Your Route to the UK is Still Open: How Nurses can Migrate to the UK Under the Skilled Worker Visa Route

Migrating to the UK as a nurse is a life changing opportunity both personally and professionally.  With the UK continuing to face a shortage of healthcare professionals, especially within the National Health Service (NHS) and social care sector, nurses from overseas are in high demand. The Skilled Worker Visa route is the primary pathway that allows qualified overseas nurses to live and work in the UK.

In this guide, we will break down everything you need to know about the process, eligibility, and next steps—so you can begin your journey with confidence.

Which visa is best for me?

Most international nurses who are working as registered nurses in their country of residence come to the UK on the Health and Care Worker Visa. This is a subcategory of the Skilled Worker route, specifically for those working in healthcare or the social care sectors in the UK. It offers reduced application fees and no Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). To be eligible for the visa you must have a job offer from an approved sponsor, who is able to assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship.

The step-by-step journey: overseas to the UK

Most overseas nurses start by passing the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) Computer Based Test (CBT) in their home country. After this, you need to secure a sponsored job offer, and when your employer assigns your Certificate of Sponsorship, you are able to apply for your visa. Once your visa is approved, you are able to travel to the UK and complete the OSCE at an approved test centre. When complete, you will receive your NMC PIN.

Remember, the OSCE sits within a strict timeframe: if you arrive as a pre-registration nurse, you are expected to sit the OSCE promptly and you must achieve full NMC registration within eight months of the start date on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

Pay and what to expect before and after your PIN

Nurses on this route are paid on the 'NHS Agenda for Change' pay bands, not the generic Skilled Worker Thresholds. Newly registered nurses typically start on Band 5; rates are updated annually but vary by UK nation, so make sure to check the live pay table when you receive an offer.

During the pre-registration period, sponsors can pay below the registered nurse-rate for a limited window, but not below Band 3. Once you secure your PIN your pay must move to the registered nurse rate for your particular role.

Documents you can expect to provide

Expect to provide the following documents when applying for your visa:

• Your assigned certificate of sponsorship

• Your passport

• Proof of your registration with the NMC

• English language evidence

• TB test results if applying from certain countries, such as India

Can my family come with me?

Yes - if you are sponsored as a registered nurse. Your partner and children can usually apply as your dependants, subject to standard eligibility and suitability requirements. Be aware that UKVI rules for other occupations have tightened. Fortunately, those restrictions do not apply to registered nurses.

Long term thinking

The Health and Care Worker visa category of the Skilled Worker visa is a path to settlement. This means that time spent in the UK on this visa counts towards your five year period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), if you meet the general settlement rules. For most nurses, this route provides a clear path from migration to permanent settlement in the UK.

To see whether you may be eligible to qualify for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa as a nurse, contact CTC Administration at info@ctcadministration.com for your free eligibility check.