Filipino nurses have worked in UK hospitals and care homes for decades, and the Philippines has a government-to-government agreement with the UK on health worker recruitment. That agreement is listed in the UK's Code of Practice for international recruitment (GOV.UK Code of Practice).
The UK side of the process is the same for every internationally trained nurse: the NMC, an English test, the Test of Competence and a sponsored visa. The Philippine side adds PRC documents and DMW deployment rules. This guide covers both, in order. Every fee below was checked on 31 Oct 2026, with a link to where we found it.
Quick summary
| Stage | Who runs it | Official fee (checked 31 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation of eligibility and qualification | NMC | £167, non-refundable (NMC costs) |
| CBT | Pearson VUE, for NMC | £83 (NMC costs) |
| OSCE, in the UK | NMC-approved test centre | £794 (NMC costs) |
| NMC registration fee | NMC | £182 (NMC) |
| Health and Care Worker visa | UK Home Office | £324 (up to 3 years) or £628 (over 3 years) (GOV.UK) |
| PRC certificates and DMW processing | PRC / DMW | Check the official site |
The NMC notes that its fees increased on 1 October 2026 and some pages may still show old amounts. Always confirm on the NMC costs page before paying.
Step 1: Get your Philippine documents in order
You will need:
- Your BSN diploma and transcript of records
- Your active PRC licence (Professional Identification Card) and board rating
- A valid passport
- NBI clearance as your police certificate. The NMC requires a national police clearance for every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, and the certificate for your current country must be dated within 12 months of your submission. Regional or local certificates are not accepted (NMC)
The NMC verifies your licence directly with the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission. PRC offers certification, board rating and licence verification services through its online portal. Processing times and fees for these services are listed in the PRC Citizen's Charter, so check the official site for current amounts.
Run the NMC's free pre-application checklist to get a personal list.
Step 2: Pass IELTS or OET
The Philippines is not on the NMC's list of majority English-speaking countries, so nursing experience in the Philippines does not count as English evidence on its own (NMC country list). You need a test:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
| OET (Nursing) | B (350+) | B (350+) | C+ (300+) | B (350+) |
Source: NMC accepted tests.
- Results are valid for two years from the test date to when the NMC assesses your application.
- You may combine two sittings of the same test within 12 months. Every score in both sittings must meet a floor: IELTS 6.5 (writing 6.0), OET C+ (writing C) (IELTS rules, OET rules).
- IELTS Online is not accepted. OET on Paper, on Computer and OET@Home are all accepted.
Test fees: IDP Philippines lists computer-delivered IELTS Academic at PHP 14,470 from 1 July 2026 (IDP Philippines). OET's official price is AU$587 for the full test (OET); IDP Philippines estimates this at around PHP 21,800, but the peso amount moves with exchange rates.
Step 3: NMC evaluation
Open your NMC account, enter your qualification and PRC details and pay the £167 evaluation fee. The NMC contacts PRC and, if needed, your nursing school.
The NMC aims to give you an outcome within 14 days once it has everything it needs, including PRC's reply (NMC timings). After you are found eligible, you have two years to finish registration. Applications that do not progress within three months of opening are closed.
Step 4: Pass the CBT in the Philippines
Pearson VUE delivers the CBT at its centres, including in the Philippines (Pearson VUE NMC). Book only when the NMC tells you to, and use the right exam code (NMC_RNA for adult nursing). A wrong booking is not refunded.
Fees: £83 first attempt; resits £83 (full), £70 (clinical only) or £50 (numeracy only) (NMC costs).
Step 5: Registration application
Submit your health, character, language and indemnity evidence and pay the £182 registration fee. This must be done before your first OSCE attempt, because that is when your face-to-face ID check takes place. Bring original documents, including your passport and diploma, with certified translations of anything not in English.
Step 6: Job offer, DMW clearance and visa
DMW rules. Philippine law generally does not allow direct hiring of Filipino workers abroad without a licensed recruitment agency, with limited exemptions (DMW direct hiring FAQ). Most nurses go through a DMW-licensed agency that works with UK employers. Before departure you will need DMW processing as an Overseas Filipino Worker. Fees and steps for OFW clearance change, so check the DMW website.
UK visa. The Health and Care Worker visa needs a job offer and a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed UK sponsor.
- Fee: £324 (up to 3 years) or £628 (more than 3 years) (fees)
- No Immigration Health Surcharge for you or your dependants (IHS)
- £1,270 savings held for 28 days, unless your sponsor certifies it will cover your first month
- Decision usually within 3 weeks
- Salary usually at least £25,000 or the going rate (your job). NHS Band 5 is £32,073 to £39,043 from 1 April 2026 (NHS Employers)
- The Philippines is on the UK TB test list; certificates last 6 months from the x-ray (TB test)
Step 7: OSCE in the UK and registration
Most Filipino nurses sit the OSCE after arriving, usually within a few months, with employer support. It costs £794, with a £397 partial resit if you fail up to seven stations. Results appear in your NMC portal within five working days and the NMC aims to decide within 30 days once it has everything.
Typical timeline
| Stage | Official guide | Planning range |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS/OET | None | A few weeks to several months |
| PRC documents | See PRC Citizen's Charter | Weeks |
| NMC evaluation | 14 days after all evidence received | Weeks |
| Job offer, DMW and visa | UK visa usually within 3 weeks | 1 to 4 months |
| OSCE and PIN | 5 working days for results, 30 days for decision | 1 to 3 months after arrival |
Scam warning
- Placement fees. UK GOV.UK guidance says UK-based agencies cannot charge you recruitment fees (GOV.UK). Many UK employers pay all recruitment costs. Ask any Philippine agency, in writing, exactly what you will pay and why, and get an official receipt.
- Licensed agencies only. DMW advice is to deal only with licensed agencies, at their registered office, and to check that a real job order exists (DMW guidance).
- Tourist visa offers are a red flag. Never travel to "convert" a tourist visa into a work visa.
- No shortcuts on tests. The NMC invalidated every CBT taken at one overseas centre in 2023 after finding proxy testing (NMC statement).
- Check the UK employer on the register of licensed sponsors.
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Practise free
Everything on NurseFlyAbroad is free for nurses. Work through our OET Nursing mocks and NMC CBT-style questions, then download your free PDF report card.
FAQ
Can I take the CBT in Manila? Pearson VUE lists centres in the Philippines. Use its test centre finder after the NMC asks you to book.
Do I need OEC or DMW clearance if a UK hospital hires me directly? Philippine rules generally require hiring through a licensed agency, with limited exemptions. Ask DMW directly about your case before you accept an offer.
Is OET better than IELTS for the NMC? Both are accepted with equal standing. OET uses healthcare scenarios, which many nurses prefer. Pick the one you can pass in one or two sittings.