UK Visa from Philippines 2026 - NHS Nursing & Skilled Worker Guide

The UK is the number two destination for Filipino nurses after the US, and NHS trusts recruit directly from Manila. English-language education, a large Filipino community, and the low-cost Health & Care visa make the United Kingdom one of the most accessible Western destinations.

To work as a nurse in the UK you must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). There are three steps:

1. CBT (Computer-Based Test): taken in Manila at Pearson VUE (Ortigas / Makati). Cost £83 (~₱6K), pass rate around 70%. Two parts - nursing knowledge and clinical decision-making.
2. OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination): six stations, taken in the UK. Most employers pay flights, accommodation, and the exam fee. Pass rate around 85%.
3. NMC registration: once both exams are passed, you become a registered UK nurse. Cost £120 (~₱8.5K).

• Visa fee £284 (~₱20K), versus £1,400 for a standard Skilled Worker visa.
• NO Immigration Health Surcharge - this exemption saves ₱220K+ over a five-year visa.
• Minimum salary £29,000; nurses qualify for the Immigration Salary List discount.
• Dependants - spouse and children - can come with you.
• Settlement (ILR) after 5 years. The UK White Paper proposes extending this to 10 years, so apply sooner rather than later.

Filipino IT specialists, engineers, teachers, and other professionals use the standard Skilled Worker visa. You need a job offer from a licensed sponsor and a salary that meets the threshold (generally £41,700, with lower rates for shortage roles and new entrants).

Check your eligibility with the UK Skilled Worker checker and the salary threshold checker.

• NHS Jobs (jobs.nhs.uk) - filter for visa sponsorship; 200+ trusts recruit internationally.
• Recruitment agencies popular with Filipino nurses: ASC Global, Medacs, HireRight, Pulse - many handle flights and OSCE.
• Direct NHS trust recruitment events held in Manila.
• For non-nursing roles, search the gov.uk register of licensed sponsors and filter "visa sponsorship" on Reed and Indeed.

Read UK visa sponsorship jobs 2026 and visa sponsorship jobs for nurses.

1. Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your UK employer.
2. Complete the online visa application and pay the fee.
3. Book a biometrics appointment at VFS Global Manila.
4. Submit your TB test certificate from an IOM-approved clinic.
5. Receive a decision - Health & Care visa decisions typically arrive within 3 weeks.

Filipinos can study in the UK on a Student visa with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed university. The 2-year Graduate visa then allows you to work and switch into a Skilled Worker or Health & Care visa.

1. Months 1-2: register with the NMC and book your CBT in Manila.
2. Month 2: pass the CBT; apply to NHS trusts and agencies.
3. Months 3-4: receive a job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship.
4. Month 4: apply for the Health & Care visa and complete your TB test.
5. Months 5-6: fly to the UK, sit the OSCE, complete NMC registration, and start work.