In 2024, the UK government retired the "Shortage Occupation List" (SOL) and replaced it with the "Immigration Salary List" (ISL). Now in 2026, the ISL has become a more focused, strategic document designed to protect local wages while still allowing essential sectors to thrive. If you are a candidate or an employer, understanding how the ISL interacts with the £41,700 salary floor is the most important part of your 2026 immigration strategy. At Recruitroo, we’ve built this logic directly into our automated platform.
What is the ISL?
The ISL is a list of roles that the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) deems in short supply but sensible to recruit from abroad. Crucially, being on the ISL does not grant a "going rate" discount like the old SOL did. Instead, it allows for a 20% discount on the general salary floor. In 2026, this means an ISL role can be sponsored at £33,400 instead of the standard £41,700.
-
•
Lower Application Fees: Roles on the ISL still benefit from slightly lower visa application fees, which can save employers hundreds of pounds per hire.
-
•
Going Rate Trap: Remember, you must still be paid the full "going rate" for your SOC code. If the going rate is £45,000, being on the ISL won't help you; you must be paid £45,000.
Common 2026 ISL Roles
The 2026 list is leaner than previous years. It heavily favors the following areas:
- Laboratory Technicians: Essential for the UK's growing life sciences sector.
- Construction Trades: Bricklayers, roofers, and retrofitting specialists needed for green housing projects.
- Specialist Care: While general care work rules changed in 2024, senior care workers and specialist therapists remain on the 2026 list.
How Recruitroo Simplifies the ISL
Because the ISL is reviewed every six months, what is a "shortage role" today might not be one tomorrow. Recruitroo’s compliance engine updates in real-time. When an employer creates a job post, our system instantly checks the SOC code against the live 2026 ISL. If the role qualifies, the system automatically applies the £33,400 floor, ensuring the job offer is legally sound before it ever reaches a candidate.
Check if your profession is on the 2026 list at Recruitroo.com/candidates. Employers, book a demo to automate your ISL compliance. Learn more at Recruitroo.com.