Overseas nurses

UNISON is the UK’s largest healthcare union. We are proud of the diversity within our overseas nurses and to have them as stewards and representatives.

Overseas nurses make an enormous contribution to the NHS and social care and are our valued and respected colleagues.

We understand there are many challenges and difficulties facing overseas nurses working in the UK. Our campaigns cover the key issues impacting our overseas nursing staff and students including:

Racism in the NHS: we campaign strongly against racism in the NHS to make sure there is a culture of respect for all.
Simplifying the registration process for overseas nurses: we continue to address this at national level to make sure the processes for registration and training for overseas nurses are fair, efficient and sensitive.
Challenging the Immigration Health Surcharge: the added health surcharge for overseas workers in the UK is unfair and counter-productive, especially for nurses working in the NHS who already pay their taxes and contribute so much to our health service. UNISON is committed to abolishing this tax.
Ending the Hostile Environment: UNISON understand the UK immigration system is often hostile and difficult to understand. We work with the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants to provide free telephone advice to all our members.

How can UNISON support you:

We run monthly overseas nursing webinars for new joiners to the UK, which are regularly advertised here:

Welcoming Overseas Nurses to UNISON webinars

We strongly encourage you to join the Overseas Nurse’s Network.

The overseas nurse’s network sits in the health group but is facilitated by overseas nurses themselves. The network aims to connect overseas nurses for mutual support, to offer expertise to UNISON and to provide a safe space for individuals to share their experiences.

Please email the Health Group to be added to our mailing list: h.group@unison.co.uk

If you have been a member of UNISON for more than four weeks and need immigration advice and information, please call UNISON Direct at 0800 0 857 857

This spring, UNISON is launching its first learning and development programme, specifically designed for overseas nurses and midwives.

Find out more about the programme here.

Related Links:

UNISON Migrant Worker Network

UNISON College

There for You (UNISON Welfare)

Immigration advice (JCWI)