Best Destination To Immigrate to as a Healthcare Worker

For doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, the world is full of opportunity. But with so many countries actively recruiting, how do you choose the best destination for your career, lifestyle, and future? The right country balances a high salary with a straightforward path to permanent residence and a manageable licensing process.

This definitive 2025 guide ranks the top countries for healthcare worker immigration based on three critical factors: Salary Potential, Ease of Permanent Residence (PR), and Licensing Process Simplicity.

How We Ranked the Countries

We evaluated each destination on a 5-star scale across three key pillars:

• 💰 Salary & Benefits: Average compensation, overtime potential, and benefits like paid leave.
• 🛂 PR Pathway: How clear, fast, and reliable the immigration pathway is for skilled healthcare workers.
• 📜 Ease of Licensing: The complexity, cost, and duration of converting your credentials to work in that country.

1. Canada: The All-Round Champion

Overall Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Canada remains a top contender due to its aggressive immigration strategy aimed directly at filling healthcare shortages nationwide.

• 💰 Salary & Benefits: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
  • Registered Nurses: CA$70,000 – CA$100,000+
  • General Practitioners: CA$200,000 – CA$300,000+
  • Why it’s great: Strong public healthcare system, unionised positions, and good benefits. Slightly lower base salaries than in the US, but balanced by a lower cost of living in many regions.
• 🛂 PR Pathway: ★★★★★ (5/5)
  • Why it’s #1: Canada has the most straightforward and welcoming immigration system.
  • Express Entry Healthcare Draws: Targeted invitations for healthcare workers with lower score requirements.
  • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Dedicated streams for doctors and nurses in almost every province (e.g., Ontario, British Columbia).
  • Permanent residence is often granted upfront, providing immediate stability.
• 📜 Ease of Licensing: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
  • The process is well-structured but can be lengthy and expensive.
  • For Nurses: Requires passing the NCLEX-RN and applying through the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) and a provincial college.
  • For Doctors: Involves exams through the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) and a residency match, which is highly competitive for specialists.
  • Pro Tip: Start the licensing process 1-2 years before you plan to move.

2. Australia: The High-Earning Paradise

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

Australia offers fantastic salaries and an incredible quality of life, though its licensing can be a significant hurdle.

• 💰 Salary & Benefits: ★★★★★ (5/5)
  • Registered Nurses: AU$75,000 – AU$110,000+
  • General Practitioners: AU$250,000 – AU$350,000+
  • Why it’s great: Some of the highest healthcare salaries in the world, strong worker protections, and generous paid time off.
• 🛂 PR Pathway: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
  • The General Skilled Migration program and state-nominated visas provide clear pathways.
  • Healthcare occupations are consistently on the priority skills lists.
  • The process is points-based and competitive, but invitations are frequent for health professionals.
• 📜 Ease of Licensing: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
  • This is Australia’s main challenge. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has rigorous standards.
  • Requires a thorough assessment of qualifications and often a period of supervised practice.
  • Can be a time-consuming and costly process, but it’s very well-organised.

3. United Arab Emirates (UAE): The Tax-Free Haven

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

The UAE (especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi) offers a unique blend of tax-free income, luxury, and a high-paced, international environment.

• 💰 Salary & Benefits: ★★★★★ (5/5)
  • Registered Nurses: AED 120,000 – AED 180,000+ (US$32,000 – US$49,000+) Note: Often tax-free and includes accommodation allowances.
  • Specialist Doctors: AED 360,000 – AED 600,000+ (US$98,000 – US$163,000+) tax-free.
  • Why it’s great: No income tax, lucrative benefits packages that often include free housing, flight allowances, and private health insurance.
• 🛂 PR Pathway: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
  • The UAE has recently introduced long-term residency visas (Golden Visas) for professionals, including healthcare specialists.
  • However, it is not a pathway to citizenship, and residency is typically tied to employment.
  • It’s best for those seeking to work abroad for a defined period to maximise savings.
• 📜 Ease of Licensing: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
  • Requires passing a licensing exam like the HAAD (Health Authority Abu Dhabi) or DHA (Dubai Health Authority) exam.
  • The process is generally faster and more straightforward than in Western countries, but requires thorough document attestation.

4. United Kingdom: The Structured & Historic System

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is a world-renowned institution that provides a structured career path and excellent training.

• 💰 Salary & Benefits: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
  • Registered Nurses (NHS Band 5): £28,000 – £35,000
  • General Practitioners: £65,000 – £98,000+
  • Why it’s great: Strong professional development, defined career bands, and a powerful pension scheme. Salaries are lower than in North America/Australia, but are balanced by strong worker rights.
• 🛂 PR Pathway: ★★★★★ (5/5)
  • The Health and Care Worker visa is one of the best in the world for the profession.
  • It offers reduced application fees, fast processing, and most importantly, exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), saving thousands of pounds.
  • Leads to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after 5 years.
• 📜 Ease of Licensing: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
  • For Nurses: The Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) process involves a computer-based test (CBT) and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). It’s rigorous but very structured.
  • For Doctors: The General Medical Council (GMC) pathway involves passing the PLAB exams or demonstrating equivalent competence.

Click Here To Learn More: Ultimate Guide to Credential Assessment for Healthcare Professionals

5. New Zealand: The Lifestyle Choice

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

New Zealand is perfect for those who prioritise work-life balance, stunning nature, and a friendly culture.

• 💰 Salary & Benefits: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
  • Registered Nurses: NZ$60,000 – NZ$90,000
  • General Practitioners: NZ$120,000 – NZ$200,000+
  • Why it’s great: Unbeatable work-life balance, a focus on well-being, and a safe, beautiful environment. Salaries are lower, but the lifestyle is a key benefit.
• 🛂 PR Pathway: ★★★★★ (5/5)
  • Healthcare is consistently on the Green List, providing a direct and prioritised pathway to residency.
  • This means you can apply for residence directly from overseas or after working in New Zealand for a short period.
• 📜 Ease of Licensing: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
  • Similar to Australia, the process is managed by a central body for most professions (e.g., Nursing Council of New Zealand).
  • It requires a qualification assessment and often a competency assessment program or bridging course. The process is transparent and well-supported.

Comparison Table at a Glance (2025)

Country	Avg. Nurse Salary (USD)	PR Pathway Clarity	Licensing Difficulty	Best For
Canada	$52,000 – $75,000	Excellent	Medium	Overall stability & community
Australia	$50,000 – $73,000	Very Good	High	Maximizing earnings & adventure
UAE	$32,000 – $49,000+ (Tax-Free)	Good	Medium	Tax-free savings & luxury lifestyle
UK	$35,000 – $44,000	Excellent	Medium	Structured career & history
New Zealand	$37,000 – $55,000	Excellent	Medium	Unbeatable work-life balance

Note: Salaries are approximate and can vary widely by experience, speciality, and region.

How to Choose the Best Country for YOU

Ask yourself these questions:

1. What is your primary goal? Maximum savings (UAE), fastest PR (Canada/NZ), or career prestige (USA/Australia)?
2. What kind of lifestyle do you want? Fast-paced city (UAE, UK), outdoor adventure (NZ, Canada), or sunny beaches (Australia)?
3. How quickly do you need to be licensed? If speed is critical, the UAE or the UK may have faster processes than Canada or Australia.

Your 2025 Action Plan

• Self-Reflect: Decide on your top priorities (Salary, PR, or Lifestyle).
• Shortlist 2-3 Countries from this list that match your goals.
• Research Licensing Bodies: Visit the official websites for your profession in those countries.
• Check Immigration Portals: Look at the official immigration websites (e.g., IRCC for Canada, Home Office for UK) to understand visa requirements.
• Start the Process: Begin credential evaluation and language testing for your top-choice country.

The global demand for your skills guarantees that you have excellent options. By focusing on the factors that matter most to you, you can make an informed decision and embark on a successful international healthcare career in 2025.

The world needs your skills. Where will you take them?