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

The global nursing shortage is one of the most significant workforce challenges of our time. The World Health Organization estimates a shortfall of 5.9 million nurses worldwide, and wealthy nations are actively recruiting internationally trained nurses to fill gaps in their healthcare systems. For nurses from Nigeria and the Philippines — two of the largest nursing talent pools in the world — this creates real, life-changing opportunities.

If you are a registered nurse considering migration, this guide covers the four best destination countries in 2025: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. We compare licensing requirements, salary expectations, visa pathways, and what daily life looks like for migrant nurses in each country.

United Kingdom (NHS and Private Sector)

The UK's National Health Service (NHS) is one of the world's largest employers, and nursing is consistently on the UK's Shortage Occupation List. This makes the immigration process significantly easier for qualified nurses.

Licensing Requirements

To work as a nurse in the UK, you must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The process includes:

• CBT (Computer-Based Test) — a multiple-choice exam covering nursing competencies. Can be taken in your home country at Pearson VUE centres.
• OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) — a practical clinical exam taken in the UK. You must demonstrate nursing skills in simulated scenarios.
• English language test — IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 7.0 (with at least 6.5 in writing and 7.0 in reading, listening, and speaking), or equivalent OET score of B in all four components.

The full NMC registration process typically takes 3-6 months if you prepare well. Many NHS trusts offer support programmes that cover OSCE preparation and accommodation upon arrival.

Salary Expectations

• Band 5 (newly qualified/newly arrived): GBP 29,970 - 36,483 per year
• Band 6 (experienced/specialist): GBP 37,338 - 44,962 per year
• Band 7 (senior/advanced): GBP 46,148 - 52,809 per year

London and the South East pay a High-Cost Area Supplement of up to GBP 2,162 extra per year. Night shifts and weekend work attract additional payments.

Visa Pathway

Nurses enter the UK on the Health and Care Worker Visa, a subcategory of the Skilled Worker Visa. Key benefits include:

• Reduced visa fees compared to the standard Skilled Worker Visa
• No Immigration Health Surcharge — saving thousands of pounds
• Pathway to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after 5 years
• Dependants (spouse and children) can join you on this visa

Canada

Canada has an enormous and growing demand for nurses, particularly in provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and the Atlantic provinces. The country offers multiple immigration pathways, and nursing is one of the most advantageous professions for migration.

Licensing Requirements

Nursing regulation in Canada is provincial, but the general process involves:

• NNAS (National Nursing Assessment Service) assessment — your credentials are evaluated against Canadian standards
• Provincial regulatory body registration — after NNAS, you apply to the regulatory college in the province where you want to work (e.g., CNO in Ontario, BCCNM in British Columbia)
• NCLEX-RN exam — the same licensing exam used in the United States, now required in most Canadian provinces
• English or French language test — IELTS or CELBAN for English-speaking provinces, TEF for Quebec

The entire process can take 6-12 months, so starting early is essential.

Salary Expectations

• Registered Nurse (entry level): CAD 65,000 - 80,000 per year
• Experienced RN: CAD 80,000 - 100,000 per year
• Nurse Practitioner: CAD 100,000 - 120,000+ per year

Overtime, shift differentials, and northern/rural premiums can significantly increase your earnings. Provinces like Alberta and British Columbia tend to offer the highest base salaries.

Visa Pathway

The most common immigration routes for nurses include:

• Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker Program) — nurses score well in the Comprehensive Ranking System due to high-demand occupation status
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) — many provinces have specific healthcare worker streams. Ontario's Human Capital Priorities stream and Alberta's Accelerated Tech Pathway (which now includes healthcare) are popular options.
• Atlantic Immigration Program — New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland have streamlined pathways for healthcare workers
• Most pathways lead to permanent residency from day one or within 1-2 years

Australia

Australia has a robust healthcare system and a strong tradition of welcoming international nurses. The country offers excellent working conditions, competitive pay, and a clear pathway to permanent residency.

Licensing Requirements

To practise nursing in Australia, you must register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) through the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). The process involves:

• Skills assessment through the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
• English language test — IELTS Academic with a minimum of 7.0 in each band (the strictest English requirement among the four countries), or equivalent OET, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT scores
• Bridging programme — some nurses may need to complete an Outcomes-Based Assessment (OBA) programme, which includes supervised clinical hours in Australia
• National Police Check and Working with Children Check

The English requirement is the biggest hurdle for many nurses. Plan to invest significant time in preparation if your scores are not yet at the required level.

Salary Expectations

• Registered Nurse (Level 1): AUD 70,000 - 85,000 per year
• Experienced RN (Level 2): AUD 85,000 - 100,000 per year
• Clinical Nurse Specialist: AUD 100,000 - 115,000 per year
• Nurse Practitioner: AUD 120,000+ per year

Penalty rates for weekends, public holidays, and night shifts in Australia are among the most generous in the world, often adding 25-75% to your base rate.

Visa Pathway

• Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa) — employer-sponsored, allows you to work for up to 4 years and transition to permanent residency
• Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) — for regional areas, with a pathway to permanent residency after 3 years
• Subclass 189/190 (Skilled Independent/Nominated) — points-based permanent residency visas. Nursing is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), so you can apply directly for PR
• Regional areas offer bonus points and faster processing — worth considering if you are flexible about location

United Arab Emirates

The UAE offers a very different proposition: high tax-free salaries, modern healthcare facilities, and a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Dubai and Abu Dhabi in particular have invested heavily in world-class hospitals and clinics, creating strong demand for experienced nurses.

Licensing Requirements

The UAE has two main licensing bodies:

• DHA (Dubai Health Authority) — for Dubai
• DOH (Department of Health) — for Abu Dhabi
• MOH (Ministry of Health) — for other emirates

The licensing process generally requires:

• Minimum 2 years of post-qualification nursing experience
• Dataflow verification — a third-party verification of your credentials (takes 4-8 weeks)
• Licensing exam — a Prometric-style computer-based exam specific to the authority you are applying under
• English is the working language, but no formal English test is typically required if your nursing education was in English

Salary Expectations

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

Many UAE employers also provide:

• Free accommodation or a housing allowance
• Annual return flights to your home country
• Health insurance for you and your dependants
• End-of-service gratuity payment

Visa Pathway

The UAE does not offer permanent residency in the traditional sense, but:

• Employment visas are tied to your employer and renewed as long as you are employed
• The Golden Visa (5 or 10-year renewable residency) is available for highly skilled professionals, including some healthcare workers
• Many nurses use the UAE as a stepping stone, saving significant money tax-free before moving to a country with a permanent residency pathway

Comparison at a Glance

Factor	UK	Canada	Australia	UAE
English Requirement	IELTS 7.0 / OET B	IELTS 6.0-7.0	IELTS 7.0 each band	Usually none
Time to License	3-6 months	6-12 months	6-12 months	2-4 months
Starting Salary	GBP 30,000	CAD 65,000	AUD 70,000	AED 10,000/mo tax-free
Permanent Residency	After 5 years	Often immediate	2-4 years	Limited
Family Can Join	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Choosing the Right Country for You

The best destination depends on your priorities:

• If permanent residency is your priority: Canada offers the fastest route to PR, often granting it on arrival through Express Entry
• If salary and savings matter most: The UAE's tax-free income and employer-provided housing allow for maximum savings
• If work-life balance is important: Australia's generous penalty rates, strong labour protections, and outdoor lifestyle are hard to beat
• If you want to start quickly: The UK's Health and Care Worker Visa and NMC process are well-established and relatively fast

Take the Next Step

Migrating as a nurse is one of the most achievable and rewarding international moves you can make. The demand is real, the pathways are clear, and the rewards are significant. If you want a personalised assessment of your options based on your qualifications, experience, and goals, NextMigrate can help you identify the best country and pathway, prepare your documents, and guide you through licensing and visa applications.