Work in New Zealand
Migration pathway for Nigerian healthcare professionals
Processing Time
6 to 18 months
Estimated Cost
N6M to N15M
Primary Exam
NZREX Clinical / Competence Assessment
Visa
Green List / Skilled Migrant Category / Employer-Assisted Work Visa
Overview
New Zealand offers excellent quality of life and actively recruits healthcare professionals to address workforce shortages. The Medical Council of New Zealand and Nursing Council of New Zealand oversee registration. Regional and rural areas have the highest demand.
Step-by-Step Pathway
Choose your cadre to see the specific pathway.
English language test (IELTS Academic or OET)
IELTS Academic with minimum 7.5 overall and 7.0 in each band, or OET B grade. New Zealand has some of the highest English requirements.
MCNZ Registration pathway assessment
Apply to the Medical Council of New Zealand for registration. They assess your qualifications and determine your pathway (NZREX Clinical exam or supervised practice).
NZREX Clinical Examination
OSCE-style exam with clinical stations. Must be taken in New Zealand. Tests clinical skills in a New Zealand healthcare context.
Provisional registration and supervised practice
Work under supervision for 12 to 24 months at an accredited hospital. This is a required part of the registration pathway.
Full MCNZ registration
After satisfactory supervised practice, apply for a general scope of practice (full registration).
Skilled Migrant Category visa
Apply for residence through the Skilled Migrant Category or employer-assisted work visa. Healthcare professionals are on the Green List for fast-track residency.
Cost Breakdown
All costs shown in both foreign currency and Nigerian Naira (2026 estimates).
| Item | Cost (Foreign) | Cost (Naira) |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / OET | NZD 400 | N280,000 |
| MCNZ Application (Doctors) | NZD 1,000 | N700,000 |
| NZREX Clinical (Doctors) | NZD 5,500 | N3,850,000 |
| Nursing Council Assessment | NZD 600 | N420,000 |
| CAP Programme (Nurses) | NZD 2,000 | N1,400,000 |
| Visa Application | NZD 700+ | N490,000+ |
| Flights (Lagos to Auckland) | NZD 2,500+ | N1,750,000+ |
Exams Required
NZREX Clinical
Not available in NigeriaOSCE-style clinical exam with multiple stations testing history-taking, examination, diagnosis, and management in a New Zealand context.
Key Requirements
- ✓Medical or nursing degree from a recognised institution
- ✓Full MDCN or NMCN registration
- ✓IELTS 7.0+ in each band (doctors 7.5 overall) or OET B
- ✓Certificate of Good Standing
- ✓Police clearance from all countries lived in for 12+ months
- ✓Medical and chest X-ray clearance
- ✓Valid passport
Visa: Green List / Skilled Migrant Category / Employer-Assisted Work Visa
New Zealand's Green List offers straight-to-residence for in-demand occupations including doctors, nurses, and midwives. The Skilled Migrant Category uses a points-based system. Employer-assisted work visas are also available. Healthcare professionals benefit from streamlined processing. Permanent residency can be achieved in 2 to 5 years depending on the visa category.
Tips for Nigerian Professionals
- ◆New Zealand has the highest per-band IELTS requirements. Writing and Speaking at 7.0+ requires significant preparation.
- ◆The Green List for nurses means you can get residency much faster than most other visa categories.
- ◆Rural and regional areas offer the best job opportunities and often provide relocation assistance.
- ◆Cost of living in Auckland is high but other cities like Christchurch, Wellington, and Hamilton are more affordable.
- ◆New Zealand has a small but growing Nigerian community, particularly in Auckland.
- ◆The healthcare system is publicly funded (similar to the NHS) so the practice environment will feel familiar.
Verify before you act
Exam fees, visa costs, and requirements change frequently. The information on this page was last reviewed in April 2026. Always confirm fees and requirements directly with the official body before making payments or decisions.
Exchange rates are approximate and fluctuate daily.
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