Kenya leads Africa in nurse migration to US, new report shows
In comparison, Ghana and Nigeria contribute 3.7 per cent and 4.7 per cent of the applications, respectively.
A new report has revealed that Kenya is Africa's top source of migrant nurses to the United States.
According to the 2024 TruMerit Nurse Migration Report, Kenya accounts for 6.5 per cent of all African applicants seeking the US VisaScreen (VS) certification, a mandatory requirement for foreign-trained nurses and health workers to work in the US.
In comparison, Ghana and Nigeria contribute 3.7 per cent and 4.7 per cent of the applications, respectively. Collectively, the three countries account for 15 per cent of African applicants in a year when over 24,700 healthcare professionals globally sought migration to the US.
Globally, the Philippines leads with 51.3 per cent of all applicants, followed by Canada (8 per cent), India (3.1 per cent), Nepal (2.8 per cent), Iran (0.9 per cent), and the United States (3.7 per cent). Kenya ranks third overall, while all other countries jointly account for 13.6 per cent of the total applications.
Hospitals in rural and underserved areas of the United States depend heavily on foreign-trained nurses to address urgent staffing shortages.
"VisaScreen® certificate applications remain largely concentrated among applicants, with 92 per cent of all applicants being educated in the top 10 countries and over 50 per cent being educated in the Philippines. Canada ranks second overall with 8 per cent, and Kenya is in third place with 7 per cent," the report reads.
"The US ranks sixth overall, having dropped from third in 2023, reflecting the number of healthcare professionals that have been educated in the US but still require a visa to practice in the country."
The report adds that 86 per cent of VS certificates were granted to registered nurses in the period under review, while 12 per cent went to clinical laboratory scientists.
Physical therapists accounted for less than 1 per cent, and the remaining 1 per cent included licensed practical nurses, clinical lab technicians, occupational therapists, audiologists, physician assistants and speech-language pathologists.
VisaScreen applicants are required to provide passing English language test scores, unless they were educated or have substantial work experience in designated English-speaking countries.
"In 2024, VisaScreen® application volumes declined from the peaks of the previous year. This decrease reflects a normalisation following the rollover of unused US visas during the COVID-19 pandemic," the report reads.
"Despite this, application levels remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic figures, underscoring sustained interest in international mobility among healthcare professionals. This enduring demand highlights the continued appeal of nurse migration as a pathway for career advancement and economic opportunity."
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