Official
Register as a nurse if you trained outside the UK (opens in a new tab)
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Why it helps: The official start page for overseas nurses, with every step to join the UK register.
nmc.org.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026
United Kingdom: official links for nurses
Registration, exams, visas, settling in, housing, work rights, family, money and help in United Kingdom. Government and regulator sites first.
30 links
Registration and licensing 3
- Official
What NMC registration costs (opens in a new tab)
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Why it helps: See every fee before you start, so you can plan your budget.
nmc.org.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official
Accepted English tests and scores (opens in a new tab)
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Why it helps: The exact IELTS and OET scores you need for UK registration.
nmc.org.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026
Exams and scheduling 5
- Official
Test of Competence: CBT and OSCE (opens in a new tab)
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Why it helps: Explains the two-part test every overseas nurse must pass, with pass rates.
nmc.org.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official exam provider
Book your CBT (Part 1) (opens in a new tab)
Pearson VUE, the NMC test partner
Why it helps: Book a computer-based test date at a centre in your own country.
home.pearsonvue.comChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official
OSCE (Part 2) and the UK test centres (opens in a new tab)
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Why it helps: The practical exam you take in the UK, with the list of approved test centres.
nmc.org.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official exam provider
Book an IELTS test (opens in a new tab)
IELTS (official test owners)
Why it helps: Find a test date and a centre near you on the official IELTS site.
ielts.orgChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official exam provider
Book an OET test (opens in a new tab)
OET (official test owner)
Why it helps: Book the healthcare English test that many nursing regulators accept.
oet.comChecked 31 Oct 2026
Visas and immigration 4
- Official
Health and Care Worker visa (opens in a new tab)
UK Visas and Immigration (GOV.UK)
Why it helps: The visa for nurses with a UK job offer: rules, documents and how to apply.
gov.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official
Visa fee and health surcharge (opens in a new tab)
UK Visas and Immigration (GOV.UK)
Why it helps: Shows the visa fee for your stay and when you do not pay the health surcharge.
gov.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official
Visa processing times (opens in a new tab)
UK Visas and Immigration (GOV.UK)
Why it helps: How long a decision usually takes when you apply from outside the UK.
gov.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official
Check your employer is a licensed sponsor (opens in a new tab)
Home Office (GOV.UK)
Why it helps: Only a licensed sponsor can give you this visa. Check the name before you sign.
gov.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026
Arriving and settling 5
- Official
Your eVisa (opens in a new tab)
UK Visas and Immigration (GOV.UK)
Why it helps: Your status is online, not on a card. Learn how to get, check and share it.
gov.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official
Get a National Insurance number (opens in a new tab)
HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK)
Why it helps: You need this number to work and pay tax. See if you must apply.
gov.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official
Register with a GP surgery (opens in a new tab)
NHS
Why it helps: Sign up with a local doctor soon after you arrive. It is free.
nhs.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official
Exchange a non-UK driving licence (opens in a new tab)
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (GOV.UK)
Why it helps: Check if you can swap your licence for a UK one, and the time limits.
gov.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official
Basic bank accounts (opens in a new tab)
MoneyHelper (backed by the UK Government)
Why it helps: How to open a simple bank account when you are new to the UK.
moneyhelper.org.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026
Housing 2
- Official
Private renting: your rights (opens in a new tab)
GOV.UK
Why it helps: The official guide for tenants on tenancy types, rent, repairs and notices.
gov.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official
Tenancy deposit protection (opens in a new tab)
GOV.UK
Why it helps: Your landlord must protect your deposit. Learn how to check and get it back.
gov.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026
Work rights and safety 4
- Official
Code of practice for international recruitment (opens in a new tab)
Department of Health and Social Care (GOV.UK)
Why it helps: UK rules that stop employers and agencies charging nurses recruitment fees.
gov.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official
Acas: free advice on your work rights (opens in a new tab)
Acas
Why it helps: Free, impartial help on pay, hours, contracts and problems at work.
acas.org.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Nursing body or union
Royal College of Nursing (opens in a new tab)
Royal College of Nursing (union and professional body)
Why it helps: The UK nursing union: advice, legal help and support for members.
rcn.org.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - International organisation
WHO Global Code on recruiting health workers (opens in a new tab)
World Health Organization
Why it helps: The world rules for fair, ethical recruitment of nurses. Use it if an agency asks you for fees.
who.intChecked 31 Oct 2026
Family 2
- Official
Apply for a school place (opens in a new tab)
Department for Education (GOV.UK)
Why it helps: How to choose and apply for a school place for your children.
gov.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official
Help paying for childcare (opens in a new tab)
GOV.UK
Why it helps: Official schemes that cut childcare costs for working parents.
gov.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026
Money 2
- Official
Income Tax rates and allowances (opens in a new tab)
HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK)
Why it helps: See how much tax comes out of your pay.
gov.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official
Inflation and prices (opens in a new tab)
Office for National Statistics
Why it helps: Official data on how fast prices are rising in the UK.
ons.gov.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026
Help and emergencies 3
- Official
When to call 999 (opens in a new tab)
NHS
Why it helps: 999 is for life-threatening emergencies. Learn when to call 999 or 111.
nhs.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Official
Urgent help for mental health (opens in a new tab)
NHS
Why it helps: Where to get help fast if you or someone else is in crisis.
nhs.ukChecked 31 Oct 2026 - Not a government site
Samaritans: call 116 123 (opens in a new tab)
Samaritans (charity)
Why it helps: Free listening support by phone, day or night, in the UK and Ireland.
samaritans.orgChecked 31 Oct 2026
Find your own embassy
Your embassy or consulate can help if you lose your passport or need urgent help. These links come from your own government.
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