How to Immigrate to the UK as a Nurse in 10 Easy Steps

Last updated on February 18th, 2023

If you want to “Japa” or immigrate to the UK as a nurse from Nigeria, then you should take this article seriously. The UK has a reputation for being welcoming to Nigerians and offers great opportunities for nurses looking to expand their skills and career.

In recent years, the number of Nigerian nurses moving to the UK has increased significantly. This trend is expected to continue over the next decade.

Nursing is a rewarding career choice, especially if you want to Japa or relocate abroad to make money. There are a number of reasons why you ought to think about moving to the UK to work as a nurse. Uk Hospitals are well-equipped with modern medical facilities. The country also offers career nurses a wide range of opportunities, especially at the National Health Service (NHS).

Besides, there are plenty of jobs available for nurses. Nurses are needed everywhere in the UK, especially in hospitals, to care for patients. Let’s have a look at how to get started.

Why do Nigerian Nurses immigrate to the UK to practice nursing?

Nigerian nurses are some of the most highly sought-after healthcare professionals in the world. And it’s no wonder why – they are highly trained and skilled, and their compassion and dedication to their patients are second to none.

So it’s no surprise that many Nigerian nurses choose to immigrate to the UK to practice nursing. There are many reasons why they choose to do so, but the main one is because they know they will be able to provide a higher standard of care for their patients in the UK.

They also know that they will be able to earn a good salary and have a better standard of living in the UK. And last but not least, they know that they will be welcomed with open arms by their fellow healthcare professionals in the UK.

Salary Package for Nigerian nurses in the UK

With each banding, there are pay gradations. That means if you work as a Nigerian nurse in the UK, promotions are guaranteed to come your way. However, a comprehensive guide to the UK nurse pay scale would still require some research on your part.

In general, starting pay for a band 5 nurse is £24,907 per year. Nurses with more than 7 years of experience can earn up to £37,890 in band 6 posts, which start at £31,365. For those with more than 7 years of experience, Band 7 posts increase to £44,503 from the starting salary of £38,890. Due to the additional responsibilities and lengthy hours, band 8 occupations start at £45,753 and can go up to £87,754 annually. Band 9 jobs have starting salaries of £91,004 and can pay up to £100,000 annually.

In addition, If you would like to find out about Doctor’s Salaries and the immigration process to the UK, check out our article on the ultimate guide to travel or Japa to the UK as a Medical Doctor here!

Japa: 10 Steps to Immigrate to the UK as a nurse from Nigeria

Nurses from Nigeria are in high demand in the UK. Here are 10 steps to make your journey a success:

1. Get an international passport.
2. Sit for IELTS/OET.
3. Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC UK).
4. Verify your nursing qualifications with the NMCN.
5. Book your CBT with Pearson VUE.
6. Fill out the final form by NMC UK.
7. Pay the NMC registration fee.
8. Wait for a decision to be made by NMCN
9. Job Hunting.
10. Accept an offer letter for a job
11. Wait for a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS).
12. Tier 2 Visa Application.
13. Arrive in the U.k. and take your OSCE exam.

#1. Get an international passport

The first step is to apply for an international passport if you don’t have one. You’ll need it to register for IELTS. Depending on the situation at the Immigration office, it could take anything from 24 hours to several weeks or even months.

#2. Sit for IELTS/OET

Second, you will need to write and pass IELTS/OET before beginning the procedure because it is thought to be the most difficult of all. The IELTS (about N83,000): Listening: 7.0, Writing: 6.5, Reading: 7.0, Speaking: 7.0, and Overall: 7.0. Currently, the Occupation English Test (OET) costs around N150,000: Reading – B, Writing – C+, Listening – B, and Speaking – B is the minimum requirements.

#3. Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC UK)

After passing your proficiency exams (IELTS/OET), you must create an account on the NMC’s official website. At some time, a registration fee of £140 (about N51,800) will be required. Verification of your NMCN license and university/school of nursing outcomes are two important documents that will be required.

#4. Verify your nursing qualifications with the NMCN

You will need to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to have your nursing qualification certificate and license verified. This will cost roughly N17,500.

Notification/Certificate, letter requesting verification and good standing, valid license, CRM via NMC portal, and birth certificate are all required documents.

#5. Book your CBT with Pearson VUE

Once your eligibility has been determined and NMC has recommended you to take the Computer-Based Test (CBT), you must register for the test with Pearson VUE at a cost of £90. (about N33,300).

A voucher for this can be purchased at https://www.mindhub.co.uk/. Within 24-48 hours, you will receive a promo code that you can enter when you reach the payment stage of your CBT booking on the Pearson Vue site.

#6. Fill out the final form by NMC UK

After passing the CBT, you would log in to your NMC site and upload your personal documents, such as your nursing certificate, IELTS/OET results, and the name and contact information of your medical regulator (that is a medical doctor of your choice). Keep track of your progress from time to time.

#7. Pay the NMC registration fee

You would pay the NMC registration fee of £153 here (67,000). This was supposed to be paid after passing the OSCE in the United Kingdom; however, it is currently paid while in Nigeria. Following payment, NMC will send an email to your medical doctor/regulator for your health declaration, so please notify your doctor ahead of time.

NMC will also request your good standing from NMCN, and once received, it will be promptly updated on your portal. It is critical to check your portal on a regular basis in order to track your progress.

#8. Wait for a decision to be made by NMCN

Wait for NMCN to complete your good standing (you do not need to pay again for this because the previous payment covers it).

#9. Job Hunt

You can begin seeking work at any time, but it is best to begin once you have completed the CBT and IELTS/OET. For positions in National Health Service (NHS) hospitals, you can use an agent or apply directly on NHS.jobs, tracjobs, and indeed.co.uk, but for care homes, go to http://www.carehome.co.uk.

The benefits of a care home versus the NHS differ; which one you choose depends on what you want; try researching both before making a decision. Care homes are generally thought to pay more, although NHS hospitals are better for career progression. You can also write emails to select trusts to express your interest in working for them as a Nurse.

#10. Accept an offer letter for a job

Sign the offer letter and deliver your documents to the trust once you’ve received an offer you’re happy with.

Even if you have more than one offer, do not sign more than one. When applying directly, keep in mind that you may have to fund your visa and ticket yourself while receiving a refund once you get in the UK (this isn’t always the case).

Agents, on the other hand, pay for this in advance. Just make sure you thoroughly study your offer letter to understand what the trust is giving.

#11. Wait for a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS)

A COS is required to prove that you have a sponsor. This eliminates the necessity for a bank statement when applying for a visa. Your employer will demand certain documents from you in order for you to apply for a COS, such as a police clearance certificate, TB certificate, and so on. If you have a husband and/or children, notify your employer so that your COS will cover your dependents (spouse and children).

#12. Tier 2 Visa Application

You can book your tier 2 visa biometric appointment after receiving your COS. You can get information to aid you with your process online. The decision takes three weeks to be made public. TLS centers can be found in Lagos and Abuja.

#13. Arrive in the U.k. and take your OSCE exam

After you arrive in the UK as a nurse, your company will schedule OSCE and OSCE training classes for you. After completing the OSCE, you will be fully qualified to practice nursing in the UK as a band 5 nurse. After passing this, you will be given your pin (license) to practice with.

Also Read: Best Passport for International Travel in Nigeria

UK Processing time for Nigerian Nurses

The United Kingdom has been known for its quick processing times for visas for foreign nurses, but what about Nigerian nurses? While the UK is currently processing Nigerian nurses’ visas in a timely manner, there have been reports of long wait times and delays.

Nigerian nurses are highly sought after by NHS hospitals throughout the UK because of their excellent nursing skills and ability to speak English.

However, due to the high demand and short supply of Nigerian nurses, many healthcare facilities have had to turn to foreign workers in order to meet the demands of patient care.

This has led to long wait times for Nigerian nurses applying for a visa to work in the UK. In some cases, it can take up to six months for a Nigerian nurse’s visa application to be processed.

International nurses band 5 to Uk

A banding system is used in the United Kingdom. A Band 5 nurse is an entry-level position. This is where some international nurses begin their careers. They are often expected to begin in a hospital setting and then progress within your ward. A Band 6 is a Nursing expert or senior nurse who may be in command on occasion, whereas a Band 7 is an advanced nurse or “sister” who may be in charge of every shift they work.

A modern matron or chief nurse is a band 8 nurse. Some crucial managerial skills are required here. A band 9 nurse is at the top of the food chain. They are senior NHS management personnel.

Must Read: Countries You Can Migrate to If You’re Tired of Nigeria

Annual Leave and Holidays in the Uk for Nigerian Nurses

Nigerian nurses in the UK are entitled to 27 days of annual leave each year, plus eight general/public holidays. After ten years, this increases to 33 days.

Annual leave would be taken with your employer’s permission. In the United Kingdom, there is no legal right to select when to take your yearly leave as a nurse; your employer must balance your freedom to leave against the demands of the service and maintain sufficient staffing levels.

Working Hours for Nigerian Nurses in the UK

A full-time UK nurse works 37.5 hours per week, excluding meal breaks. 60% of nurses and midwives work 12-hour shifts, often from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., allowing the NHS to provide patients with 24-hour care.

Wrap up!

In conclusion, nurse travel to the UK can be a rewarding experience. It is important to research the destination carefully, as there are numerous visas and other requirements that must be met in order to enter the country. With a bit of planning and enough patience, nurse travelers can enjoy a fabulous trip to one of the most beautiful countries in the world.