The Global Nurse’s Migration Guide (2025 Edition)
IEN Licensure: Step-by-Step Guide for US, Australia, & UAE
The path to practicing nursing internationally varies significantly by country. Here are the detailed, step-by-step processes for the United States, Australia, and the UAE (Dubai/DHA).
🇺🇸 US: NCLEX-RN and State Board Licensing
The US process is state-specific and centralized around the NCLEX exam. Passing the exam grants a license in the specific state chosen.
| Step | Action | Details |
| 1. Choose a State & Apply | Select a State Board of Nursing (BON) where you wish to be licensed. | Requirements (experience, education) vary by state. You must meet the requirements of your chosen state. |
| 2. Credentials Evaluation | Apply to an authorized credentialing agency (most commonly CGFNS International) for a Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Report. | CGFNS verifies the authenticity of your education, license, and experience documents against US standards. The report is sent directly to your chosen BON. |
| 3. BON Application | Submit the official application for licensure by examination to the chosen State BON. | Pay the application fee and complete background checks/fingerprinting as required by the state. The BON reviews the CES Report. |
| 4. NCLEX Authorization | Once the BON deems you eligible, they issue an Authorization to Test (ATT) to Pearson VUE (the exam provider). | The ATT is valid for a limited time (e.g., 90 days), and you must schedule and take the NCLEX-RN within this period. |
| 5. Take the NCLEX-RN | Schedule and pass the NCLEX-RN exam (Computerized Adaptive Test). | The NCLEX-RN can be taken at testing centers both in the US and internationally. |
| 6. VisaScreen | Obtain a VisaScreen Certificate (also via CGFNS). | This is a mandatory federal immigration requirement for a US employment-based visa (like an EB-3 or H-1B) and verifies your education, license, and English proficiency. |
| 7. Licensure & Visa | Receive your nursing license from the State BON, find an employer, and begin the immigration (visa) process. | Important: Passing the NCLEX only grants the license; you must secure a job/sponsorship to get a visa. |
🇦🇺 Australia: Streamlined AHPRA Registration (New Pathway)
Australia’s process is standardized nationally by AHPRA and has been recently streamlined for certain IENs from “Comparable Jurisdictions.”
| Step | Action | Details |
| 1. Determine Eligibility (Stream A) | Check if you qualify for the Streamlined Pathway (Stream A). | This pathway is for nurses trained in, or currently practicing with at least 1,800 hours of experience since 2017 in, a “Comparable Jurisdiction” (e.g., US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Singapore, Spain). |
| 2. Initial Assessment/Self-Check | Submit an online application for assessment to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)/AHPRA. | This includes submitting certified ID, education, and practice documents. |
| 3. English Language Skills | Provide evidence of meeting the English Language Skills Registration Standard. | This is typically achieved through an academic test (IELTS, OET, PTE) or by relying on your primary qualification/practice in a recognized English-speaking country. |
| 4. Documentation & Verification | Submit all certified documents, including: Evidence of 1,800 hours practice (since 2017) in a comparable jurisdiction and Certificates of Good Standing (sent directly from your past licensing body to AHPRA). | |
| 5. Registration Grant | AHPRA/NMBA assesses the application under the Streamlined Pathway. | If all mandatory registration standards (Criminal History, Practice, English, etc.) are met, they grant you General Registration as a Registered Nurse. |
| Non-Stream A (Alternative) | If you do not qualify for Stream A, you will likely need to complete the Outcomes Based Assessment (OBA), which consists of a multiple-choice exam and a clinical exam (OSCE). |
🇦🇪 UAE: Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Licensing
Licensure is determined by the specific Emirate. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) process is common for those seeking work in Dubai.
| Step | Action | Details |
| 1. Self-Assessment | Complete the online Self-Assessment Tool on the DHA Sheryan portal. | This determines your initial eligibility based on your qualifications and experience. |
| 2. Primary Source Verification (PSV) | Submit all documents to a third-party agency (usually DataFlow Group) for PSV. | DataFlow contacts your issuing authorities (university, licensing body, employer) to verify the authenticity of your education, license, and experience certificates. |
| 3. Computer Based Test (CBT) | Register and pass the Prometric Exam for the Registered Nurse specialty. | This is the official written assessment of competency. (Note: Exemptions may apply for certain qualifications or years of high-level experience). |
| 4. DHA Registration | Apply for the “Get Registered” service on the Sheryan portal. | Submit the PSV Report (from DataFlow) and your CBT/Prometric score. The DHA reviews the overall file. |
| 5. Oral Assessment (If Required) | Some positions or specialties may require a final Oral Assessment (Viva/Interview) by a panel of experts. | |
| 6. License Activation | Once approved and you have a job offer, the employer submits a final request to Activate Professional License. | The license is then active, allowing you to legally practice nursing in Dubai. |
Top Countries Where It’s Easiest to Work & Migrate as a Nurse — Ranked
Welcome back! For international nurses, relocating is not just about the salary; it’s about the total package: how easy is it to get sponsored, and how fast can you secure a life-changing Permanent Residency (PR)?
We’ve analyzed the data on the top destinations—balancing the highest salaries (like Switzerland) against the easiest PR pathways (like Canada).
Here is the definitive ranking of the best countries for IENs looking to work and migrate, based on the following weighted categories (1 = Lowest, 5 = Highest):
| Category | Description |
| Salary | Average annual take-home potential compared to the cost of living. |
| PR Pathway | Speed and certainty of achieving permanent residency (PR). |
| Sponsorship | Ease of securing a visa and job offer (demand level). |
| Cost of Living | General expenses relative to major global cities. |
| Family-Friendly | Healthcare, education, and immigration policies for dependents. |
🥇 Rank 1: Canada 🇨🇦 (The Best All-Rounder)
Canada is not the highest payer, but it offers the most streamlined path from foreign worker to permanent resident on this list, making it the most secure choice for long-term settlement.
| Category | Score (Out of 5) | Justification |
| Salary | 4/5 | ($70,000 – $90,000 USD Average). Excellent in relation to average cost of living outside major cities (Vancouver/Toronto). |
| PR Pathway | 5/5 | Best in Class. Nurses are a priority in Express Entry (CEC, PNP) and benefit from dedicated draws, offering the fastest path to PR (often within 1-2 years of qualifying work experience). |
| Sponsorship | 5/5 | Extremely High Demand. Chronic national shortage means almost all provincial health authorities actively recruit and are approved sponsors. |
| Cost of Living | 4/5 | Moderate. While Toronto/Vancouver are expensive, salaries offset costs well in other major cities (Calgary, Ottawa). |
| Family-Friendly | 5/5 | Excellent. Highly-regarded public education, universal healthcare, and spousal/dependent work permits are easily granted. |
| TOTAL SCORE | 23 / 25 |
🥈 Rank 2: Australia 🇦🇺 (The High Salary/High PR Combo)
Australia offers a slightly higher salary floor than Canada and a very clear PR path driven by the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189).
| Category | Score (Out of 5) | Justification |
| Salary | 5/5 | ($77,000 – $95,000 USD Average). Excellent rates, particularly in major cities and remote areas, providing high disposable income. |
| PR Pathway | 4/5 | Very Clear. Nurses are consistently on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List, making them ideal candidates for the 189 and 190 PR visas (points-based). |
| Sponsorship | 5/5 | Extremely High Demand. The Aged Care sector alone drives enormous demand, guaranteeing sponsorship for qualified nurses. |
| Cost of Living | 3/5 | High. Major cities (Sydney/Melbourne) are among the most expensive globally, particularly for housing. |
| Family-Friendly | 5/5 | Excellent. High quality of life, excellent public safety, and easy spousal/dependent work rights. |
| TOTAL SCORE | 22 / 25 |
🥉 Rank 3: United Kingdom 🇬🇧 (The Easiest Entry)
The UK’s Health and Care Worker Visa makes securing a job and entry the easiest globally. However, the path to PR is slower, and starting salaries are modest compared to the other top countries.
| Category | Score (Out of 5) | Justification |
| Salary | 2/5 | ($45,000 – $60,000 USD Average). Starting NHS salaries are modest, though they provide a stable income. |
| PR Pathway | 3/5 | Clear but Slow. The Health and Care Visa leads directly to settlement (ILR) after 5 years of continuous residence. No complex points system, but a mandatory 5-year wait. |
| Sponsorship | 5/5 | Easiest. Thousands of NHS Trusts and private care homes are approved sponsors, making the job offer the quickest step. |
| Cost of Living | 4/5 | Moderate. Housing in London is expensive, but the cost of living outside the Southeast is very manageable. |
| Family-Friendly | 4/5 | High. Universal healthcare (NHS) and streamlined dependent visa processes. |
| TOTAL SCORE | 18 / 25 |
Rank 4: United States 🇺🇸 (The Salary King, PR Hurdle)
The US offers the highest salary potential for experienced nurses, but the Permanent Residency (Green Card) process is notoriously long and complex, often spanning many years due to backlogs.
| Category | Score (Out of 5) | Justification |
| Salary | 5/5 | ($85,000 – $120,000+ USD Average). The highest earning potential in the world, particularly in states like California and New York. |
| PR Pathway | 2/5 | Difficult/Long. Requires EB-3 Green Card sponsorship, which often has visa bulletin backlogs, leading to multi-year waiting times (sometimes 5+ years) before entry. |
| Sponsorship | 4/5 | Very High. Thousands of hospitals and agencies sponsor, but the process is highly legalistic and expensive. |
| Cost of Living | 3/5 | High. Major employment hubs (NYC, LA) have extremely high rent and cost of living. Healthcare is also privatized/expensive without employer coverage. |
| Family-Friendly | 3/5 | Moderate. Excellent career opportunities for family, but healthcare/education costs can be high if not covered by the employer. |
| TOTAL SCORE | 17 / 25 |
Rank 5: Switzerland 🇨🇭 (The Specialist/Language Challenge)
Switzerland offers the highest salaries globally but presents the biggest initial barriers in terms of language, cost of living, and PR access.
| Category | Score (Out of 5) | Justification |
| Salary | 5/5 | ($107,000+ USD Average). The highest-paying country for nurses in the world. |
| PR Pathway | 1/5 | Very Difficult. Requires many years of continuous residence (up to 10 years in some cantons) and integration (language proficiency) before applying for a settlement permit (Permit C). |
| Sponsorship | 3/5 | Moderate. High demand, but requires official language proficiency (German, French, or Italian) and a lengthy credential recognition process. |
| Cost of Living | 1/5 | Very High. Consistently ranks as one of the most expensive places in the world to live, eating into the high salary. |
| Family-Friendly | 4/5 | High. Excellent quality of life, safety, and healthcare system. |
| TOTAL SCORE | 14 / 25 |
Comments (0)