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Nurses Migration
Guiding You from Qualification to Career Success in the UK
of Nurse Migration Expertise
Applications Processed Every Year
Offices in India, NZ & Partners
From NMC-CBT-OSCE-Health & Care Visa Settlement
Nurses Migration
Guiding You from Qualification to Career Success in the UK
of Nurse Migration Expertise
Applications Processed Every Year
Offices in India, NZ & Partners
From NMC-CBT-OSCE-Health & Care Visa Settlement
For over 25 years, Derrick Jones has guided nurses from India and across the world to build careers and lives abroad. Now, with growing demand across the National Health Service and a clear, structured registration pathway, the UK has become one of the most rewarding destinations for internationally qualified nurses — and Derrick Jones is here to guide you through every step.
The United Kingdom is home to the National Health Service — one of the world's largest and most respected healthcare systems — employing over 300,000 nurses across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. With a severe and well-documented nursing shortage, the NHS actively recruits internationally qualified nurses, offering competitive Band 5 to Band 7 salaries, a comprehensive benefits package, clear career progression, and a structured pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British citizenship.
For Indian nurses — particularly those from Kerala — the UK represents not just a career move but a life-defining opportunity. A large, established Indian nursing community is already working across the NHS, making the transition smoother than ever.
At Derrick Jones, we guide you through the complete NMC registration journey — from your initial eligibility assessment and document preparation, through the CBT exam in India and the OSCE in the UK, to your Health and Care Worker visa and your first day on an NHS ward.
Join one of the world's most respected healthcare systems, with structured Band progression and genuine long-term career development
NHS Band 5 nurses start at £29,970–£36,483 per year; Band 6 and 7 nurses earn significantly more, with additional shift allowances
After 5 years on a Health and Care Worker visa, nurses are eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
The first major exam (CBT) can be taken at a Pearson VUE centre in India — no need to travel to the UK at this stage
Access to NHS pension, NHS staff discount, annual leave entitlements, and a £1,000 professional development fund
Eligible nurses can bring their spouse and children to the UK on a dependant visa
To practise as a registered nurse in the UK, you must gain registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) — the official regulatory body for all nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom. The following core requirements must be met before your registration can be issued.
A recognised nursing degree or diploma from an NMC-approved institution. Your program must be at least three years in duration and include a minimum of 500 hours of clinical practice. BSc Nursing, Post BSc Nursing, and MSc Nursing qualifications from Indian universities are generally accepted, subject to NMC evaluation.
You must demonstrate English language proficiency to the NMC's required standard. Accepted tests and minimum scores:
| Test | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OET | B | B | B | C+ |
| IELTS | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.5 |
OET is specifically designed for healthcare professionals and is widely recommended for nurses applying to the NMC. Derrick Jones offers expert OET, IELTS, and PTE coaching as part of your migration journey.
A valid — or previously valid — nursing registration from your home country nursing council, such as the Indian Nursing Council (INC) or the Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council (KNMC). The NMC will contact your home council directly to verify your registration.
You must confirm you are of good health and good character. This includes a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) covering the last 10 years, a Good Standing Certificate from your licensing authority, and a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner confirming your fitness to practise.
Passport (valid)
Nursing degree certificate
Nursing council registration certificate
Good Standing Certificate — addressed to the NMC
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) — last 10 years
English language test result (OET or IELTS)
Name change affidavit (if your name has changed since graduation)
Medical certificate from a registered GP
NMC registration for overseas nurses follows a structured, multi-stage pathway. The CBT exam can be completed in India before you travel; the OSCE is completed after you arrive in the UK with a job offer. Here is every step explained clearly.
(From NMC account creation to NMC PIN; varies by document processing, exam scheduling, and visa timeline)
All fees are indicative and subject to change. Many NHS Trusts cover OSCE fees for sponsored nurses. Derrick Jones provides a complete personalised cost estimate at your free consultation.
The CBT (Computer Based Test) is the first and most critical milestone in your NMC registration journey — and the good news is that you can complete it from India, without travelling to the UK. Understanding exactly what the exam involves is essential to passing it first time.
The CBT access our theoretical nursing knowledge against UK healthcare standards. Topics covered include patient safety, infection control, professional standards and ethics, medication calculations and pharmacology, clinical decision-making, communication, and evidence-based nursing practice. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE and is based on the NMC's published CBT blueprint.
The OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) is the hands-on practical component of the NMC's Test of Competence. It is taken in the UK after you arrive with a job offer, and is the final hurdle before you receive your NMC PIN. Preparation is essential — OSCE fees are significant, and a failed attempt costs the full fee again.
The OSCE evaluates your ability to deliver safe, compassionate, evidence-based nursing care in a simulated UK clinical environment. At each station, you will be observed performing specific nursing tasks — from conducting patient assessments and taking vital signs, to administering medications, managing clinical emergencies, and demonstrating effective patient communication. The NHS 6Cs of nursing (Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, Commitment) and NHS constitutional values are assessed throughout every station.
The Health and Care Worker visa is the UK immigration route for internationally qualified nurses coming to work in the NHS or an NHS-funded healthcare role. It replaced the old Tier 2 (Health and Care) visa in 2021 and offers excellent conditions for nurses and their families.
The National Health Service is one of the world's largest employers and most respected healthcare systems. Working in the NHS gives you access to internationally recognised clinical experience, continuous professional development, and a career that is valued, structured, and secure.
NHS nurses are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scale. Band 5 (newly registered nurses) earn £29,970 to £36,483 per year. Band 6 (specialist and senior nurses) earn £37,338 to £44,962. Additional shift allowances, on-call payments, and London weighting supplements increase overall earnings further.
After 5 years on the Health and Care Worker visa, nurses are eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — permanent UK residency with no sponsorship requirement. ILR then provides a direct route to British citizenship, giving you and your family the security of a UK passport.
NHS employees enjoy access to the NHS Pension Scheme, generous annual leave (27–33 days plus 8 bank holidays), maternity and paternity provisions, NHS Staff Benefits discounts, and a £1,000 continuing professional development (CPD) fund per year for training and development.
Indian nurses are one of the largest international nursing groups within the NHS, with established communities across London, the Midlands, the South East, and beyond. For Keralite nurses in particular, a strong, supportive network of fellow nurses, churches, and cultural associations makes settling into UK life far more straightforward.
The UK offers a stable, democratic society with strong worker protections, equal rights legislation, and robust NHS employment frameworks that safeguard the wellbeing and professional standards of every registered nurse. The NHS is a values-driven organisation — nurses are respected, not just employed.
Derrick Jones has guided over 10,000 nurses through complex international licensing and migration pathways since 1999. We understand the NMC process in full — including the nuances of Indian nursing council verification, CBT exam preparation, and Health and Care Worker visa requirements.
We do not just handle your visa. From your first document check and NMC account creation, through CBT coaching and post-CBT document submission, to OSCE preparation and UK settlement — Derrick Jones supports every stage. You never navigate this alone.
OET and IELTS results are mandatory for NMC registration. Derrick Jones offers expert coaching for all three NMC-accepted English language tests — meaning your language preparation and NMC application process run in parallel, saving time.
The CBT and OSCE are the two exams that most nurses find most challenging. Derrick Jones provides structured coaching for both — with NMC-aligned study materials, mock tests, clinical simulation practice, and expert trainers who know exactly what the NMC expects.
With offices in India and New Zealand, and partner branches spanning the UK, USA, Ireland, the Middle East, Singapore, and Malaysia, Derrick Jones brings a truly global support network to every nurse's migration journey — including direct experience with Indian nursing council verification processes.
From English language proficiency to clinical examinations, Derrick Jones provides complete training and personalised support — ensuring you are fully prepared for every requirement on your path to NMC registration and NHS nursing.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the official regulatory body for all nurses and midwives practising in the UK. Without NMC registration, it is illegal to work as a nurse in the UK. The NMC sets the standards every nurse must meet, regardless of where they trained, to ensure patient safety and professional quality across all UK healthcare settings.
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©2026. Derrick Jones Management Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Onbyz
