“Is the UK still recruiting nurses from abroad?” is one of the most common questions from nurses in Nigeria, Ghana, India, Kenya, Zimbabwe and the Philippines. The honest answer in late 2026 is: yes, but far less than before, and competition is much tougher. With this week’s announcement that registered nurses will keep a five-year route to settlement, interest is rising again. Here’s what the numbers say.
The numbers: a sharp fall
- In the six months to 30 September 2025, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) reported 6,321 new international joiners, down 49.6% from 12,534 a year earlier, the lowest six-monthly intake in five years.
- According to analysis of NMC data for the year to 31 March 2026, around 10,961 internationally educated nurses and midwives joined the register for the first time, down about 47% on the previous year. India remained the largest source, followed by Nigeria and Ghana.
- The overall register still reached a record of more than 860,000 professionals, but growth slowed sharply.
Why recruitment has slowed
- NHS finances: many trusts have frozen or reduced hiring, and some newly qualified UK nurses have struggled to find jobs.
- More UK graduates: employers are prioritising domestically trained nurses.
- Government policy: the 10 Year Health Plan published in July 2025 set an ambition to reduce international recruitment to less than 10% of NHS hires by 2035.
- Immigration changes: the care worker visa route closed to new applicants in July 2025, English requirements for many visas rose, and visa fees increased.
- Ethical recruitment rules: countries on the WHO health workforce support and safeguards list, including Nigeria, Ghana and Zimbabwe, are on the UK “red list”. NHS employers and recruitment agencies must not actively recruit from them.
The red list: what it does and doesn’t mean
This is widely misunderstood. Being on the red list means UK employers and agencies should not actively target health workers in those countries, for example through recruitment drives or agency campaigns. It does not ban individual nurses from those countries from applying directly for advertised jobs, passing the NMC process and being employed. Many Nigerian and Ghanaian nurses continue to join the register this way.
Where the jobs are
- Hard-to-fill specialties: mental health, learning disability, theatres, critical care, emergency nursing and some community roles.
- Locations: some areas outside London and the South East, coastal and rural trusts often find recruitment harder.
- Independent sector and care homes: nursing homes still recruit registered nurses, though sponsorship rules apply.
- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own health services and recruitment patterns.
How to give yourself the best chance
- Get registered-ready: pass your English test (IELTS or OET at NMC levels) and the NMC computer-based test (CBT). Some employers only consider applicants who have completed these.
- Build relevant experience: at least one to two years of recent post-registration experience, ideally in an in-demand specialty.
- Apply directly through NHS Jobs, Trac and trust websites, looking for adverts that mention visa sponsorship.
- Write a strong supporting statement matched to the person specification.
- Prepare for interviews with scenario-based answers.
- Avoid scams: legitimate NHS employers don’t charge for jobs or sponsorship. Be suspicious of anyone asking for money for a “guaranteed” job or Certificate of Sponsorship.
The good news this week
On 2 November 2026, the Home Secretary confirmed that registered nurses will keep a five-year route to indefinite leave to remain under the new settlement system, while most other migrants will wait 10 years. That makes the UK more attractive than it would otherwise have been, and keeps it competitive with Ireland, Canada and Australia.
Should you still aim for the UK?
It depends on your goals. The UK offers NHS training, a clear registration process and, now, a five-year settlement route for nurses. But job offers are harder to secure than in 2022 to 2023. Many nurses keep options open by also preparing for the NCLEX (for the US, Canada and Australia), Prometric (for the Gulf) or Ireland’s NMBI process.