Understanding the Immigration Salary List (ISL) and Hourly Pay Myths

The Immigration Salary List (ISL) is a government list of occupations where a reduced salary threshold applies for the Skilled Worker visa route. It is not a UK-wide pay scale, but it often causes confusion among employees and job seekers who hear about it alongside hourly pay discussions. This article debunks common myths about the ISL, hourly pay, and overtime, using official UK data.

Myth 1: The ISL sets minimum hourly rates for all UK workers

This is false. The ISL is part of the immigration rules, not employment law. It lists occupations where the standard Skilled Worker salary threshold is reduced – typically to 80% of the going rate for that occupation. The thresholds are annual salary figures, not hourly rates. For example, a nurse might have a reduced threshold of around £27,000 per year, but the actual hourly pay for NHS nurses is determined by Agenda for Change pay bands. According to NHS Employers, Band 2 entry in 2026/27 pays £15.89 per hour (annual £31,066). The National Living Wage (NLW) for ages 21+ in 2025 was £12.21 per hour, rising to £12.71 in 2026/27 (based on on-site reference DB). The ISL does not override these.

Myth 2: Overtime counts towards the ISL salary threshold

For Skilled Worker visa purposes, the salary must be guaranteed and paid as part of the contracted employment. Overtime that is not guaranteed – even if regularly worked – is generally not counted towards meeting the ISL threshold. Some allowances (e.g., London weighting) may be included if they are paid as part of the guaranteed package. This is a key distinction from domestic pay, where overtime can significantly boost annual earnings. The ONS ASHE 2025 data shows median full-time weekly earnings of £766.60, but this includes overtime for some roles. For visa applications, only the base salary matters unless overtime is contractually guaranteed.

Myth 3: The ISL applies to all jobs in the UK

No. The ISL only applies to Skilled Worker visa applicants. It does not affect the pay of British citizens, settled workers, or those on other visa routes. The list is updated periodically by the Home Office based on labour market evidence. Most UK employees are covered by the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or NLW, not the ISL. The ONS ASHE 2025 report shows that median hourly earnings for full-time employees were £19.67, well above the NLW. The ISL thresholds are typically set at a level that reflects the occupation's market rate, but they are not a benchmark for all workers.

How hourly pay converts to annual salary

When converting an hourly rate to an annual salary, a common assumption is 37.5 hours per week (standard full-time) and 52 weeks per year. For example, £12.71 per hour (2026/27 NLW) gives an annual gross of approximately £24,784.50. The Hourly to Salary calculator on this site uses that formula. However, actual annual pay may differ due to unpaid leave, variable hours, or overtime. The ONS ASHE uses a different definition of full-time (over 30 hours, or 25 for teachers) and reports median annual earnings of £39,039 for full-time employees in 2025. That equates to roughly £20.02 per hour at 37.5 hours, but many full-time workers work more or fewer hours.

The role of London weighting and overtime

London weighting is an additional allowance paid to employees working in Greater London to offset higher living costs. It can be included in the salary for Skilled Worker visa purposes if it is part of the guaranteed package. For example, NHS pay scales include Higher Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) that add to the hourly rate. Overtime, however, is usually excluded from visa salary calculations unless guaranteed. For domestic employees, overtime can significantly increase annual earnings, but it is not guaranteed and may vary. The salary articles section explores these nuances further.

Key takeaways

• The Immigration Salary List (ISL) is for visa applicants, not UK minimum pay.
• Overtime is generally not counted towards ISL thresholds.
• The National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage are the legal minimums for all workers.
• Hourly-to-salary conversions should use your contracted hours and weeks, not assumptions about overtime.
• Always check official GOV.UK guidance for immigration rules and HMRC for tax and NI.

For more detailed data on UK earnings, see the salary data page. If you need to convert your own hourly rate to an annual salary, use the hourly calculator with your specific hours. The topics section covers related subjects like the National Living Wage and NHS pay scales.

Disclaimer

Hourly-to-salary figures assume a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonus, tips or salary sacrifice. Annual ≈ hourly × hours/week × 52. Actual pay depends on rota, holiday pay method, London weighting and overtime rules. Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance.