet all the other Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa requirements.

For employers, understanding the immigration salary list is essential when planning international recruitment. For applicants, checking the list is a key step in confirming whether a job offer is genuinely sponsorship-ready.

If you are unsure whether your job qualifies, or you need help managing sponsor licence compliance, onboarding, or workforce immigration processes, Annaizu can help.

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