There is an ongoing need for qualified nurses in all of the countries for which we provide visa and immigration advice. If you are a nurse and looking to relocate to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, you may be eligible for one of the following visas for nurses and other skilled healthcare workers.
Nurse Visa Options for Australia
Registered Nurses are on the Medium-Term Skilled Occupation List, giving nurses from outside Australia the opportunity to live and work in the country on a number of work visas.
The Temporary Skills Shortage (Subclass 482) Visa can be valid from between one and four years, and offers a pathway to Australian permanent residence after just three years. Applicants must have a job offer from a sponsor employer and should expect to pay application fees of at least AUD 2,690.
Regional Employer Sponsored (Subclass 494) Visas are issued for five years and also offer the possibility to apply for permanent residence in Australia after three years. However, the applicant’s job offer must be in a ‘regional’ area of Australia outside of the highest population cities. Most areas of Australia outside of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are classified as ‘regional’ by Australian authorities. Fees for a subclass 494 visa start from AUD 4,115.
The Employer Nominated (Subclass 186) Visa gives nurses with at least three years’ work experience the possibility of acquiring an Australian permanent residence visa provided that they will work for their sponsoring employer for at least two years and meet the qualification and English language requirements. Applicants should expect to pay application fees of at least AUD 4,115.
Nurse Visa Options for Canada
Canadian government projections expect there to be at least 1,500 vacancies for ‘licensed practical nurses’ (LPNs) in the coming years, even taking into account expected levels of immigration.
In 2023, the fast-track Express Entry system was opened up to LPNs who have a formal qualification and a job offer in Canada. Typically, nurses will find the Federal Skilled Worker Program to be the optimal pathway should they choose to express an interest in this highly competitive, points-based draw system. The cost of applying to Express Entry starts from CAD 1,365.
Alternatively, nurses may want to take advantage of one of Canada’s regional visa pathways, known as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). The application process varies by province, but applying for a visa in this way usually requires either lodging an application directly with the relevant province. Most Canadian provinces offer PNPs.
For nurses wishing to work in Quebec, they may wish to consider applying for the province’s separate Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program. Interested nurses submit an expression of interest, and will be invited to submit a formal application if they score sufficiently on Quebec’s own points-based system. Application fees start from CAD 822.
Nurse Visa Options for New Zealand
Nurses looking to relocate to New Zealand will typically find the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa to be their best option. With a job offer from an accredited employer in New Zealand, nurses who are aged under 55, speak English and score at least six in New Zealand’s visa points test can submit an expression of interest before having to make a full application and pay any associated fees. This visa is
An alternative option is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Applicants for this temporary work visa must have a job offer for at least 30 hours per week from an accredited employer in New Zealand and should expect to pay NZD 750 to apply, though some nationalities are exempt from work visa application fees.
Nurses applying for New Zealand work visas should ensure that they are registered or have proof of eligibility for registration from the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
Nurse Visa Options for the United Kingdom
The Health and Care Worker Visa was set up specifically to aid recruitment into the National Health Service (NHS), the UK’s public healthcare system. It permits qualified nurses (and other health and adult social care professionals) with a job offer from an NHS or NHS-linked employer to live and work in the UK. This visa is typically issued for a period of between three and five years.
Applicants may need to prove that they speak English to at least B1 level on the CEFR scale, and that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and any dependants when they initially arrive in the UK. The Home Office has indicated that changes to the minimum income level for UK work visas in 2024 should not affect Health and Care Worker Visa applicants.
Nurses who plan to take up work in the private healthcare sector may consider the Skilled Worker Visa to be a better fit for their specific circumstances, though they should take careful note of the current minimum income requirement to qualify for this visa. Applicants for this visa must also demonstrate that they have a job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor, that they speak and understand English to at least B1 on the CEFR scale..
Skilled Worker Visas are issued for an initial period of up to five years and may be extended as many times as needed providing the holder still meets the visa’s eligibilty requirements. Depending on your specific circumstances, an application for a Skilled Worker Visa will cost between £719 and £1500. Successful applicants will also need to pay the UK’s healthcare surcharge, which is usually around £624 per year that the visa will be valid.
Nurse Visa Options for the United States
Nurses looking to move to and take up employment in the USA will typically consider one of two visas: the H-1B and the EB-3.
The EB-3 Visa is a broad-scope work visa for skilled workers, unskilled workers, and degree-holding professionals. Qualified and experienced nurses may therefore be eligible for this visa regardless of whether they have a degree-level qualification. Applicants must demonstrate that they have a permanent offer of employment from a US employer in a role that requires them to have at least two years of experience or training. While waiting times for EB-3 visas are usually long, it does confer permanent residency (Green Card) upon successful applicants.
For nurses who hold a bachelors-level degree in their field, the H1-B may be a viable alternative, providing that they have a job offer from a US employer. However, awards of H1-B visas are capped at 65,000 per year and there is a small annual application window in April each year. If awarded, a H1-B visa is only issued for three years, though it can be extended to six years and can act as a pathway to permanent residence.
Tailored visa advice for medical professionals
VisaEnvoy is a truly international migration firm, with a long track record of working with both companies and private individuals to understand their personal circumstances and visa needs, and helping them get the right visa for them as quickly and hassle-free as possible.
We understand that the key to a successful visa application is understanding both our clients and the immigration systems with which we work. A critical part of that work is keeping on top of the frequent changes to the immigration systems and visa categories of the countries in which we operate.
Our friendly, professional team of migration agents and immigration solicitors work with trusted partners in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, as well as in Canada and the United States.
If you would like to know more about VisaEnvoy, our agents or the services we offer, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Alternatively, you can book an appointment with a member of our team to discuss the needs of you or your company.