Occupation Guide
Migrate as a Midwife
Midwifery is one of the most in-demand health professions worldwide, driven by ageing workforces, rising birth-cohort complexity and a global shortage the WHO estimates at close to 900,000 midwives. For internationally trained midwives, migration usually hinges on getting your qualification recognised by the destination country's professional regulator, proving English or the local language, and securing registration before you can practise. This guide covers the four countries that most actively recruit foreign-trained midwives, the specific visa routes and registration bodies involved, realistic take-home salaries, and the credential checks you should start early because they are the slowest part of the process.
Global Demand for Midwives
Very high. The WHO and ICM report a worldwide shortfall of roughly 900,000 midwives, and midwifery appears on the shortage or eligible-occupation lists of Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada and much of Northern Europe. High-income countries with low birth rates still face acute shortages because a large share of their existing midwifery workforce is nearing retirement, and demand for continuity-of-carer and one-to-one intrapartum care continues to outstrip supply. Registration and language requirements are the main gatekeepers rather than a lack of vacancies.
Best Countries for Midwives
Top destinations with proven visa pathways and strong demand for international midwives.
United Kingdom
Health and Care Worker visa (Skilled Worker route)
£31,000-£45,000 (Band 5-6 NHS Agenda for Change)
Midwifery is on the UK immigration salary/shortage lists and the NHS is one of the largest single employers of midwives in the world. The Health and Care Worker visa carries reduced visa fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. Registration is through the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and many NHS trusts sponsor overseas midwives directly, sometimes covering OSCE and relocation costs.
Australia
Skilled Nominated (190) / Skilled Work Regional (491) / Employer Sponsored (482 SID)
AU$75,000-AU$110,000
Midwife (ANZSCO 254111) is on Australia's Core Skills Occupation List, opening both state-nominated points-based visas and employer-sponsored routes. Salaries are strong, and public health services in regional areas offer relocation incentives. Registration is with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (AHPRA), and applicants complete a skills assessment through ANMAC.
New Zealand
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) with Green List Straight to Residence
NZ$75,000-NZ$100,000
Midwives are on New Zealand's Green List Tier 1, meaning eligible applicants can apply for residence straight away rather than working for years first. The Midwifery Council of New Zealand registers overseas midwives, and both hospital-employed and self-employed Lead Maternity Carer models are available, giving flexibility and autonomy that appeals to experienced practitioners.
Ireland
Critical Skills Employment Permit / General Employment Permit
€38,000-€58,000
Midwifery is an eligible occupation for Irish employment permits, and the Critical Skills route offers a fast path to long-term residence and family reunification. Registration is with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Ireland actively recruits overseas midwives into the HSE, and English-language qualifications from many countries are accepted, easing entry for candidates already trained in English.
General Requirements
A recognised midwifery qualification (degree or equivalent diploma) that maps to the destination country's standard of practice; direct-entry and nurse-then-midwife pathways are both accepted but assessed differently.
Registration with the national regulator before practising — for example the NMC (UK), AHPRA/Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, Midwifery Council of New Zealand, or NMBI (Ireland).
Proof of English (IELTS Academic, OET, or an accepted equivalent) or the relevant local language for non-English destinations; most regulators require around IELTS 7.0 or OET B.
A credential/skills assessment or qualification-comparability check, often taking three to six months, so it should be started early.
Evidence of recent clinical practice (commonly a minimum number of hours or a period within the last few years) and continuing professional development.
A clean criminal-record/police clearance and satisfactory occupational health and immunisation checks.
Key Certifications & Assessments
Registration with the destination-country midwifery regulator (NMC, AHPRA, Midwifery Council of New Zealand, or NMBI) — the core legal requirement to practise.
English-language certification: IELTS Academic (typically 7.0 overall) or OET (typically grade B), unless exempt by prior English-medium training or practice.
Skills/qualification assessment: ANMAC assessment for Australia, or the NMC/NMBI/Council application review including a Test of Competence or OSCE where required.
Basic and neonatal life support certification (e.g. NLS/NRP and adult BLS), often required or expected by employers on commencement.
Current CPD/revalidation record demonstrating ongoing competence, required for maintaining registration in most jurisdictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a midwife abroad if I trained as a nurse-midwife?
Often yes, but it depends on the destination. Some countries register midwifery as a distinct profession (like the UK and Australia) and will assess your midwifery training on its own merits, while others expect combined nursing-and-midwifery credentials. If your qualification was a post-nursing midwifery certificate rather than a full midwifery programme, the regulator may require additional evidence of clinical hours or a period of supervised practice or adaptation.
How long does registration take before I can start practising?
Plan for six to twelve months from starting your application to being registered and cleared to work. The slowest steps are usually the qualification/credential assessment, gathering verified academic and employment references from your training institution, and sitting any required competence test or OSCE. Language testing and police clearances can run in parallel. Securing a sponsoring employer early can speed things up, as many will guide you through the process and fund parts of it.
Do I need to pass an OSCE or clinical exam?
In several countries, yes. The UK NMC requires overseas midwives to pass a computer-based Test of Competence and an OSCE at an approved test centre. Australia may require a bridging or supervised-practice programme depending on your ANMAC outcome. New Zealand and Ireland assess each application individually and may direct you to a competence assessment or period of supervised practice rather than a single exam. Check your specific regulator's overseas-applicant pathway before booking anything.
Which route gives the fastest path to permanent residence?
New Zealand is often the quickest because midwives sit on the Green List Tier 1, allowing a Straight to Residence application. Australia's state-nominated skilled visas (subclass 190) also lead to permanent residence directly. In the UK the Health and Care Worker visa leads to settlement after five years, and Ireland's Critical Skills Employment Permit opens a path to long-term residence and family reunification relatively quickly. Your best route depends on your age, experience and whether you have an employer lined up.
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and rules change often. Always confirm the current requirements on the official government website for your destination. How we research & source our guides.
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