Midwifery Recruitment – United Kingdom
All applicants waiting looking for international midwifery opportunities must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
To be accepted for registration applicants must have successfully completed an approved programme of midwifery education and must also meet the NMC requirements of good health and good character.
Since October 2014, individuals who trained outside of the UK or EEA and meet all the minimum requirements set by the NMC, need to successfully complete a 2-part application process.
- Part one – a computer based multiple-choice examination which will be accessible in many countries around the world for applicants to access in their home countries.
- Part two – a practical objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) which will always be held in the UK.
This process does not require applicants to complete a period of supervised practice.
English Proficiency:
Midwives trained outside of the UK must also meet the English language standards set by the NMC. Demonstrated by:
- Successfully completing a language test such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)- a minimum overall level of 7 is required, a level 6.5 in writing will be accepted alongside a level 7 in reading, listening and speaking
- Successfully completing the Occupational English Test (OET)- minimum of a level B
- Providing evidence that their pre-registration nursing programme was taught and examined in English and
Points-based immigration system:
The Home Office (of which UKVI is a part) is responsible for governing the way individuals from outside the EEA can work, train or study in the UK.
A new points-based immigration system was introduced in January 2021 with parts of it in place towards the end of 2020. The system provides a route for both EEA and non-EEA nationals to work, train or study in the UK if they meet the eligibility criteria.
This points-based system has largely replaced the previous tiered system. It applies to everyone from outside of the UK looking for healthcare jobs, who wishes to live and work here, apart from people from the Republic of Ireland and individuals who were already in the UK by 31 December 2020.
A Health and Care Worker visa (tier 2) allows health and care professionals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care.
Applications are assessed using a points system that is intended to only allow entry to those whose skills will benefit the UK. The number of points required, and the way the points are awarded, depends on the category under which individuals apply, but reflect:
- A job offer
- Skill level
- Language competence
- Qualifications
- Other set criteria
Biometric residence permits
Issued to foreign nationals, a biometric residence permit (BRP) is a card which holds your biographic details (name, date and place of birth), your ‘biometric information’ (fingerprints and digital facial image) and shows your immigration status and your entitlements while you are in the UK.
Individuals are issued a BRP automatically when they apply for a visa or immigration. A sticker or vignette, valid for 30 days, is issued in passports, allowing enough time to travel to the UK. On arrival, you will have ten days to collect your BRP from a post office branch, as specified in your decision letter.
As part of recruitment practice in the NHS, verification of identity checks is used to determine that an identity is genuine and that it belongs to the individual presenting it.
BRP cards can be used to verify identity and complete this check.