<p>The UK is a great country to build your career in nursing. Despite the abundance of nursing jobs in the UK, there are minimum requirements you need to meet. Here are some ways to get a nursing job in the UK.</p>
<h2>1. Obtain the Health and Care Worker Visa</h2>
<p>Nurses looking for job opportunities in the UK can apply for the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa">Health and Care Worker visa</a>. This visa allows you to nurse in the UK for up to 5 years. As a nurse, you may be eligible for this visa if you meet the following requirements. </p>
<p><strong>You must:</strong></p>
<ul><li>be a qualified nurse, health professional, adult social care professional, or doctor</li><li>work in an eligible social or health care job</li><li>have a valid offer for an <a href="https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/your-job">eligible occupation</a> from a UK employer (licensed sponsors by the Home Office)</li><li>hold a valid certificate of sponsorship detailing your job offer issued by your employer </li><li>be paid a minimum salary</li></ul>
<p></p>
<p>You can apply for the Health and Care Worker visa online 3 months before you are due to work abroad as a nurse in the UK. During the application, you must verify your identity and provide the required documents. </p>
<p>You will receive a decision on your visa within 3 weeks of your application. Once you get the visa, you can work an eligible job, take additional work, volunteer, study, and apply for permanent residency in the UK (if you meet additional eligibility requirements).</p>
<p>Find out more about the Health and Care Worker visa <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/apply-uk-health-care-worker-visa">here</a>.</p>
<h2>2. Points-based Immigration</h2>
<p>On January 1st 2021, the UK introduced a new points-based system to replace free movement of labor into the UK.</p>
<p>Through this points-based system, skilled nurses who can contribute to the British economy are given higher priority to immigrate and work in the country. </p>
<p>If you do not meet the minimum salary requirements for the <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/apply-uk-health-care-worker-visa">Health and Care Worker</a> visa program, you can still work abroad in the UK through the points-based system. However, this exemption only lasts for up to 8 months from when you begin work in the UK. These 8 months give you sufficient time to apply and successfully register with the <a href="https://www.nmc.org.uk/">Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)</a>.</p>
<p>To qualify for the visa, you must obtain 70 points. You earn 50 points by having a required skill level job offer from an approved employer and a good command of English (<a href="https://specialistlanguagecourses.com/trueprofileio-nursing/">IELTS / OET</a>). Earn the remaining 20 points if your new job offers to pay a minimum of £25,600 or £20,480 a year, depending on the nursing job. If you do not meet these points, you can qualify by meeting other criteria outlined on the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-points-based-immigration-system-employer-information/the-uks-points-based-immigration-system-an-introduction-for-employers">UK Government’s website</a>. </p>
<p>As with the Health and Care Worker Visa, you <a href="https://apply-to-visit-or-stay-in-the-uk.homeoffice.gov.uk/sort/live-in-crown-dependency/skilled_worker_out_uk?uid=5db2a96a-70cb-48fa-b4fd-aaf67bff6dfa&cookiesPreferencesURL=https%3A%2F%2Fapply-to-visit-or-stay-in-the-uk.homeoffice.gov.uk%2Fdashboard%2Fcookies&cookiesPolicyDomain=apply-to-visit-or-stay-in-the-uk.homeoffice.gov.uk&showBanner=true">complete the application online</a>. You will be required to verify your <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/mytrueprofile-digital-cv-highlights-identity">identity</a> and documents, so we recommend you <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/why-you-should-verify-your-documents-now">verify your documents</a> earlier. </p>
<p>If you obtain a visa through the points-based system, you will be exempt from paying the immigration health surcharge. </p>
<h2>3. Prepare four Your Job Search</h2>
<p>You need to secure an eligible nursing job to work in the UK through the Health and Care Worker visa or points-based system. We recommend that you prepare for your UK job search in advance. But <strong>“What do I need to prepare for my job search?” </strong>you may ask. Before applying, check what documents regulators and authorities require from international nursing applicants. </p>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/what-is-a-trueproof">Verify your important credentials</a> in advance so that once an overseas employer requests them, you can share them instantly.</li><li><a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/build-a-digital-resume">Build and update your Digital CV</a> to reflect your achievements, experience, skills and goals. </li><li>Make your Digital CV searchable by trusted international employers and recruiters in your <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/update-your-contact-settings-and-unlock-career-opportunities">Profile Visibility settings</a> so that they can contact you with opportunities. </li></ul>
<p></p>
<h2>4. Apply for a Nursing Job in the UK</h2>
<p>Only apply for nursing job opportunities by looking for international jobs on trusted websites such as:</p>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/jobs">TrueProfile.io Jobs</a>: The latest healthcare vacancies in the UK and overseas</li><li>The NHS website</li><li><a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/how-to-share-your-trueproof-to-your-linkedin-profile">LinkedIn</a> (showcase your verified credentials to your profile to strengthen your application)</li></ul>
<p></p>
<p>If you have a job offer from an approved UK employer (sponsor), they will give you a certificate of sponsorship. This is important to prove that you have a job offer when applying for your working visa. </p>
<h2>Want to nurse in the UK?</h2>
<p>Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work abroad as a nurse in the UK and transform your career. The country has many international jobs open to international healthcare professionals as long as they meet the educational and immigration requirements. Most nurses work in the UK through the points-based system or the Health and Care Worker visa system. Evaluate your visa options to decide which one you are eligible for. </p>
<h4>Ready to find a nursing job in the UK?</h4>
<div class="is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons">
<div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background" href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/jobs/job-search-results?title=nurse&country=United+Kingdom" style="border-radius:50px;background-color:#00497a;color:#f5f5f5">Browse UK nursing jobs</a></div>
</div>