Immigration routes for midwifes

Midwifery routes overlap with nursing but require separate regulator approval — NMC for the UK (with a Test of Competence specifically for midwives), AHPRA for Australia, CMRC for provincial recognition in Canada, ACNM for the US, and Hebamme-Berufszulassung in Germany. Most destinations list midwives on healthcare shortage routes.

Also searched as: registered midwife, RM, certified nurse-midwife, community midwife.

What decides which route fits

Healthcare roles are regulated almost everywhere, so a visa is only half the story: in most countries you also need to clear a separate registration or licensing step — a nursing or medical board exam, or formal recognition of your qualification — before you can practise. Each destination guide below names the body involved.

By destination

Frequently asked questions

Do midwifes need a job offer to work abroad?+

It depends on the route. Many countries offer skilled-migration or self-employment routes that do not require a job offer up front, while employer-sponsored work visas do. The country guides below flag which of each destination's routes need a sponsor.

Which countries have visa routes for midwifes?+

We map midwife routes across all 178 full-coverage destinations we cover, and 58 currently have at least one route that fits midwifes directly. Open any country below for its specific routes and official sources.

Do midwifes need to requalify to work in another country?+

Usually, yes. Midwifes must typically pass a destination-specific registration or licensing step — a board exam or formal qualification recognition — in addition to the visa. The exact body and process vary by country, and each destination guide below names them.