How Much Does It Cost for a Nigerian Registered Nurse to Relocate to the United Kingdom? 🇬🇧
Over 14,815 Nigerian nurses and midwives have migrated to the UK since 2017, making Nigeria the third-largest source country for international nurse recruitment after India and the Philippines. This guide breaks down every cost, requirement, and timeline for Nigerian registered nurses seeking to work in the UK's National Health Service. Every figure is verified against official NMC, GOV.UK, and NHS sources as of April 2026.
🏥 Quick Numbers
Total Cost
₦2.9M – ₦5.0M
Starting Salary
£32,073/yr
Band 5 (2026/27)
Nigerians Who Moved
14,815+
since 2017
Source Rank
3rd largest source country
Step-by-Step: Registration & Costs
1NMCN Verification & Good Standing₦84,375
Request verification of your nursing qualification and a Letter of Good Standing from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). You must have at least 2 years post-qualification experience and an active practising licence valid for 6+ more months.
2English Language Test (IELTS or OET)₦279,500–₦299,000 (IELTS) or AUD 587 (OET)
The NMC accepts IELTS Academic or OET. For IELTS, you need: Writing 6.5, Reading 7.0, Listening 7.0, Speaking 7.0, Overall 7.0. Scores from two sittings within 12 months can be combined (minimum floor: 0.5 below required per component). Tests are available in Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Abuja.
3NMC Application & Evaluation£140
Submit your application to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for evaluation. This non-refundable fee covers assessment of your qualifications against UK nursing standards. The NMC will issue a decision letter within 60 days.
4CBT (Computer-Based Test)£83
The CBT tests nursing knowledge in two parts: Part A (numeracy) and Part B (clinical scenarios). You can take this at Pearson VUE test centres in Lagos (Surulere, Lekki, Yaba) or Abuja. You have 2 years from your NMC decision letter to complete both CBT and OSCE.
Test centres: Lagos (Surulere), Lagos (Lekki), Lagos (Yaba), Abuja
5OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination)£794 (full) / £397 (partial resit)
The OSCE is a practical clinical exam taken in the UK only, at one of five NMC-approved test centres. It tests clinical skills across multiple stations. If you fail 7 or fewer stations, you can resit at a reduced fee (£397). Most NHS trusts that sponsor nurses provide OSCE preparation support.
6NMC Registration (PIN)£153 (initial) + £120/year renewal
After passing both CBT and OSCE, pay the registration fee to receive your NMC PIN. This typically takes up to 35 calendar days after passing, though many nurses receive it within 24-48 hours. Your PIN allows you to practise as a registered nurse in the UK.
7Health and Care Worker Visa£324 (up to 3 years) / £628 (3+ years)
Apply for the Health and Care Worker visa once you have a job offer from an NHS trust with a Certificate of Sponsorship. Fees increased on 8 April 2026. Health and care workers are EXEMPT from the Immigration Health Surcharge (normally £1,035/year), saving you thousands over the visa duration.
Other Costs to Budget For
Apply via POSSAP portal. Actual costs may vary by location.
Official source ↗Available at IOM clinics in Lagos, Abuja, and Benin City. Private clinics charge ₦120,000+.
Official source ↗Economy class average. March is cheapest month.
Official source ↗Good News: Employer Sponsorship
Many NHS trusts sponsor international nurses and cover significant costs including visa fees, flights, initial accommodation (4-6 weeks), and OSCE preparation. However, Nigeria is on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List, meaning NHS trusts cannot actively recruit from Nigeria. You must apply independently, but once hired, trusts can still sponsor your visa and provide support packages.
What employers typically cover:
- Certificate of Sponsorship (required for visa)
- Visa application fees
- Flight to UK and airport transfer
- Accommodation for first 4-6 weeks
- OSCE preparation courses and support
What You'll Earn: Band 5 (2026/27)
Entry
£32,073
per year
After 2 Years
£34,592
per year
Top of Band
£39,043
per year
Minimum 2 years between each pay point. Overseas nurses typically start at Band 5 entry point. Source ↗
Important Things to Know
- Nigeria is on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List — NHS trusts cannot actively recruit from Nigeria. You must apply independently.
- International recruitment to the UK NMC register fell 30.2% year-over-year (20,671 joiners in year to March 2025). Competition is decreasing.
- The NMC annual retention fee may increase from £120 to £143 in October 2026 (consultation closed January 2026, decision pending).
- You have 2 years from your NMC decision letter to complete both CBT and OSCE.
- Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge — this saves £1,035/year.
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Start Free CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost for a Nigerian nurse to relocate to the UK in 2026?
The total NMC registration costs are approximately £1,170 (evaluation £140 + CBT £83 + OSCE £794 + registration £153). Add the Health & Care Worker visa (£324), IELTS (₦299,000), NMCN verification (₦84,375), TB test ($94), police clearance (₦40,000), and a one-way flight ($600). Total out-of-pocket is roughly ₦4.7M–₦5M. Many NHS trusts cover visa, flight, and accommodation costs through sponsorship packages.
How long does it take for a Nigerian nurse to get registered in the UK?
The typical timeline is 6-12 months from first NMC application to receiving your PIN. The NMCN verification from Nigeria alone takes a minimum of 6 months, so start that first. After your NMC decision letter, you have 2 years to complete the CBT and OSCE.
Can NHS trusts recruit Nigerian nurses directly?
Not directly. Nigeria is on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List, which means NHS trusts cannot actively recruit from Nigeria. However, Nigerian nurses can apply independently, and once an NHS trust agrees to hire you, they can sponsor your visa and provide a full support package including flights, accommodation, and OSCE preparation.
What IELTS score does a Nigerian nurse need for UK NMC registration?
You need IELTS Academic with: Writing 6.5, Reading 7.0, Listening 7.0, Speaking 7.0, Overall 7.0. The NMC also accepts OET as an alternative. You can combine scores from two test sittings within 12 months, as long as no component falls more than 0.5 below the required score.
What salary can a Nigerian nurse expect in the UK?
Overseas nurses typically start at NHS Band 5, which pays £32,073/year (2026/27 rates). This progresses to £34,592 after 2 years and £39,043 at the top of Band 5. London-based roles receive additional High Cost Area supplements.
Do I need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as a nurse?
No. Health and Care Worker visa holders and their dependants are fully exempt from the IHS. This saves you £1,035 per year compared to standard work visa holders, potentially saving £3,105+ over a 3-year visa.
Sources & Verification
Every figure on this page was independently verified on 2026-04-09. We do not use AI training data for any costs, fees, or policy claims.
Verification Notes
NMCN fees sourced from multiple secondary references — NMCN official PDF could not be directly accessed. Figures consistent across 3+ independent sources.
OET fee (AUD 587) confirmed from multiple sources but OET official site returned 403 error during verification.
Visa fees updated to reflect 8 April 2026 increase (6.5% across all categories).
Written by Max Ayobami
Founder of Japa Calculator, Nigeria's first data-driven relocation decision tool. Every cost figure and expert tip on this page is independently researched and verified against official government and regulatory body sources.