Why it’s easier, faster, and cheaper for a nurse from Russia to move abroad than for a doctor

The central hypothesis of this analysis is that the employment and immigration path for nurses from Russia is considerably faster and cheaper than the equivalent path for doctors. To test this hypothesis, we need to directly compare the complexity, cost, and timelines for both professions.

Doctor vs. nurse

At a glance, the licensing processes for doctors and nurses might seem similar: credential evaluation, language and professional exams, and finally, obtaining a license. However, a deeper analysis reveals a fundamental difference that dramatically changes the level of difficulty and risk involved.

The key difference: No ‘residency match’

The most difficult and unpredictable barrier for a foreign doctor is securing a spot in a postgraduate training program—known as Residency in the US and Canada, the Internship/Foundation Programme in the UK, or Weiterbildung in Germany. The number of residency positions is strictly limited, and competition is fierce, especially for international medical graduates (IMGs), who are often given lower priority than local or EU candidates. Failing to secure a match can render years of preparation and thousands of dollars spent on exams worthless.

For nurses, no such barrier exists. The licensing process, whether it involves the NMC exams in the UK or the Anerkennung procedure in Germany, leads directly to a license and the right to practice independently. This removes the riskiest and most competitive step, making the entire journey significantly more predictable.

The burden of exams

While nurses must pass challenging professional exams like the NCLEX or an OSCE, the volume and cost are not comparable to the multi-year, multi-step series of exams required for doctors. For example, to practice in the US, a doctor must pass the USMLE series (Step 1, Step 2 CK, OET). Preparing for these can take several years and cost thousands of dollars in registration fees and study materials alone. A nurse’s examination path is typically much shorter and significantly less expensive.

In short, the path for a nurse is objectively simpler and less risky because it bypasses the most significant hurdle: the competition for a limited number of postgraduate training positions.

The financial breakdown of relocation

The table below provides a summary of estimated costs for the four countries discussed, based on 2025 projections. All amounts are in local currency and have been converted to Euros for comparison.

Table 1: Estimated costs for the licensing and relocation process (2025 forecast)

Expense category	United Kingdom	Canada	Australia	Germany
Credential evaluation	—	NNAS: C$750	ANMAC: ~A$500	—
Language exams	IELTS/OET: ~£230	IELTS: ~C$300	IELTS/OET: ~A$410	Goethe B2/TestDaF: ~€200
Professional exams	CBT: £83, OSCE: £794	NCLEX/CPNRE: ~C$400	NCLEX: ~A450,OSCE:A4,000	Kenntnisprüfung (if required): ~€200-€500
Registration fees	NMC: £140 (eval) + £153 (reg)	Provincial College: ~C$340-480	AHPRA: ~A640(eval)+ A185 (annual)	Anerkennung: €180-€600
Translation & notarization	~£200	~C$500	~A$500	~€500
Visa fees	Health & Care Visa: £590	Express Entry PR: C$1,525	Skilled Visa: ~A$4,640	Skilled Worker Visa: ~€100
Proof of funds	£1,270	~C$13,757 (1 person)	—	Blocked Account (if applicable): ~€11,208
TOTAL LICENSING COST (EUR)	~€1,450	~€1,100	~€3,600	~€1,100
TOTAL RELOCATION COST (EUR)	~€3,650	~€11,200	~€6,500	~€12,500

Note: These calculations are estimates. «Licensing cost» includes credential evaluation, exams, registration fees, and translation. «Total relocation cost» includes all expenses required to move. The proof of funds amount for Germany applies to a job-seeker visa and may not be required if you already have an employment contract.

A comparison of these estimates shows that the direct costs of the licensing process in the UK, Canada, and Germany are comparable, ranging from €1,100 to €1,500. Australia is a significant outlier due to its expensive OSCE exam (A$4,000). However, the picture changes when all immigration costs are included. Canada and Germany require substantial proof of funds, making them more capital-intensive at the outset.

Timelines

The time it takes from starting the process to being able to work is a critical factor.

United Kingdom: The process is the most straightforward and can take 1 to 1.5 years. This includes preparing for and passing the CBT, finding a job, obtaining a visa, and passing the OSCE within 12 weeks of arrival.
Germany: The Anerkennung (recognition) procedure takes 3-4 months after all documents are submitted. If an adaptation program is required, it can add up to 12 months. Factoring in the time to learn German to a B2 level, the total timeline is 1.5 to 2 years.
Australia: Credential evaluation with AHPRA/ANMAC takes 4 to 10 weeks. The subsequent process of submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) and waiting for a visa invitation can take 6 to 12 months or more. The total timeline is 1.5 to 2 years.
Canada: This is the longest path, realistically taking 2 to 3 years. The NNAS assessment alone can take up to 12 months, followed by provincial registration and another 6-12 months waiting in the Express Entry pool.

Decision-making matrix

This matrix provides a quick comparison of the key factors for each country, helping you align them with your personal goals.

Table 2: Comparison of immigration paths for nurses

Criterion	United Kingdom	Canada	Australia	Germany
Main regulator	NMC	NNAS + Provincial College	AHPRA / ANMAC	State Nursing Board (Landesamt für Pflege)
Key visa	Health and Care Worker Visa	Express Entry (PNP)	Skilled Visas (189, 190, 491)	Skilled Worker Visa / EU Blue Card
Language level	English (IELTS 7.0 / OET B)	English (CLB 7+)	English (IELTS 7.0 / OET B)	German (B2 CEFR)
Average time to licensure	1 — 1.5 years	2 — 3 years	1.5 — 2 years	1.5 — 2 years
Average licensing cost (EUR)	~€1,450	~€1,100	~€3,600	~€1,100
Starting salary (gross, EUR)	~€36,000	~€52,000	~€50,000	~€36,000
Main barrier	OSCE exam	Lengthy, multi-step process	Points system, OSCE cost	Language barrier, bureaucracy

Economic feasibility

Potential income is a key factor in any relocation decision. It’s important to consider not just starting salaries but also long-term financial potential and the wage gap between nurses and doctors.

Table 3: Comparison of average annual gross salaries (2025): general practitioner vs. nurse (in EUR)

Profession	United Kingdom	Canada	Australia	Germany
Nurse (entry-level)	~€36,000	~€52,000	~€50,000	~€36,000
Nurse (experienced)	~€50,000	~€70,000	~€75,000	~€55,000
General practitioner	~€110,000	~€175,000	~€160,000	~€80,000

Sources: Salaries are estimates converted to EUR for comparison.

This analysis shows that Canada and Australia offer the highest income levels for nurses at both early-career and experienced stages. The UK and Germany offer comparable starting salaries that still provide a good standard of living. Notably, the income gap between a doctor and an experienced nurse is smaller in Germany than in the anglophone countries, where doctors earn 2.5 to 3.5 times more.

Final recommendations

Based on this analysis, we can suggest ideal candidate profiles for a specialist from Russia.

The «Sprinter» (priority: speed and predictability)

For this profile, the United Kingdom is the best choice. The path through the NMC and NHS is the most straightforward and potentially the fastest (1–1.5 years). While it requires intense preparation for standardized exams and a job offer, its structure is the most transparent.

The «Pragmatist» (priority: minimizing initial costs)

For candidates on a tight budget, Germany is the most suitable option. The absence of expensive professional exams (aside from a possible Kenntnisprüfung) makes this the most affordable path at the licensing stage. However, it requires the most significant investment of time and effort to learn German to an advanced level.

The «Marathoner» (priority: maximum income and quality of life)

For those willing to undertake a longer, more bureaucratic process in exchange for the highest salaries and quality of life, Australia and Canada are the optimal choices. These paths require the largest initial financial investment and take the most time, but they offer the highest long-term financial potential and broad opportunities for career growth.

Егор Кугно