How much does NMC registration cost for an international nurse?

As of July 2026, the fees paid to the NMC and its test partners total about £1,170: a £140 evaluation of your qualification, the £83 computer-based test (CBT), the £794 objective structured clinical examination (OSCE, sat in the UK), and a £153 registration fee once you pass. That does not include your English test, the visa, flights or OSCE travel — a realistic all-in figure is often several thousand pounds, though many employers reimburse part of it.

What English test do nurses need for the NMC?

The NMC accepts IELTS Academic at 7.0 overall, with at least 7.0 in each skill, or OET at Grade B in each skill. The NMC also allows the required OET marks to be combined across two sittings under its published rules, and recognises other evidence of English in some cases. Check the NMC's accepted-tests page for the current detail.

How much will I earn as a nurse in the NHS?

Nurses are paid on the NHS Agenda for Change scale. In England for 2025/26, Band 5 (a newly-registered nurse) is £29,970 to £36,483 a year, Band 6 (experienced or specialist) is £38,682 to £46,580, and Band 7 (advanced or team-lead) is £47,810 to £54,710. These are basic figures before any high-cost-area supplement, which adds a percentage in and around London. Confirm current figures with NHS Employers.

Which visa do nurses use, and does it lead to settlement?

Most international nurses use the Health and Care Worker visa — cheaper than the standard Skilled Worker visa and exempt from the immigration health surcharge. It can last up to five years, after which you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (settlement). You need a job offer from a licensed sponsor and a certificate of sponsorship first.

How long does NMC registration take?

Commonly several months to around a year: evaluation, the CBT (which can be sat in your home country), securing a sponsored job, the visa, and then the OSCE, which is sat in the UK — usually after you arrive and start on supervised practice. Timelines vary with test availability and employer support.

Is it worth moving to the UK as a nurse?

An honest, fully-sourced answer for internationally-trained nurses: what NMC registration (CBT and OSCE) actually costs, what you will earn from Band 5 to Band 7, which visa you use, how long it takes, and the real downsides alongside the upsides.

Is it worth moving to the UK as an internationally-trained nurse?

For many international nurses the UK is a strong choice, with a clear registration route and settlement after five years — but the maths matters. As of July 2026, the NMC fees come to about £1,170 (evaluation £140, CBT £83, OSCE £794, registration £153), the Health and Care Worker visa is £284–£551 with the health surcharge waived, and a newly-registered Band 5 nurse earns £29,970 to £36,483 a year. Weigh that against relocation costs and higher-paying destinations.

Source:NMC — Information for internationally trained applicants·as of July 2026updated reviewed quarterly (last: 3 July 2026)

The honest pros and cons for nurses

Reasons it can be worth it

A clear, published registration route (CBT then OSCE) and settlement after five years on the Health and Care Worker visa.
Exemption from the immigration health surcharge for you and your dependants.
Transparent Agenda for Change pay — Band 5 to Band 7 figures are public before you move.
Many NHS trusts and care providers reimburse part of the NMC and travel costs and support OSCE preparation.
The CBT can be taken in your home country, so only the OSCE requires being in the UK.

Reasons it might not be

Upfront cost: about about £1,170 in NMC fees plus an English test, visa and travel — the all-in figure is often several thousand pounds.
The OSCE is sat in the UK and must be passed within a set window after you arrive, which is stressful and time-pressured.
You typically start at Band 5 regardless of home seniority, so experienced nurses can feel down-banded at first.
UK tax and living costs are high; take-home Band 5 pay in a high-cost city goes quickly.
Gulf nursing salaries are often tax-free and can be higher — the UK competes on training, stability and settlement, not top pay.

The NMC fee stack, itemised

NMC and partner fees for international nurses, as of July 2026 (confirm on the NMC)
Stage	Fee	Paid to
Qualification evaluation (non-refundable)	£140	NMC
CBT — computer-based test (Part 1)	£83	Test partner
OSCE — clinical exam in the UK (Part 2)	£794	UK test centre
Registration on passing	£153	NMC
Total NMC / partner fees	about £1,170	—

On top of these you pay for an English test, the Health & Care Worker visa (£284–£551, surcharge waived), flights and OSCE travel.

Source: NMC — Information for internationally trained applicants (July 2026).

Source: NMC — Accepted English language tests (July 2026).

Contains public sector information published by UK Home Office and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: GOV.UK — Health and Care Worker visa (July 2026).

NHS nurse pay (2025/26)

NHS basic annual nurse pay, England, 2025/26 (before high-cost-area supplement)
Band	Typical role	Basic annual pay
Band 5	Newly-registered nurse	£29,970 to £36,483
Band 6	Experienced / specialist nurse	£38,682 to £46,580
Band 7	Advanced / team-lead nurse	£47,810 to £54,710

Source: NHS Employers — Agenda for Change pay scales 2025/26 (2025/26 (from 1 April 2025)).

Frequently asked questions

How much does NMC registration cost for an international nurse?: As of July 2026, the fees paid to the NMC and its test partners total about £1,170: a £140 evaluation of your qualification, the £83 computer-based test (CBT), the £794 objective structured clinical examination (OSCE, sat in the UK), and a £153 registration fee once you pass. That does not include your English test, the visa, flights or OSCE travel — a realistic all-in figure is often several thousand pounds, though many employers reimburse part of it.
What English test do nurses need for the NMC?: The NMC accepts IELTS Academic at 7.0 overall, with at least 7.0 in each skill, or OET at Grade B in each skill. The NMC also allows the required OET marks to be combined across two sittings under its published rules, and recognises other evidence of English in some cases. Check the NMC's accepted-tests page for the current detail.
How much will I earn as a nurse in the NHS?: Nurses are paid on the NHS Agenda for Change scale. In England for 2025/26, Band 5 (a newly-registered nurse) is £29,970 to £36,483 a year, Band 6 (experienced or specialist) is £38,682 to £46,580, and Band 7 (advanced or team-lead) is £47,810 to £54,710. These are basic figures before any high-cost-area supplement, which adds a percentage in and around London. Confirm current figures with NHS Employers.
Which visa do nurses use, and does it lead to settlement?: Most international nurses use the Health and Care Worker visa — cheaper than the standard Skilled Worker visa and exempt from the immigration health surcharge. It can last up to five years, after which you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (settlement). You need a job offer from a licensed sponsor and a certificate of sponsorship first.
How long does NMC registration take?: Commonly several months to around a year: evaluation, the CBT (which can be sat in your home country), securing a sponsored job, the visa, and then the OSCE, which is sat in the UK — usually after you arrive and start on supervised practice. Timelines vary with test availability and employer support.

Explore the full UK nursing route

See the step-by-step NMC registration guide for international nurses, plus the pay and visa detail in one place.

Read the UK nursing routes guide NHS pay scales in full

Country pathway pages

Editorial data review: figures on this page are drawn directly from the official public source cited here and were cross-checked against that source at publication; derived values (percentages, medians, index scores) are computed from those published figures using the stated methodology — nothing is estimated or invented. Last reviewed: 3 July 2026. This page is general information, not medical advice.