MatricMap

↑↓ to move · Enter to open · Esc to close

Qualification recognition

What it takes to have your qualification recognised and work in another country.

Nursing in 9 countries Tap a country to see how to qualify there

4 United Kingdom Exams or bridging High demand

Two exams (a computer test, then a practical OSCE in the UK) and you are on the NMC register.

Recognition
3/5 Licensing exams, an adaptation period or a conversion course. Typically 6 to 24 months.
Time to practise
6-12 months
What it takes: exams, language test, cost, regulator
Exams
NMC Test of Competence: CBT (about GBP 83 per attempt) plus an OSCE in the UK. Both must be passed within two years of each other.
Language test
IELTS Academic or OET, unless the NMC accepts evidence your programme was taught and examined in English.
Rough cost
About GBP 1,226 in NMC fees and tests (evaluation GBP 167, CBT GBP 83, OSCE GBP 794, registration GBP 182, from 1 October 2026), excluding resits, travel and the English test.

Worth knowing: The OSCE must be sat in the UK, so almost everyone goes via an employer who sponsors the visa and pays for the exam.

Step by step 5 steps

  1. Open an NMC account and submit the eligibility and qualification application with SANC verification, ID, health and character evidence.
  2. Provide English evidence: IELTS Academic or OET, or NMC-accepted alternative evidence that your SA programme was taught and examined in English.
  3. Pass Test of Competence part 1, the computer-based test (CBT): 115 questions (15 numeracy, 100 clinical) at a Pearson VUE centre in South Africa.
  4. Travel to the UK and pass part 2, the OSCE, at an NMC-approved test centre. Most nurses do this with a sponsoring NHS or care employer.
  5. Pay the registration fee and receive your NMC PIN. A Health and Care Worker visa needs an employer sponsor.
Evidence and sources (6)

Demand evidence: Health and Care Worker visa codes cover all registered nurses (2231-2237); care workers (6135/6136) are also on the Immigration Salary List. (source)

Visas for United KingdomSkilled Worker visa · Health and Care Worker visa · Graduate visa (Graduate route) and 3 more6 routes
4 Ireland Exams or bridging High demand

NMBI compares your SA training, then usually sets a 6-week supervised adaptation or an aptitude test.

Recognition
3/5 Licensing exams, an adaptation period or a conversion course. Typically 6 to 24 months.
Time to practise
6-12 months
What it takes: exams, language test, regulator
Exams
Usually none sat in South Africa. The RCSI aptitude test only if you choose it instead of adaptation (General or Psychiatric Nurses divisions only).
Language test
IELTS or OET at NMBI-specified scores unless exempt on the basis of English-medium education and practice.

Worth knowing: The adaptation period is served in an Irish hospital, so you need an Irish job and visa first. NMBI processing has been slow.

Confidence: medium. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.

Step by step 5 steps

  1. Apply to NMBI through MyNMBI for recognition of your SA qualification, with SANC verification and certified transcripts.
  2. Meet the English requirement (IELTS or OET) unless NMBI accepts your English-medium SA training.
  3. Receive a decision letter; if gaps are found you are given compensation measures.
  4. Complete the measure: a period of adaptation (minimum 6 weeks supervised practice in Ireland, extendable) or, for the General or Psychiatric Nurses divisions, the RCSI aptitude test.
  5. Register with NMBI and take up an Irish hospital post; an employment permit is usually needed.
Evidence and sources (3)

Demand evidence: Critical Skills Occupations List: Registered Nurses (2231) and Registered Midwives (2232). (source)

Visas for IrelandCritical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) · General Employment Permit (GEP) · Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) and 1 more4 routes
3 Netherlands Major requalification Some demand

Dutch to B1 is compulsory and there is a knowledge test; the recognition file alone takes 6-18 months.

Recognition
2/5 Substantial re-study, long supervised practice, scarce posts or a hard language barrier.
Time to practise
1.5-3 years including learning Dutch
What it takes: exams, language test, cost, regulator
Exams
The BI-toets professional knowledge test, which nurses must sit. The former AKV test was abolished on 1 January 2024; language is now shown by certificates.
Language test
Dutch at CEFR B1 (Staatsexamen NT2 programme I) is mandatory, plus English reading at A2. Dutch is the biggest hurdle for a South African.
Rough cost
CIBG says the application itself is currently free; the nurses' BI-toets costs EUR 400, plus translations, legalisation, Dutch courses and language test fees

Worth knowing: CIBG quotes 6-18 months on average for the recognition decision alone, on top of the time needed to reach Dutch B1.

Confidence: medium. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.

Step by step 5 steps

  1. Get a Dutch B1 certificate (Staatsexamen NT2 programme I or an approved institute) and an English reading certificate; both must be submitted with the application.
  2. Apply to CIBG via mijn.bigregister.nl for a verklaring van vakbekwaamheid (certificate of professional competence) with legalised SA documents.
  3. Nuffic or SBB assesses whether your SA nursing degree compares with the Dutch HBO-V level.
  4. Sit the beroepsinhoudelijke toets (BI-toets), the professional knowledge test, which is compulsory for nurses.
  5. The CBGV commission advises the Minister; on a positive decision you enter the BIG-register and may work.
Evidence and sources (4)

Demand evidence: No Dutch immigration shortage list. UWV's 2020 kansrijke-beroepen page named verpleegkundigen (nurses) as in demand, but UWV says that page is out of date. (limited evidence for this country) (source)

Visas for NetherlandsHighly Skilled Migrant (kennismigrant) · Orientation year for highly educated persons (zoekjaar hoogopgeleiden) · European Blue Card (Netherlands) and 1 more4 routes
4 Germany Major requalification High demand

German at B2 is compulsory, then either a knowledge exam or an adaptation course of up to 3 years.

Recognition
2/5 Substantial re-study, long supervised practice, scarce posts or a hard language barrier.
Time to practise
1.5-3 years including learning German
What it takes: exams, language test, cost, regulator
Exams
Kenntnispruefung, an oral and practical knowledge exam, if you take it instead of an adaptation course.
Language test
German at CEFR B2 is mandatory; many employers expect telc B2 Pflege. Some states ask for B1 during the process.
Rough cost
Not published. State recognition fees plus German courses, translations and exam fees.

Worth knowing: German nursing is a vocational, non-degree qualification, so an SA degree does not lift you above entry-level nurse pay or status.

Confidence: medium. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.

Step by step 5 steps

  1. Apply to the recognition authority of the German state where you want to work for permission to use the title Pflegefachfrau or Pflegefachmann.
  2. Submit certified German translations of your SANC registration, diploma, transcripts and work references.
  3. Reach German at CEFR B2 (Goethe, telc B2 Pflege, OeSD or another ALTE-certified school) and submit the original certificate.
  4. The authority compares your training with the German three-year Pflegeausbildung and issues a deficit notice.
  5. Close the gap with either a Kenntnispruefung (knowledge exam) or an Anpassungslehrgang (adaptation course, up to 3 years), then get the Berufserlaubnis.
Evidence and sources (3)

Demand evidence: Make it in Germany lists Nursing professionals as a profession in demand; German language at B1/B2 is required for registration. (source)

Visas for GermanyEU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU) · Skilled worker visa (Fachkräfte, Residence Act §18a/§18b) · Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte, Residence Act §20a) and 1 more4 routes
4 United States Exams or bridging High demand

Credentials evaluation plus the NCLEX-RN; SA is on a special 212(r) list that eases the visa screen.

Recognition
3/5 Licensing exams, an adaptation period or a conversion course. Typically 6 to 24 months.
Time to practise
9-18 months for the licence; the immigrant visa queue can add years
What it takes: exams, language test, cost, regulator
Exams
NCLEX-RN (about USD 200 registration plus a USD 150 international scheduling fee; the registration fee rises to USD 350 from 1 February 2027).
Language test
English test usually required. SA is off the standard VisaScreen exemption list but eligible for the 212(r) route, which needs an active RN licence in one of five states (FL, GA, IL, MI or NY).
Rough cost
Roughly USD 1,500-3,000 for evaluation, NCLEX, state licence and VisaScreen

Worth knowing: Licensing is per state and rules differ a lot. The employment-based green card queue, not the exam, is the real bottleneck.

Confidence: medium. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.

Step by step 5 steps

  1. Choose a state and apply to that state's board of nursing for licensure by examination as an internationally educated nurse.
  2. Have your SA nursing education evaluated by CGFNS/TruMerit or another board-accepted evaluator, and have SANC verify your licence.
  3. Meet the state's English requirement; most states require IELTS or TOEFL for SA-trained nurses.
  4. Register for and pass the NCLEX-RN at a Pearson VUE centre, including international centres.
  5. Obtain a VisaScreen certificate, or the 212(r) certified statement open to South African-educated RNs who have passed the NCLEX-RN and hold an active licence in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan or New York, then get an employer-sponsored visa.
Evidence and sources (3)

Demand evidence: DOL Schedule A Group I covers professional nurses (20 CFR 656.5), pre-certifying a labour shortage. BLS also projects faster than average growth. (source)

Visas for United StatesH-1B specialty occupation visa · F-1 student visa with OPT and STEM OPT · O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary ability and 3 more6 routes
4 Canada Exams or bridging High demand

A credential assessment (NNAS in most provinces; Inspire in BC), then a provincial college decides: NCLEX-RN, or bridging first.

Recognition
3/5 Licensing exams, an adaptation period or a conversion course. Typically 6 to 24 months.
Time to practise
12-18 months
What it takes: exams, language test, cost, regulator
Exams
NCLEX-RN plus a provincial jurisprudence exam. Some provinces add a competency assessment, such as the Inspire assessment in BC.
Language test
IELTS or CELBAN usually required; some colleges exempt English-medium graduates.
Rough cost
Not published. Credential assessment fee (NNAS, or Inspire in BC) plus provincial registration, NCLEX CAD 360 for Canadian candidates (CAD 570 from 1 February 2027), plus CAD 150 if sat outside Canada or the US, and an English test.

Worth knowing: Licensing is provincial, so an Ontario decision does not bind British Columbia. Quebec has its own French-language route via OIIQ.

Confidence: medium. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.

Step by step 5 steps

  1. Choose a province first, because the credential step differs: BCCNM (British Columbia) uses Inspire Global Assessments, the College of Nurses of Ontario accepts several approved credential assessment services, and other colleges generally use NNAS.
  2. Have SANC, your university and employers send documents directly to the assessment service and receive its report comparing your SA education with Canadian entry-level RN competencies.
  3. Apply to the nursing regulator in your chosen province, such as the College of Nurses of Ontario, BCCNM or CRNA in Alberta.
  4. Complete what the college requires: often direct exam approval, sometimes a competency assessment (in BC this is part of the Inspire assessment), or bridging courses.
  5. Pass the NCLEX-RN, meet English and jurisprudence requirements, and register provincially.
Evidence and sources (5)

Demand evidence: Express Entry Healthcare and social services category: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (31301), nurse practitioners (31302). (source)

Visas for CanadaExpress Entry (FSWP / CEC / FSTP) · Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) · Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and 2 more5 routes
4 Australia Exams or bridging High demand

Two exams: the NCLEX-RN, then a practical OSCE that must be sat in Adelaide or Melbourne, about AUD 4,000.

Recognition
3/5 Licensing exams, an adaptation period or a conversion course. Typically 6 to 24 months.
Time to practise
9-18 months
What it takes: exams, language test, cost, regulator
Exams
NCLEX-RN (USD 200 registration plus a USD 150 international scheduling fee; the registration fee rises to USD 350 from 1 February 2027) plus the NMBA OSCE in Adelaide or Melbourne (about AUD 4,000).
Language test
Ahpra English language skills standard: IELTS Academic overall 7 or equivalent unless an education pathway applies.
Rough cost
About AUD 5,000-6,000 in total, excluding travel to Adelaide or Melbourne and visa costs

Worth knowing: The OSCE is only offered in Adelaide and Melbourne, with registered nurse sittings each month at one of the two, so budget for flights and accommodation. Ahpra changed the minimum English test scores for OET, PTE, TOEFL and Cambridge C1 tests taken from 23 April 2026; IELTS minimums did not change.

Confidence: medium. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.

Step by step 5 steps

  1. Complete the free Ahpra IQNM self-check to find out which stream your SA qualification falls into.
  2. Submit the orientation portfolio with SANC verification, identity documents and English evidence.
  3. If placed in the Outcomes-Based Assessment stream, pass the NCLEX-RN at a Pearson VUE centre, including in South Africa.
  4. Travel to Adelaide Health Simulation or the RANZCOG centre in Melbourne and pass the 10-station OSCE against the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice.
  5. Apply to Ahpra for registration, then apply for a skilled or employer-sponsored visa.
Evidence and sources (5)

Demand evidence: JSA Occupation Shortage List 2025: Registered Nurse (Acute Care, Aged Care, Mental Health, Primary Health Care) all in national shortage. (source)

Visas for AustraliaSkills in Demand visa (subclass 482) · Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Points-tested stream · Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) and 3 more6 routes
4 New Zealand Exams or bridging High demand

An online theory exam you can sit in SA, then a 10-station OSCE in Christchurch. Nursing is a Green List role.

Recognition
3/5 Licensing exams, an adaptation period or a conversion course. Typically 6 to 24 months.
Time to practise
9-15 months once you have at least 1,800 hours of post-registration practice
What it takes: exams, language test, regulator
Exams
IQN theoretical examination (Pearson VUE) plus the Clinical Competence Assessment OSCE in Christchurch. This replaced the old CAP bridging programme.
Language test
IELTS Academic 7 in reading, listening and speaking with 6.5 writing, or OET 350 with 300 writing, unless exempt.

Worth knowing: Nurses trained in the UK, Ireland, USA, Singapore, Ontario or BC may skip the competence assessment. South Africa is not on that list. The Nursing Council says demand for internationally qualified nurses is currently lower than previously, except in some areas of speciality or experience (e.g. mental health and addiction), and encourages exploring jobs before applying.

Confidence: medium. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.

Step by step 5 steps

  1. Gain at least 1,800 hours of nursing practice after registering with SANC (with no post-registration experience at all you are not eligible), then have your documents, including SANC verification and transcripts, verified by TruMerit before applying to the Nursing Council as an internationally qualified nurse.
  2. Meet the English requirement: IELTS Academic 7.0 (6.5 writing) or OET 350 (300 writing), unless exempt.
  3. Sit the IQN theoretical examination online at a Pearson VUE centre: Part A medication safety, Part B nursing knowledge, up to three attempts.
  4. Attend the two-day orientation course and pass the 10-station OSCE at the Nurse Maude Simulation and Assessment Centre in Christchurch.
  5. Complete the free Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand courses, register, then secure a job and visa.
Evidence and sources (5)

Demand evidence: Green List Tier 1: all Registered Nurse codes (254412-254499), Nurse Practitioners (254411) and Midwife (254111). The Nursing Council of New Zealand says demand for internationally qualified nurses is currently lower than previously, except in some areas of speciality or experience (e.g. mental health and addiction), and encourages exploring jobs before applying. (source)

Visas for New ZealandAccredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) · Green List (Straight to Residence and Work to Residence) · Skilled Migrant Category resident visa and 2 more5 routes
4 United Arab Emirates Exams or bridging High demand

No experience required, and nurses with a valid SANC licence and good standing are normally exempt from the licensing exam.

Recognition
3/5 Licensing exams, an adaptation period or a conversion course. Typically 6 to 24 months.
Time to practise
6-12 months (estimate)
What it takes: exams, language test, cost, regulator
Exams
Usually none: the April 2025 PQR exempts nurses with a valid South African licence and good standing (recent qualification or no gap in practice). Otherwise the authority's computer-based registered-nurse exam (via Prometric for DHA).
Language test
English; the PQR says all licensing exams are in English. No Arabic requirement was found for licensing.
Rough cost
DHA credentialing fee AED 200, plus separate DataFlow verification and Prometric exam fees not published on the pages checked; total unknown

Worth knowing: Based on the April 2025 Unified PQR. Each authority may add requirements, and a long gap in practice removes the exam exemption. Visas are employer-tied and do not lead to PR or citizenship; the Golden Visa is the long-term exception.

Confidence: medium. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.

Step by step 6 steps

  1. Register with SANC. The April 2025 PQR asks a registered nurse for a bachelor's degree in nursing of at least 3 years and a valid home licence; no experience is required, subject to the gap-of-practice rules.
  2. Nurses with a valid South African licence and certificate of good standing are exempt from the licensing exam if they qualified recently (within 3 years in DHA's copy of the PQR, 2 years in the DoH Abu Dhabi copy) or have no gap in practice since their last job.
  3. Choose the emirate you will work in (DHA for Dubai, DoH for Abu Dhabi, MOHAP for the rest) and apply online (Sheryan in Dubai, TAMM in Abu Dhabi).
  4. Have your degree, internship, experience letters, HPCSA or council registration and good standing verified by DataFlow (primary source verification).
  5. Only if the exemption does not apply: pass the authority's computer-based nursing exam in English (DHA uses Prometric); three attempts are allowed.
  6. Get a job offer: the registration only becomes a licence when a UAE health facility activates it, and that employer also sponsors your visa.
Evidence and sources (6)

Demand evidence: No official shortage list. Abu Dhabi's 10-year Golden Visa for Elite Specialists in Health Fields is open to holders of an Abu Dhabi Department of Health practising licence and a bachelor's degree, with Department of Health endorsement. (source)

Visas for United Arab EmiratesEmployment residence visa and MOHRE work permit · Green Visa (skilled employee or freelancer) · Golden Visa (10-year residence) and 3 more6 routes

General information, not immigration or legal advice. Confirm the rules with the regulator before you rely on them. Nursing overview