Immigration Salary List (formerly Shortage Occupation List)

The Shortage Occupation List was renamed the Immigration Salary List during the 2024 overhaul. It still identifies jobs where the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) believes labour-market shortages justify easier entry terms.

What the concession is

For a role on the current list, the applicant may be able to use a lower general salary threshold: £33,400 under Option D, or £25,000 under the continuation Option I where that route applies. The Home Office Immigration Salary List guidance is clear that the discount does not reduce the SOC going rate; the full going rate still has to be met. Other parts of the Skilled Worker requirements, including English, genuine-vacancy checks and sponsor-licence status, remain unchanged.

Which roles are on it

The list is narrower than the pre-2024 version. Typical entries include a short set of health-care, science, engineering and creative roles. The MAC publishes updates annually and ad-hoc reviews can add or remove entries.

Always check the live gov.uk list before relying on any figure. Numbers circulating on forums may be out of date by months.

The Temporary Shortage List (from July 2025)

A second list — the Temporary Shortage List — was introduced in July 2025 alongside the ISL. Where the ISL reflects MAC-reviewed structural shortages, the Temporary Shortage List covers shorter-term gaps the government wants to fill quickly without a full MAC process. Roles on the Temporary Shortage List also qualify for lower general salary thresholds under Option D.

Always check both lists via the Temporary Shortage List guidance and the ISL before applying. Entries change more frequently than the ISL.

Why it matters less than it used to

In the pre-2020 Tier 2 system, shortage listing often made a large difference because of the Resident Labour Market Test. That test no longer exists, so the list’s remaining effect is narrower: a discount on the general threshold, not on the going rate.

Where to look next

If you are considering a shortage-listed role, browse sponsors in the matching sector. For the wider picture, read the salary guide.