The United Kingdom’s immigration system has undergone significant changes in 2025, and understanding the UK Immigration Salary List has become crucial for international workers seeking sponsored employment. While the standard Skilled Worker visa minimum salary increased to £38,700, the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List) offers a lower threshold of £33,400 for qualifying roles experiencing critical labor shortages.
From healthcare professionals to engineering specialists, the UK Immigration Salary List creates accessible pathways for international talent in sectors where British workers are insufficient. Moreover, these positions come with visa sponsorship, clear immigration routes, and potential for permanent settlement after five years of continuous residence.
This comprehensive guide breaks down which occupations qualify at the £33,400 minimum, explains regional salary variations, identifies top employers actively sponsoring visas, outlines application requirements, and provides step-by-step instructions for securing your sponsored role in 2025.
Why the UK Immigration Salary List Matters
The UK Immigration Salary List represents the government’s response to critical labor shortages across essential sectors. Understanding its benefits is crucial for international workers.
Key Advantages of ISL Roles
- Lower Salary Threshold → Qualifying occupations require only £33,400 annual salary instead of the standard £38,700. Consequently, more positions become accessible to international workers.
- Reduced Immigration Skills Charge → Employers pay lower fees for ISL roles. Therefore, companies are more willing to sponsor international candidates in these positions.
- Fast-Track Processing → Applications for UK Immigration Salary List roles often receive priority processing. Additionally, approval rates are higher for shortage occupations.
- Settlement Pathway → After five years on a Skilled Worker visa, you qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Furthermore, this leads to British citizenship eligibility after six years of total residence.
- Family Benefits → Your spouse and children can join you on dependent visas with full work and study rights. Moreover, they follow the same settlement timeline.
UK Immigration Salary List: Qualifying Occupations at £33,400
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of UK Immigration Salary List roles qualifying at the minimum salary threshold.
| Occupation | SOC Code | Minimum Salary | Top Hiring Sectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 2231 | £33,400 | NHS Trusts, Private Hospitals |
| Paramedics | 2234 | £33,400 | NHS Ambulance Services |
| Social Workers | 2442 | £33,400 | Local Councils, Charities |
| Secondary Education Teachers (STEM) | 2314 | £33,400 | Academy Trusts, Grammar Schools |
| Civil Engineers | 2121 | £33,400 | Construction, Infrastructure |
| Mechanical Engineers | 2123 | £33,400 | Manufacturing, Automotive |
| Electrical Engineers | 2126 | £33,400 | Energy, Construction |
| Care Workers | 6145 | £33,400 | Care Homes, Home Care Agencies |
| Lab Technicians | 3111 | £33,400 | NHS Labs, Private Diagnostics |
| Architects | 2431 | £33,400 | Architecture Firms, Councils |
Regional Variations: While £33,400 represents the minimum, London employers typically offer 10-20% higher salaries due to cost of living adjustments.
Top Healthcare Roles on the UK Immigration Salary List
Registered Nurses (£33,400 – £45,000)
Healthcare remains the largest employer of UK Immigration Salary List professionals. The NHS faces a shortage of over 40,000 nurses nationwide. Consequently, trusts across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland actively recruit internationally.
Top Hiring NHS Trusts: Guy’s and St Thomas’, Royal Free London, Manchester University, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, and NHS Scotland Health Boards.
Specialties in Demand: Adult nursing, mental health nursing, pediatric nursing, and operating department practitioners all qualify. Moreover, experienced nurses with UK registration command higher salaries.
Requirements: Nursing degree, NMC registration (or eligibility), IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in each component, and minimum one year post-qualification experience.
Paramedics (£33,400 – £48,000)
Ambulance services across the UK desperately need qualified paramedics. Therefore, these roles consistently appear on the UK Immigration Salary List with excellent sponsorship opportunities.
Major Employers: London Ambulance Service, North West Ambulance Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, and Welsh Ambulance Service actively sponsor international paramedics.
Career Progression: Clear pathways exist from paramedic to advanced practitioner to emergency care practitioner roles. Additionally, there are opportunities for specialization in critical care and air ambulance services.
Care Workers (£33,400 – £38,000)
Social care represents one of the fastest-growing sectors on the UK Immigration Salary List. With an aging population, demand for skilled care workers continues rising dramatically.
The top employers that sponsor internationally include HC-One, Four Seasons Health Care, Barchester Healthcare, and local authority care services.
Certification Required: NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent international qualification. Furthermore, you must demonstrate English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS 4.0.
Engineering and Technical Roles
Civil Engineers (£33,400 – £55,000)
The UK’s infrastructure boom drives consistent demand for civil engineers on the UK Immigration Salary List. Major projects across transport, water, and energy sectors require qualified professionals.
Key Projects Hiring: HS2 high-speed rail, the Thames Tideway Tunnel, nuclear power stations, and regional transport upgrades all employ international engineers.
Top Employers: AECOM, Jacobs, Balfour Beatty, Mott MacDonald, and Arup regularly sponsor civil engineers.
Qualifications Needed: Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, chartered status (or eligibility), and typically 3-5 years of experience. Moreover, UK registration with ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) enhances prospects.
Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (£33,400 – £52,000)
The manufacturing and energy sectors consistently seek engineers for UK Immigration Salary List positions. Renewable energy expansion particularly drives demand for electrical specialists.
Major Employers: Siemens, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, National Grid, and offshore wind farm operators sponsor international engineers.
Education Sector Opportunities
Secondary Teachers—STEM Subjects (£33,400–£48,000)
Mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science teachers qualify for the UK Immigration Salary List due to persistent shortages. Academy trusts and maintained schools actively recruit internationally.
- Top Hiring Regions: London boroughs, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and Yorkshire consistently sponsor international teachers.
- Requirements: Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, teaching qualification (PGCE or equivalent), and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) eligibility. Furthermore, a successful enhanced DBS check is mandatory.
How to Secure UK Immigration Salary List Jobs
1. Verify Occupation Eligibility
Check the official Home Office Immigration Salary List to confirm your occupation qualifies. Additionally, ensure that the specific SOC code aligns precisely with your experience and qualifications.
2. Obtain Required Qualifications
Most UK Immigration Salary List roles require professional registration or licensing. Research your profession’s regulatory body (NMC for nurses, HCPC for paramedics, etc.) and begin the registration process early.
3. Target Licensed Sponsors
Focus applications on employers holding valid Skilled Worker sponsor licenses. The Home Office maintains a public register of licensed sponsors you can search online.
4. Prepare Strong Applications
Tailor your CV to UK standards (typically two pages maximum). Quantify achievements with specific metrics. Additionally, obtain professional references from supervisors who can verify your experience.
5. Understand the Visa Process
Once you secure a job offer, your employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Subsequently, you apply for the Skilled Worker visa with this CoS number, supporting documents, and required fees.
Benefits of UK Immigration Salary List Positions
- Lower Salary Requirement—Access skilled worker visas at £33,400 instead of £38,700.
- Strong Demand—Shortage occupations offer abundant job opportunities across regions.
- Settlement Pathway – Achieve Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years of continuous residence.
- NHS Access—Free healthcare for you and your family through the National Health Service.
- Family Sponsorship—Bring dependents who can work and study without restrictions.
- Career Progression – Well-defined advancement paths with salary increases over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the UK Immigration Salary List?
The UK Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List) identifies roles experiencing critical labor shortages. These occupations qualify for lower salary thresholds and reduced immigration fees.
Q: Can I qualify at less than £33,400?
Generally no. The minimum remains £33,400 for most ISL roles. However, “new entrant” rates apply for recent graduates (under 26) at 70% of the standard salary.
Q: Which regions offer the most ISL jobs?
London, the Southeast, the Northwest, the West Midlands, and Scotland offer the most opportunities. However, every UK region has UK Immigration Salary List vacancies.
Q: How long does visa processing take?
Standard processing takes 3-8 weeks. Priority services reduce this to five working days for additional fees.
Final Thoughts
The UK Immigration Salary List provides international workers with accessible pathways to British employment and permanent residency. With the minimum salary threshold at £33,400, qualifying occupations across healthcare, engineering, education, and social care offer realistic opportunities for skilled professionals worldwide.
Whether you’re a nurse seeking NHS employment, an engineer attracted to infrastructure projects, or a teacher passionate about education, the UK’s shortage occupations create clear routes to visa sponsorship. Moreover, with settlement eligibility after five years and comprehensive benefits throughout your stay, these positions offer long-term career and life opportunities.
The demand for ISL workers shows no signs of decreasing. Therefore, if you qualify for a shortage occupation, 2025 is your year to secure sponsored employment and begin your UK journey. Your British career starts today.