In its rapid review delivered late on 28 November, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommended that 21 occupations—up from eight in its October 2023 interim list—be included in the new Immigration Salary List (ISL). The ISL will replace the Shortage Occupation List when the government’s November rule-changes take legal effect in January 2026.
The MAC says the expansion is needed because recent hikes to Skilled Worker salary thresholds—now £41,700 for most new certificates of sponsorship—will price many mid-skill roles out of sponsorship unless a discount mechanism exists. Newly added occupations include residential-care managers, welders, certain laboratory technicians, and cybersecurity specialists. Roles such as chefs and care workers remain excluded, reflecting ministers’ push to curb lower-wage migration.
![Migration Advisory Committee expands Immigration Salary List to 21 shortage roles]()
For employers, ISL status will grant a 20 % pay-discount against general thresholds and exempt jobs from the Immigration Skills Charge, cutting costs by up to £5,000 per hire. However, sponsors must still pay the higher of the discounted threshold or the occupation-specific ‘going rate’, and meet tougher English-language (B2) rules from January 2026.
Business groups welcomed the wider list but warned it is a ‘sticking-plaster’. The CBI argues that the salary-led system ignores regional pay variations and could undermine levelling-up goals outside London. Trade unions, meanwhile, say discounts risk suppressing wages for domestic workers and call for stronger enforcement of equal-pay safeguards.
Mobility teams should audit current and pipeline roles against the draft ISL and consider front-loading assignments before January to lock in lower salary commitments. Final ministerial approval is expected by mid-December, giving sponsors a narrow window to submit feedback via the Home Office’s online portal.
The MAC says the expansion is needed because recent hikes to Skilled Worker salary thresholds—now £41,700 for most new certificates of sponsorship—will price many mid-skill roles out of sponsorship unless a discount mechanism exists. Newly added occupations include residential-care managers, welders, certain laboratory technicians, and cybersecurity specialists. Roles such as chefs and care workers remain excluded, reflecting ministers’ push to curb lower-wage migration.
For employers, ISL status will grant a 20 % pay-discount against general thresholds and exempt jobs from the Immigration Skills Charge, cutting costs by up to £5,000 per hire. However, sponsors must still pay the higher of the discounted threshold or the occupation-specific ‘going rate’, and meet tougher English-language (B2) rules from January 2026.
Business groups welcomed the wider list but warned it is a ‘sticking-plaster’. The CBI argues that the salary-led system ignores regional pay variations and could undermine levelling-up goals outside London. Trade unions, meanwhile, say discounts risk suppressing wages for domestic workers and call for stronger enforcement of equal-pay safeguards.
Mobility teams should audit current and pipeline roles against the draft ISL and consider front-loading assignments before January to lock in lower salary commitments. Final ministerial approval is expected by mid-December, giving sponsors a narrow window to submit feedback via the Home Office’s online portal.
