Fellow Nurses Africa | Lagos, Nigeria | 13 July, 2025
Are Overseas Trained Nurses Still Eligible for Sponsorship Jobs in the UK in 2025? Debunking Myths and Clarifying New Immigration Rules
Picture this: you’re in a WhatsApp group, heart racing as someone types, “Nurses can’t get sponsored jobs in the UK anymore!” Or maybe you’re scrolling TikTok, and a so-called nurse influencer claims the new RQF Level 6 rule shuts you out. I’ve been there, trying to correct the noise in a heated chat, feeling like I’m shouting into the void.
It’s exhausting, and it hurts—especially when your dream of working in the UK feels at stake. But let me set the record straight with the fire and clarity you deserve: overseas trained nurses are still absolutely eligible for sponsorship jobs in the UK. You are needed, valued, and wanted.Nurses are global citizens, the heartbeat of healthcare systems worldwide.
The UK’s NHS is crying out for your skills, your compassion, your resilience. Recent immigration changes, effective July 22, 2025, have sparked confusion, but don’t let misinformation dim your spark. Let’s break it down, debunk the myths, and show why the UK’s doors are wide open for nurses like you.
The Truth About Nurse Sponsorship in 2025
Those WhatsApp and TikTok claims? They’re wrong. They say nurses don’t qualify because of the new RQF Level 6 requirement or higher salary thresholds. That’s nonsense. Registered nurses (SOC code 2231) are classified as RQF Level 6 or above, perfectly meeting the new skill threshold introduced on July 22, 2025, under the Health and Care Worker Visa. Unlike care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136), whose sponsorship routes closed to new applicants on the same date, nurses are unaffected. You’re still in the game.
Here’s the real deal:
Skill Level: That TikTok video claiming nurses are RQF Level 5? Dead wrong. Registered nursing roles are RQF Level 6 (degree level), aligning with the new rules for the Health and Care Worker Visa, designed for heroes like you—doctors, nurses, midwives.
Salary Requirements: As of April 9, 2025, the minimum salary for this visa is £25,000 per year or the “going rate” for the role, aligned with NHS Agenda for Change pay scales. Most registered nurse roles, typically Band 5, start around £32,300 annually, easily clearing this bar.
Sponsorship Opportunities: The care worker route is closed, but nurses? You’re golden. NHS trusts, private hospitals, and agencies like Drake Medox are rolling out the red carpet, often covering visa fees, CBT/OSCE training, and relocation support (amounts depend on the employer). Recent X posts show active recruitment in places like Leeds, Lewes, and East Kent, with Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) up for grabs.
Debunking the Misinformation
That TikTok influencer probably mixed up registered nurses with nursing auxiliaries (SOC 6131), lower-skilled roles that can only be sponsored where registered nurses work. But you, as a registered nurse, aren’t held back by that rule. The new RQF Level 6 threshold, which cut about 180 lower-skilled jobs from sponsorship, doesn’t touch nurses—you’re already at graduate level. Those WhatsApp rumors about salaries? They’re outdated. Band 5 nurses earn well above the £25,000 minimum, and the UK needs you too much to let a few pounds stand in the way.
Why You’re Needed in the UK
The NHS is powered by overseas nurses. In 2022–23, half of new Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registrants came from abroad, filling gaps in mental health, pediatrics, intensive care, and more. You’re not just filling a role—you’re saving lives, holding hands, bringing hope. Employers know this, offering support like visa processing, training for the NMC’s CBT and OSCE, and help settling into the UK.
Imagine being Sade, a nurse in Lagos, studying for her CBT, saving for her visa, reassuring her family she’ll be okay. Then she sees that TikTok video claiming her dream is dead. Her heart sinks—until she learns the truth: the UK is begging for nurses like her. You’re Sade. You’re every nurse in Lagos, Delhi, or Nairobi dreaming of making a difference. Don’t let myths stop you.
The Real Challenges
Let’s be honest—the journey isn’t all smooth. NMC registration means passing the CBT in your home country and the OSCE in the UK within 12 weeks of starting work. You’ll need English proficiency (think IELTS or OET) and criminal record checks for roles with vulnerable people. Some nurses face workplace challenges like unfair treatment, as the Royal College of Nursing has pointed out, which is why we need better support and fair pay for all migrant nurses. But these hurdles don’t change the fact that sponsorship is open and achievable.
How to Make It Happen
You’re ready to chase this dream? Here’s your game plan for 2025:
- Land a Job: Hit up NHS Jobs, trusted agencies, or hospitals with sponsor licences. They’re looking for you.
- NMC Registration: Nail the CBT at home, then the OSCE in the UK. Employers often provide training support.
- Apply for the Visa: Use your CoS, prove your English skills, and submit documents via GOV.UK. The visa costs £284 (up to 3 years) or £551 (over 3 years), with no Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Ignore the Noise: Stick to official sources like GOV.UK or Fellownurses.com, not social media rants.
Conclusion: Nurses Are Global Heroes
Nurses are the soul of healthcare, and the UK needs you—now and always. The July 22, 2025, immigration rules don’t block registered nurses (SOC 2231). You meet the RQF Level 6 standard, clear the £25,000 salary threshold, and qualify for the Health and Care Worker Visa. Don’t let group chats or TikTok scare you off. Your skills, your heart, your courage—they’re in demand. The NHS and private providers are ready to support you with sponsorship, training, and a chance to shine. After five years, you could even apply for indefinite leave to remain.
You’re a global nurse, a lifesaver, a dream-chaser. The UK is waiting. Go get it.
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