Understanding the Immigration Salary List: How It Sets UK Visa Pay Thresholds

What is the Immigration Salary List?

The immigration salary list is a schedule of occupations published by the Home Office where a reduced salary threshold applies for the Skilled Worker visa route. It forms part of the Immigration Rules Appendix Immigration Salary List and is designed to help employers fill roles in areas with identified labour shortages without having to meet the full general salary requirement.

Under current rules, employers sponsoring a Skilled Worker must pay the higher of:

• a general threshold (set at the 30th percentile of full-time earnings across eligible occupations)
• an occupation-specific threshold (set at the 25th percentile of that occupation's earnings)

If the role is on the immigration salary list, the required salary may be lower than the general threshold, though the exact amount depends on the occupation and its specific threshold.

How Salary Thresholds Are Calculated

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) provides technical guidance on setting these thresholds. Using the latest Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data from the Office for National Statistics, the general threshold for 2025 is £44,000 per year. This is based on the 30th percentile of full-time annual earnings for all eligible occupations at RQF6+ (excluding pay-scale roles).

Occupation-specific thresholds are calculated at the 25th percentile of each 4-digit SOC code's earnings distribution. To reduce year-on-year volatility, a smoothing method is applied: the current year is weighted at 0.5, the previous year at 0.3, and two years prior at 0.2. For example, if an occupation's unsmoothed 25th percentile is £45,000 in the current year, £44,000 in the previous year, and £43,000 two years prior, the smoothed threshold would be £44,200 (rounded to nearest £100).

These thresholds are updated annually in line with the latest ASHE release.

Where the Immigration Salary List Sits on the UK Salary Index

To understand how these thresholds compare to typical UK earnings, consider the Job Salary Index, which benchmarks pay against the national median.

• UK median full-time annual earnings (ASHE 2025): £39,039 – index 100
• General skilled worker threshold: £44,000 – index ~113
• National Living Wage (21+, 37.5 hrs/week, 2026/27): £24,785 – index ~63

The general threshold is notably above the median, meaning only roles paying above-average salaries qualify for sponsorship under the standard route. Occupations on the immigration salary list may have lower thresholds, sometimes closer to the NLW or public sector pay scales.

For instance, NHS Band 1 pay for 2026/27 is £25,272 per year, which is below the general threshold but may be acceptable if the role is on the immigration salary list. Similarly, care workers and fishing boat masters benefit from reduced thresholds.

Regional Differences and Public Sector Pay

The immigration salary list varies by UK nation. For example, fishing boat masters are only included for Scotland, while residential care roles apply across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Some occupations have removal dates – fishing boat masters are listed until 31 December 2026.

For largely public sector occupations (e.g., NHS, teaching, civil service), salary thresholds are set in line with national pay scales rather than the percentile method. This means that even if a role is not on the immigration salary list, the required salary may be based on the relevant pay band.

Practical Implications for Job Seekers and Employers

If you are a job seeker considering a Skilled Worker visa, check whether your occupation appears on the immigration salary list. If it does, the salary requirement may be more achievable. Employers should also review the list when planning recruitment for hard-to-fill roles.

The salary articles section of Job Salary Index provides further analysis of how visa thresholds compare to real-world pay data. You can also explore salary data for specific occupations and regions.

Remember that salary thresholds are updated annually. The figures here are based on ASHE 2025 data and the MAC technical note published in May 2026. Always verify current requirements on GOV.UK before making visa or hiring decisions.

Key Takeaways

• The immigration salary list allows reduced salary thresholds for certain occupations.
• The general Skilled Worker threshold is £44,000, above the UK median of £39,039.
• Occupation-specific thresholds are smoothed to avoid volatility.
• Public sector roles may use national pay scales instead.
• The list varies by nation and has removal dates for some occupations.

For a broader view of UK pay benchmarks, visit the index board or explore topics related to immigration and earnings. The about page explains how the salary index is constructed.