Internationally Educated Nurses

01Our ethical recruitment commitment

We follow the Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of Health and Social Care Personnel in England. This means:

• No fees, ever. We never charge candidates for recruitment services. Charging work-seekers for finding work is illegal under section 6 of the Employment Agencies Act 1973.
• No active recruitment from red list countries. We do not advertise to, approach or target health and care workers in countries on the red list. We exclude these countries from our online advertising.
• Direct applications are treated fairly. If you live in a red list country and apply to an advertised role on your own initiative, the Code allows this.
• Same rights as UK-trained staff. We only work with employers who give internationally recruited staff the same terms and protections as other staff.
• Honest information. We explain the role, pay, location and what will happen before you agree to anything.

02Joining the NMC register

To work as a registered nurse in the UK you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. For nurses trained outside the UK, the NMC process normally includes an English language requirement, a computer-based test of competence and a practical exam (OSCE). The NMC sets and changes these requirements, so always check the latest information on the NMC website.

03Visas

We are not immigration advisers and cannot give immigration advice. Registered nurse roles can be eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa, but only through an employer that holds a sponsor licence. Since 22 July 2025, overseas care worker and senior care worker roles can no longer be sponsored. Official information is on GOV.UK. For advice, use a regulated adviser listed by the Immigration Advice Authority.