Best Countries for Nigerian and Filipino Nurses to Migrate to in 2025

The global nursing shortage remains one of the defining workforce problems of the decade. The World Health Organization estimates a shortfall of roughly 5.9 million nurses worldwide, and its 2025 State of the World's Nursing report warns that high-income countries are increasingly dependent on internationally trained staff — around one in seven nurses in wealthy nations now qualified abroad. For nurses from Nigeria and the Philippines, two of the largest nursing talent pools on the planet, that dependency translates into concrete, life-changing opportunities.

This is a working guide, not a brochure. If you are a registered nurse weighing up your options, the sections below compare the four destinations that consistently offer the clearest routes in 2026: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the United Arab Emirates. For each we set out the licensing steps, realistic salaries, visa pathways, likely costs and the practical snags that catch applicants out. Figures are current as of early 2026; exchange rates and government fees shift, so always confirm against the official regulator or immigration site before you pay anything.

One caution before you start. Nurse migration attracts a large number of agents, some legitimate and some not. Never pay a "guaranteed placement" fee, never hand over original documents to an unlicensed recruiter, and be wary of anyone who asks you to pay an employer for a job. Read our guide on avoiding migration scams before you sign anything.

United Kingdom (NHS and Private Sector)

The UK's National Health Service is among the largest employers in the world, and registered nursing sits firmly on the Immigration Salary List (the successor to the old Shortage Occupation List). Nursing is one of the few roles where the system is genuinely built to bring you in rather than keep you out.

Licensing Requirements

To work as a nurse in the UK you must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The process has three main gates:

• CBT (Computer-Based Test) — a two-part multiple-choice exam covering nursing theory and clinical knowledge. You can sit it in your home country at Pearson VUE centres, including in Lagos, Abuja and Manila.
• OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) — a practical exam of ten simulated stations taken at a UK test centre (usually Northampton, Oxford Brookes or Ulster). You demonstrate assessment, planning, care and evaluation skills.
• English language evidence — IELTS Academic with an overall 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in writing, 7.0 in the other components) or OET at grade B in all four skills. Nurses who trained and practised in English can sometimes evidence competence another way, but Nigerian and Filipino applicants are usually asked for a test result.

The full NMC journey typically runs 3 to 6 months if you prepare efficiently. Many NHS trusts sponsor overseas nurses through a structured pipeline that covers CBT costs, flights, initial accommodation and paid OSCE preparation once you arrive, with the OSCE fee often recovered from salary over time. Budget for the NMC application fee (around GBP 153) and the registration fee (around GBP 153) on top of exam costs.

Salary Expectations

NHS pay follows the Agenda for Change bands. As of the 2025/26 pay year the annualised ranges are approximately:

• Band 5 (newly registered / newly arrived): GBP 31,000 - 38,000
• Band 6 (experienced / specialist): GBP 38,700 - 46,150
• Band 7 (senior / advanced practice): GBP 47,800 - 54,700

London and the South East add a High Cost Area Supplement worth up to roughly GBP 2,300 a year in inner London. Unsocial hours (nights, weekends and bank holidays) are paid at enhanced rates of 30 to 60 per cent under Section 2 of Agenda for Change, and bank or agency shifts can lift take-home pay further.

Visa Pathway

Nurses enter on the Health and Care Worker visa, a favourable branch of the Skilled Worker route. Its advantages are real and add up quickly:

• Reduced visa application fees compared with the mainstream Skilled Worker visa
• Exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge, which for a five-year visa would otherwise cost over GBP 5,000 per person
• A route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement) after five years, then British citizenship a year later
• Dependants — a spouse or partner and children under 18 can join you

Note the direction of policy travel: the government has tightened the wider care sector, and from 2025 overseas recruitment of care workers (a separate, lower-paid role) was curtailed. Registered nurses are not affected in the same way, but salary thresholds and rules do move, so confirm the current position before committing. Our full UK migration guide covers dependants, settlement and switching employers in more detail, and the UK arrival guide walks through your first weeks, from NI numbers to opening a bank account.

Canada

Canada has deep and growing demand for nurses, especially in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and the Atlantic provinces. Nursing scores well across most immigration streams, and the payoff is significant: several pathways lead to permanent residency, sometimes from the moment you land.

Licensing Requirements

Nursing is regulated province by province, but the sequence is broadly consistent:

• NNAS (National Nursing Assessment Service) — you open an advisory report and NNAS assesses your education, registration and practice against Canadian standards. This is the slowest single step; allow several months and budget around USD 650 for the report plus courier and verification costs.
• Provincial regulator application — with your NNAS report you apply to the college in your chosen province (for example CNO in Ontario, BCCNM in British Columbia, CNO's equivalents elsewhere).
• NCLEX-RN exam — the North American licensing exam, now standard across most Canadian provinces. It is computer-adaptive and can be sat at Pearson VUE centres, including outside Canada.
• Language test — IELTS General or Academic, or CELBAN (a healthcare-specific test) for English provinces; TEF or TCF for Quebec, which runs its own system through the OIIQ.

The end-to-end process commonly takes 6 to 12 months, occasionally longer if NNAS needs documents verified directly from your training institution. Start credential verification early, because Nigerian and Filipino schools can be slow to respond.

Salary Expectations

Registered nurse pay varies by province and union agreement, but typical 2026 ranges are:

• Registered Nurse (entry level): CAD 68,000 - 85,000
• Experienced RN: CAD 85,000 - 105,000
• Nurse Practitioner: CAD 105,000 - 130,000+

Overtime, shift differentials and northern or rural premiums push earnings well above base. Alberta and British Columbia tend to post the highest starting salaries, while remote and northern postings can add substantial allowances.

Visa Pathway

The main routes for nurses are:

• Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) — nurses tend to score strongly in the Comprehensive Ranking System, and since 2024 Canada has run category-based draws targeting healthcare occupations, which can invite candidates at CRS scores below the general cut-off. This is often the single biggest advantage for internationally trained nurses.
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) — most provinces run dedicated healthcare streams; a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points and effectively guarantees an invitation.
• Atlantic Immigration Program — New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador offer employer-driven, streamlined routes for healthcare workers.

Most of these lead to permanent residency either on arrival or within one to two years, giving you free movement between employers and provinces. See our Canada migration guide for a walkthrough of Express Entry profiles and PNP timelines.

Australia

Australia runs a well-resourced healthcare system and has long welcomed international nurses. Working conditions are strong, penalty rates are generous, and there is a clear line to permanent residency.

Licensing Requirements

To practise you register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) via the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Since 2020 AHPRA has used an Outcomes-Based Assessment (OBA) model for internationally qualified nurses:

• Portfolio / eligibility check — AHPRA reviews your qualification and registration history to confirm you meet the standard for the OBA pathway.
• OBA multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ) — a computer-based cognitive exam that can be sat in your home country.
• OBA Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) — a practical exam taken in Adelaide.
• English language evidence — IELTS Academic 7.0 in each band (the strictest of the four countries), or equivalent OET, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT. AHPRA does allow scores to be combined across two sittings within a six-month window under set conditions, which helps many applicants.
• National Police Check and, for relevant roles, a Working with Children Check.

The English requirement is the usual sticking point. If your scores are not yet at level, plan for a serious, sustained preparation effort rather than repeated last-minute attempts.

Salary Expectations

Nurse pay is set by state and territory awards and enterprise agreements. Indicative 2026 ranges:

• Registered Nurse (Level 1, early career): AUD 72,000 - 88,000
• Experienced RN (Level 2): AUD 88,000 - 105,000
• Clinical Nurse Specialist: AUD 105,000 - 120,000
• Nurse Practitioner: AUD 125,000+

Penalty rates for weekends, public holidays and night shifts are among the most generous anywhere, frequently adding 25 to 75 per cent, and superannuation (employer pension contributions, rising to 12 per cent in 2025) sits on top of your salary.

Visa Pathway

• Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand visa) — the employer-sponsored route that replaced the old Temporary Skill Shortage visa in late 2024. Nursing sits in the higher-paid streams, allowing up to four years' work and a transition to permanent residency.
• Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) — direct employer-sponsored permanent residency, often reachable after a period on a 482.
• Subclass 189 / 190 (Skilled Independent / State Nominated) — points-tested permanent visas. Registered nurses appear on the Core Skills Occupation List, so you can apply for PR directly if you score enough points.
• Regional visas (subclass 491 / 494) — extra points and often faster processing for those willing to work outside the major cities.

Regional flexibility is worth taking seriously; it frequently makes the difference between a slow queue and a prompt invitation. Our Australia migration guide breaks down the points test and state nomination in full.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE offers a distinct proposition: high tax-free salaries, modern facilities and a fast licensing timeline, in exchange for a residency model that is employment-based rather than permanent. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have invested heavily in world-class hospitals, and demand for experienced nurses is steady.

Licensing Requirements

Licensing is handled by the emirate-level authority where you will work:

• DHA (Dubai Health Authority) — Dubai
• DOH (Department of Health) — Abu Dhabi
• MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention) — the northern emirates

The process generally requires:

• A minimum of two years' post-qualification experience (some authorities and specialties ask for more)
• DataFlow verification — third-party primary-source verification of your degree, licence and experience, typically 4 to 8 weeks and around USD 250 to 350
• Prometric / licensing exam — a computer-based exam specific to the authority you apply under
• English — the working language, and a formal test is often not required where your nursing education was delivered in English, though individual employers may still ask for one

Total time to licence is often 2 to 4 months, the fastest of the four countries.

Salary Expectations

Salaries are quoted monthly and are tax-free:

• Staff Nurse: AED 8,000 - 15,000 per month (roughly USD 2,200 - 4,100)
• Senior / Specialist Nurse: AED 15,000 - 25,000 per month
• Nurse Manager: AED 25,000 - 35,000+ per month

Because there is no income tax, the headline figure is close to what you keep. Most employers add:

• Free accommodation or a housing allowance
• Annual return flights to your home country
• Health insurance for you and your dependants
• End-of-service gratuity, paid as a lump sum based on years served

Visa Pathway

The UAE does not offer conventional permanent residency, but the picture has broadened:

• Employment visas are sponsored by your employer and renewed while you remain employed.
• The Golden Visa — a 5 or 10-year renewable residency — is open to some healthcare professionals, and criteria for medical and specialist staff have been widened in recent years. It lets you sponsor your family and stay even between jobs.
• Many nurses treat the UAE as a savings platform: a few tax-free years to clear debt and build a deposit before moving to a country with a settlement pathway.

Comparison at a Glance

The Real Costs to Budget For

Migration is an investment before it is a payoff. Rough per-person estimates, excluding relocation and setup:

• UK: CBT (around GBP 83), OSCE (around GBP 794 if self-funded), IELTS/OET (GBP 150-350), NMC fees (around GBP 300), plus the visa. Many of these are covered or reclaimed by a sponsoring trust.
• Canada: NNAS report (around USD 650), NCLEX-RN (USD 200 plus a Canadian regulator fee), IELTS/CELBAN, provincial registration fees, and Express Entry fees of around CAD 1,525 per adult at the PR stage.
• Australia: AHPRA assessment and OBA fees (the MCQ and OSCE together run to several thousand Australian dollars), IELTS, skills assessment, plus the visa charge, which for the 189 exceeds AUD 4,600.
• UAE: DataFlow (around USD 300), the licensing exam fee, and medical and Emirates ID costs, most of which reputable employers cover.

Timing matters as much as money. Verification from Nigerian and Filipino institutions is the most common cause of delay, so request transcripts and licence verifications the moment you decide.

Choosing the Right Country for You

There is no single best destination, only the best fit for your circumstances:

• If permanent residency is the priority: Canada is hard to beat, with category-based Express Entry draws for healthcare and PR often granted on arrival.
• If savings matter most: the UAE's tax-free pay and employer-provided housing let you bank money quickly, which is why so many use it as a stepping stone.
• If work-life balance and long-term stability appeal: Australia's penalty rates, strong labour protections and lifestyle are compelling, provided you clear the English bar.
• If you want to start soon with strong support: the UK's Health and Care Worker visa and trust-sponsored NMC pipeline are the most turnkey option, with fees frequently covered.

A practical sequencing strategy many nurses use: license and save in the UAE for two or three years, then move to Canada or Australia with a stronger financial cushion and, in Canada's case, the experience points that lift a CRS score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need work experience before I can migrate? For the UK, Canada and Australia you can often qualify as a newly registered nurse, though most employers prefer at least a year of post-registration practice. The UAE is the exception: two years of experience is a hard minimum for licensing in most emirates.

Is NCLEX-RN or the UK's CBT/OSCE harder? They test differently rather than one being universally harder. NCLEX-RN is a single adaptive exam; the UK splits theory (CBT) from practical skills (OSCE). Australia's OBA is closest to the UK model. Choose based on where you want to live, not which exam looks easier.

Can my spouse and children come with me? Yes, in all four countries. The UK, Canada and Australia allow dependants to join and, crucially, spouses can usually work. In the UAE you sponsor your family on your residency visa once your salary meets the threshold.

How long until I can bring my family or gain citizenship? Canada's PR-first routes are fastest to a secure long-term status, with citizenship possible after around three years of residence. The UK grants settlement after five years and citizenship a year later. Australia's timeline depends on your visa but typically runs four years to PR-linked citizenship. The UAE does not offer citizenship in the ordinary sense.

Which country pays the most in real terms? Headline salaries favour Australia and Canada, but the UAE's tax-free pay and free housing can leave you with more disposable income month to month. The right comparison is take-home after tax, rent and the cost of living in the specific city, not the gross figure.

Should I use a recruitment agency? A reputable agency or NHS trust pipeline can genuinely simplify things and cover costs. A dishonest one can cost you thousands and your documents. Verify any recruiter's registration, never pay for a "guaranteed" job, and read how to avoid migration scams first.

Take the Next Step

Migrating as a nurse is one of the most achievable and rewarding international moves available. The demand is real, the pathways are well-mapped, and the financial and personal rewards are substantial. What separates a smooth move from a stalled one is early document verification, honest self-assessment against each country's requirements, and steering clear of bad actors.

If you want a personalised assessment based on your qualifications, experience and goals, NextMigrate can help you identify the best country and pathway, prepare your documents and navigate licensing and visa applications from start to finish.