How to Move to the UK as a Nurse From Nigeria in 2026 (Step by Step)

Why the UK Needs Nigerian Nurses Right Now

The NHS is facing one of the most significant nursing shortages in its history. There are more than 40,000 registered nursing vacancies across England alone, and the demand shows no sign of easing. Nigeria is one of the top source countries for internationally qualified nurses coming to the UK, and the pathway is well established, with thousands of Nigerian nurses successfully making the move each year.

If you are a registered nurse in Nigeria and you want to move to the UK, this guide covers every step of the process from verifying your qualifications to landing your first NHS shift.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility for NMC Registration

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the UK regulator for nurses and midwives. Before you can work as a nurse in the UK, you must register with the NMC. Nigerian nurses trained at a degree level and registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria are generally eligible to apply.

The NMC will assess your application and determine whether you need to take the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) before full registration is granted. Most Nigerian nurses are required to complete the OSCE.

What the NMC assessment covers:

Your nursing qualification and the institution where you trained

Your registration status in Nigeria

Evidence of good health and good character

English language proficiency

Step 2: Pass Your English Language Test

The NMC requires Nigerian nurses to demonstrate English language proficiency, even though English is widely used in Nigerian healthcare settings. The two accepted tests are:

IELTS Academic: Minimum overall score of 7.0, with no component below 6.5.

OET (Occupational English Test): Minimum grade B in all four components. Many nurses find OET more practical as it uses healthcare scenarios.

Both tests are available in Nigeria. Book well in advance as test centres fill up quickly. You will need your results before the NMC will progress your application.

Step 3: Apply for NMC Registration

Once you have your English language results, submit your application through the NMC Online portal. You will need to provide:

Certified copies of your nursing degree certificate

Official transcripts from your training institution

Proof of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria

A certificate of good standing from the Nigerian NMC

Your English language test results

A completed health and character declaration

The NMC will review your application and issue a decision letter. Most Nigerian nurses receive a conditional registration decision, which means they are eligible to work as a registered nurse pending completion of the OSCE.

Step 4: Find a Job Offer From a Licensed NHS Employer

This is the most important step for your visa. You need a job offer from a UK employer that holds a sponsor licence from the Home Office. The employer will issue your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is required for your Skilled Worker Visa application.

The good news is that the NHS is one of the most active sponsors in the country. NHS trusts recruit internationally qualified nurses on a regular basis, and most have dedicated international recruitment teams.

Where to find NHS nursing jobs that offer sponsorship:

NHS Jobs (jobs.nhs.uk): The official NHS recruitment platform. Filter by "visa sponsorship available" where possible.

Hiredge job alerts: Set up a free alert for nursing roles and enable the visa sponsorship filter. Every employer in your alert is verified against the Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors before the email is sent.

Registered NHS international recruitment agencies: Some agencies hold framework agreements with NHS trusts and manage the entire relocation process on your behalf.

When applying, be upfront about your visa requirements. NHS employers recruiting internationally are experienced with this process and will not be deterred.

Step 5: Complete the OSCE

The OSCE is a practical examination held at a small number of approved test centres in the UK. It tests your clinical skills, professional communication, and patient care competencies across a series of stations.

Most employers who recruit internationally will either arrange your OSCE date or support you in booking it. The test is typically taken within the first few weeks of arriving in the UK on your visa.

To prepare:

Use the NMC OSCE preparation materials published on its website

Many training centres offer OSCE preparation programmes, both online and in person

Practice with colleagues or study groups using past station scenarios

Focus particularly on the communication stations, which assess how you interact with patients and colleagues in a UK clinical context

Pass rates have improved significantly in recent years as preparation resources have become better. Most nurses pass on their first or second attempt.

Step 6: Apply for Your Skilled Worker Visa

Once you have your job offer and your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number, you can apply for a Skilled Worker Visa. For nurses, the Health and Care Worker Visa is the relevant route, which comes with reduced application fees and is exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Requirements at the time of application:

Valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer

Salary at or above the relevant threshold for your nursing pay band

English language evidence (your NMC test results count)

A valid passport

Proof you can support yourself financially (or confirmation your employer covers this)

The visa application is made online through the UK Visas and Immigration portal. Most applications for Health and Care Worker Visas are decided within three weeks.

Step 7: Prepare for Relocation

Before you travel, there are practical steps to take that will make your first weeks in the UK much smoother.

Accommodation: Your employer may offer temporary accommodation or a relocation allowance. Confirm this before you travel. If you need to find your own housing, the NHS and many agencies maintain lists of recommended landlords and short-term lets near your hospital.

National Insurance Number: You will need to apply for a National Insurance number once you arrive. This can be done online through the HMRC website.

Opening a Bank Account: You can open a basic UK bank account before you arrive using digital banks such as Monzo or Starling, which accept overseas applicants. A UK account is needed for your salary to be paid.

Registering With a GP: Once you have a UK address, register with a local GP surgery. As a Health and Care Worker Visa holder you are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge, which means you can access NHS treatment without additional cost.

Salary and Career Progression

NHS nurses are paid on the Agenda for Change pay scale. Most internationally qualified nurses start on Band 5, which had a starting salary of approximately £29,970 in 2025 with progression to £36,483. With experience, promotion to Band 6 (specialist or senior staff nurse) and Band 7 (ward manager or advanced practitioner) is achievable within a few years.

London weighting is applied for roles in Greater London, adding several thousand pounds to annual pay.

How Hiredge Helps Nigerian Nurses

Hiredge's visa sponsorship job alert is free to set up and cross-references every employer against the Home Office register automatically. You can set your job title to "Registered Nurse", specify your preferred location, and tick the sponsorship filter. Every role that arrives in your inbox has already been verified as coming from a licensed sponsor.

You can also use Hiredge's CV tailoring tool to adapt your Nigerian nursing CV to match UK NHS job descriptions, and the cover letter generator to write a supporting statement that directly addresses NHS application criteria.