The UK government has published its immigration salary list, identifying specific occupations that allow foreign nationals to qualify for a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa at 80% of the standard minimum salary threshold. The list covers roles across healthcare, construction, agriculture, science, and the arts. All salary figures are calculated based on a 37.5-hour working week, and employers and applicants must adjust figures proportionally where working hours differ from that baseline.
Two categories of workers are eligible for the reduced threshold. The first comprises those applying for a Health and Care Worker visa in designated occupations. The second covers workers whose certificate of sponsorship for a first Skilled Worker visa was issued before 4 April 2024, provided they have held one or more Skilled Worker visas continuously since that date. Workers uncertain about their occupation classification can consult the CASCOT occupation coding tool to identify the correct code.
The list includes 13 occupations with specific occupation codes and salary thresholds. These include fishing boat masters in Scotland, biological scientists, archaeologists, graphic and multimedia designers, laboratory technicians, and arts officers, producers, and directors. Each occupation has a standard rate and a lower rate, with the lower rate being 80% of the standard minimum salary threshold.
The occupations on the list have standard rates ranging from £33,400 to £40,400, with lower rates ranging from £25,000 to £30,700. For example, biological scientists have a standard rate of £40,300 and a lower rate of £30,700, while laboratory technicians with at least three years of relevant on-the-job experience have a standard rate of £33,400 and a lower rate of £25,000.
The immigration salary list remains in effect in 2026 and applies to both new applicants and those renewing their visas, subject to the eligibility conditions outlined by the Home Office. This means that foreign nationals who meet the eligibility conditions can apply for a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa at the lower salary rate.
The UK government's decision to introduce the immigration salary list aims to attract skilled workers to fill labor gaps in certain sectors. The list covers a range of occupations across various industries, including healthcare, construction, and science. By offering a lower salary threshold, the UK government hopes to encourage foreign nationals to apply for Skilled Worker visas and contribute to the country's workforce.
The list of qualifying jobs and salary thresholds is as follows:
Key points
- The UK government has published a list of 13 jobs that qualify foreign nationals for Skilled Worker visas at 80% of the standard minimum salary threshold.
- Two categories of workers are eligible for the reduced threshold: those applying for a Health and Care Worker visa in designated occupations and workers whose certificate of sponsorship for a first Skilled Worker visa was issued before 4 April 2024.
- The list includes occupations such as biological scientists, archaeologists, graphic and multimedia designers, laboratory technicians, and arts officers, producers, and directors.
