By Vreporters News Desk
The global shortage of healthcare workers has continued into 2026, prompting several countries to recruit qualified nurses from overseas. While some governments have tightened immigration rules for lower-skilled occupations, registered nurses remain on many national shortage occupation lists, making them eligible for skilled work visas and employer-sponsored migration routes.
Below are 15 countries actively offering immigration pathways for qualified nursing graduates.
- Canada
- Visa: Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Requirements: Nursing degree, nursing licence, language test (IELTS/CELPIP), credential assessment
- Average annual salary: CAD 70,000–110,000
- Official portal: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html
- United Kingdom
- Visa: Health and Care Worker Visa
- Requirements: Job offer from an approved sponsor, Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration, English proficiency
- Average annual salary: £30,000–£45,000
- Official portal: https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa
- Australia
- Visa: Skilled Independent (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (190), Skills in Demand/Employer-sponsored routes
- Requirements: AHPRA registration, English language test, skills assessment
- Average annual salary: AUD 75,000–120,000
- Official portal: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- New Zealand
- Visa: Accredited Employer Work Visa
- Average salary: NZD 75,000–110,000
- Official portal: https://www.immigration.govt.nz
- Ireland
- Visa: Critical Skills Employment Permit
- Average salary: €38,000–65,000
- Official portal: https://enterprise.gov.ie
- Germany
- Visa: Skilled Worker Visa
- Requirements: German language proficiency is usually required.
- Average salary: €38,000–55,000
- Official portal: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com
- United States
- Visa: EB-3 Immigrant Visa for Registered Nurses
- Requirements: NCLEX-RN, VisaScreen Certificate, employer sponsorship
- Average salary: US$75,000–120,000
- Official portal: https://www.uscis.gov
- Norway
- Visa: Skilled Worker Residence Permit
- Average salary: NOK 550,000–700,000
- Official portal: https://www.udi.no
- Finland
- Visa: Residence Permit for Employed Persons
- Official portal: https://enterfinland.fi
- Denmark
- Visa: Positive List Scheme
- Official portal: https://www.nyidanmark.dk
- Sweden
- Visa: Work Permit
- Official portal: https://www.migrationsverket.se
- Switzerland
- Visa: Employer-sponsored Work Permit
- Official portal: https://www.sem.admin.ch
- United Arab Emirates
- Visa: Employment Visa
- Popular employers: DHA, SEHA, Mediclinic and other public and private hospitals
- Official portal: https://u.ae
- Saudi Arabia
- Visa: Work Visa
- Average salary: SAR 6,000–15,000 monthly
- Official portal: https://visa.mofa.gov.sa
- Qatar
- Visa: Work Residence Permit
- Official portal: https://hukoomi.gov.qa
General Requirements
Applicants are typically expected to have:
- A Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent)
- A valid nursing licence
- IELTS or OET (or another accepted language test)
- Police clearance certificate
- Medical fitness certificate
- Credential evaluation or professional registration
- A job offer where required
Important Update for 2026
Although the UK continues to offer the Health and Care Worker Visa, the number of visas issued to overseas nursing professionals has declined significantly following changes to international recruitment policies. Prospective applicants should verify current eligibility requirements before applying.
Nursing remains one of the world’s most in-demand professions, with countries including Canada, Australia, Ireland, Germany, New Zealand and the United States continuing to recruit internationally trained nurses to address healthcare workforce shortages. Applicants are advised to apply only through official government immigration portals and licensed healthcare employers.