Overseas workers coming to the UK on a skilled worker visa, or a health and care worker visa need to satisfy a minimum salary requirement.
Certain jobs qualify for a discounted General Salary at 80% of the threshold that applies to Standard roles.
Jobs that are eligible for a discount are listed on the government’s immigration salary list.
The immigration salary list
On 4 April 2024, the government’s Shortage Occupation list was replaced with the ‘Immigration Salary List’.
Under the new rules, the General Salary threshold was increased as well as the Going Rates in SOC codes. For sponsorship, both the discounted General Salary Threshold as well as the Going Rate for the specific occupation code the worker will be sponsored under must be met. In practice, this means that for many jobs on the list, the discount may now be considerably lower than 20%.
Why is there an immigration salary list?
The government aims to reduce net migration and the list limits those coming to the UK to assist with meeting this target. However, the government acknowledges that certain sectors have a shortage of skills / workers in the UK labour force to fills these roles and this list is one of the ways the government responds to the skills gap in the market.
The new list is noticeably shorter than the previous shortage occupation list, which held 53 occupations compared to just 23 occupations on the current list. As a result of the shorter list, employers will need to meet the standard salary threshold if they want to fill vacancies with overseas workers, which may have previously been eligible for discounted salary rates under the Shortage Occupation list but are now not eligible for the discount because the job isn’t on the new Immigration Salary list.
What occupations are on the immigration salary list?
The following occupations are on the newly revised immigration salary list, with the standard occupational classification (SOC) code:
- 1212 Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing, and related services – only “fishing boat masters” (Scotland only)
- 2111 Chemical scientists – only jobs in the nuclear industry (Scotland only)
- 2112 Biological scientists – all jobs (UK-wide)
- 2115 Social and humanities scientists – only archaeologists (UK-wide)
- 2142 Graphic and multimedia designers – all jobs (UK-wide)
- 3111 Laboratory technicians – only jobs requiring 3 or more years related on-the-job experience (UK-wide)
- 3212 Pharmaceutical technicians – all jobs (UK-wide)
- 3411 Artists – all jobs (UK-wide)
- 3414 Dancers and choreographers – only skilled classical ballet dancers or skilled contemporary dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK ballet or contemporary dance companies. (UK-wide)
- 3415 Musicians – only skilled orchestral musicians who are leaders, principals, sub-principals, or numbered string positions, and who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK orchestras. (UK-wide)
- 3416 Arts officers, producers, and directors – all jobs (UK-wide)
- 5119 Agriculture and fishing trades not elsewhere classified – only jobs in the fishing industry (UK-wide)
- 5213 Welding trades – only high integrity pipe welders, where the job requires 3 or more years related on-the-job experience. (UK-wide)
- 5235 Boat and ship builders and repairers – all jobs (Scotland only)
- 5312 Stonemasons and related trades – all jobs (UK-wide)
- 5313 Bricklayers – all jobs (UK-wide)
- 5314 Roofers, roof tilers, and slaters – all jobs (UK-wide)
- 5316 Carpenters and joiners – all jobs (UK-wide)
- 5319 Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only retrofitters (UK-wide)
- 6135 Care workers and home carers – all jobs (UK-wide) *
- 6136 Senior care workers – all jobs (UK-wide) *
- 6129 Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified – only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers, and work riders (UK-wide)
- 9119 Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified – only deckhands on large fishing vessels (9 metres and above) where the job requires the worker to have at least 3 years full-time experience in using their skills. (UK-wide)
What is the standard occupational classification of jobs?
When an employer sponsors an individual as a skilled worker to work for them in the UK, the UK-based job must be on the government’s list of eligible occupations.
The standard occupational classification (SOC) is the list of these occupations together with the required skill level and skill content for each occupation code.
Employers need to identify the correct SOC when assigning a certificate of sponsorship and ensure they use the most suitable code, for the vacancy.
What are the immigration salary list salary requirements?
If a worker wishes to apply for a skilled worker visa, they will not need to meet the newly increased standard General Salary requirement of £38,700, if the job they have been offered is on the immigration salary list.
Instead, a 20% discount will be applied, reducing the General Salary threshold to £30,960. If the Going Rate for the job in question is higher than the General Salary, the employer will need to pay at least the Going Rate - the higher rate out of the two - to meet Skilled Worker visa requirements.
It is worth noting that the Going Rate is based on a 37.5-hour week and may be pro-rated, unlike the General Salary threshold, which is a flat fee.
For those applying for a health and care worker visa, there is a slightly lower minimum general salary threshold of £23,200, unless their role is a national pay scale occupation, in which case the relevant occupational pay scale will apply.
How 3CS can help
Our expert immigration and employment solicitors provide advice, guidance, or representation in respect of a wide range of employment and immigration issues. For assistance, please get in touch.
