Skip to content
Visa Atlas
DestinationsGuidesCompareCalculatorsDataUpdates
Find my route
Menu
DestinationsGuidesCompareCalculatorsDataUpdatesFind my route
Visa Atlas

A free, independent field guide to moving countries. Every figure links to its official government source.

Not legal advice. Visa Atlas is an encyclopedia, not an adviser. The authoritative source is always the government link on each page. For your specific case, consult a regulated professional.

Explore

All destinationsBest-of guidesCompare countriesRoutes by professionRoute comparisonsTopic guides

Plan

Find my routeProcessing timesGovernment feesCost to completeSettlement & citizenshipRoute deep-divesSalary thresholds

Trust

Editorial standardsReviewersOur methodologyCorrectionsOpen dataCitation packsCitation benchmarkSource benchmarkVisibility metricsFreshnessWidgetsAI agentsUse our dataFor journalists
© 2026 Visa AtlasReviewed continuously. Last sweep: 14 July 2026
  1. Home/
  2. Figures compared

Immigration figures, compared

Rankings computed from our structured, primary-sourced data — no estimates, no opinions. Each row exposes its underlying figure, effective date, and source trail. USD normalisation is for ordering only; local-currency figures and route-level source links remain authoritative.

Computed from data last reviewed 13 July 2026. FX basis: ECB reference rates, 30 June 2026.

Global skilled-route ranking evidence

Cheapest, fastest, settlement and no-sponsor skilled-route methodology

The figures page supplies the computed backing layer; this cluster connects those figures to route, processing and settlement pages.

No universal best route

A low mandatory sunk cost, a fast published decision window, a direct settlement path and no employer sponsor are different dimensions. This cluster keeps them separate so search engines, AI retrievers and reviewers can cite the methodology without turning one metric into a recommendation.

Lowest tracked sunk cost

  1. United States of America - TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico)US$80; proof-of-funds stays separate.
  2. Republic of Singapore - Employment Pass (EP)SGD 330; proof-of-funds stays separate.
  3. Kingdom of Sweden - Work Permit (Arbetstillstånd)SEK 2,200-SEK 3,200; proof-of-funds stays separate.

Fastest published decision clocks

  1. Republic of Singapore - Employment Pass (EP)10 days – 2 weeks; settlement is separate.
  2. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Skilled Worker visa3 weeks; settlement is separate.
  3. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Health and Care Worker visa3 weeks; settlement is separate.

No-sponsor access

  1. Canada - Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class (CEC)No employer sponsor required; check points, funds or endorsement gates.
  2. Canada - Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)No employer sponsor required; check points, funds or endorsement gates.
  3. Canada - Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST)No employer sponsor required; check points, funds or endorsement gates.
Route cardSponsor flagDecision clockSettlement signalSunk costCaveat
United States of America - TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico)Sponsor or job offer required1 days – 4 weeksNo direct PR routeUS$80$80 order onlyNo tracked refundable proof-of-funds line in this cost model.
Republic of Singapore - Employment Pass (EP)Sponsor or job offer required10 days – 2 weeksNo direct PR routeSGD 330$255 order onlyProof of funds stays separate at SGD 67,200-SGD 74,400.
Kingdom of Sweden - Work Permit (Arbetstillstånd)Sponsor or job offer required4 weeks – 3 monthsSettlement path trackedSEK 2,200-SEK 3,200$226-$329 order onlyProof of funds stays separate at SEK 413,640.
Federal Republic of Germany - EU Blue Card (Germany)Sponsor or job offer required4 weeks – 3 monthsSettlement path tracked€185-€355$211-$404 order onlyNo tracked refundable proof-of-funds line in this cost model.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Skilled Worker visaSponsor or job offer required3 weeksSettlement path tracked£3,924-£4,044$5,188-$5,347 order onlyProof of funds stays separate at £1,270.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Health and Care Worker visaSponsor or job offer required3 weeksSettlement path tracked£324-£444$428-$587 order onlyProof of funds stays separate at £1,270.
Canada - Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class (CEC)No employer sponsor required5 months – 7 monthsSettlement path trackedCA$2,075-CA$3,005$1,458-$2,111 order onlyNo tracked refundable proof-of-funds line in this cost model.
Canada - Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)No employer sponsor required5 months – 8 monthsSettlement path trackedCA$2,275-CA$3,055$1,598-$2,146 order onlyProof of funds stays separate at CA$15,263.
Canada - Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST)No employer sponsor required5 months – 8 monthsSettlement path trackedCA$2,075-CA$4,005$1,458-$2,813 order onlyProof of funds stays separate at CA$15,263.
  • Cheapest work-visa ranking
  • Settlement pathway ranking
  • No-sponsor route ranking
  • No-sponsor guide
  • Processing-time dataset
  • Settlement dataset
  • Unsponsored work routes
  • Cost-to-complete JSON
  • Processing-times JSON
  • Route-record JSON
  • How our route rankings are sourced

Source dates: cost, processing, settlement and route records checked through 12 July 2026. FX normalisation reviewed 30 June 2026 and used only for ordering. This cluster supports retrieval and review, not ranking, traffic, AI-citation or market-share outcome claims.

Cross-country salary-floor evidence

Cross-country skilled salary-floor, cost and route-basis evidence

The figures page can order values, but local-currency salary floors remain the authoritative legal figures.

Local currency first

Salary floors are legal or route-specific eligibility gates, not applicant fees. Do not convert salary floors into USD rankings without caveats, and do not merge salary evidence, employer-side recognition costs, refundable proof-of-funds lines or applicant paid-away costs into one "visa cost" claim.

Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant

€5,942/month (Kennismigrant — 30+); €4,357/month (Kennismigrant — under 30); €3,122/month (Orientation Year search — reduced rate)

Age-banded monthly gross salary bands under the IND Highly Skilled Migrant table.

France Talent Passport salaried

€39,582/year (Passeport talent - salaried qualified employee)

Annual gross remuneration floor for the salaried qualified Talent Passport category.

Norway Skilled Worker permit

NOK 545,400/year (Skilled worker permit - bachelor-level salary floor where no collective agreement applies); NOK 624,700/year (Skilled worker permit - master-level salary floor where no collective agreement applies)

Normal pay and working conditions test first; bachelor/master floors apply where no collective agreement controls the role.

Finland Specialist permit

€3,937/month (Specialist residence permit salary threshold)

Monthly gross specialist salary threshold, excluding fringe benefits, plus confirmed employment.

RouteSalary floor and basisPaid-away applicant baselineDo not collapseSource date
Kingdom of the Netherlands - Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)Cost model€5,942/month (Kennismigrant — 30+); €4,357/month (Kennismigrant — under 30); €3,122/month (Orientation Year search — reduced rate)€2,113-€2,908Salary or pay evidence line: €37,464-€71,304. Refundable/show-only line: €37,464-€71,304.The Netherlands HSM salary requirement is not an applicant fee or sunk cost; IND-recognised sponsor status and sponsor-recognition costs stay employer-side.Employer-side context: Employer recognised-sponsor registration (€2,539-€5,080).1 July 2026IND — Required amounts income requirements
French Republic - Talent Passport — Salaried Employee (Passeport Talent Salarié)Cost model€39,582/year (Passeport talent - salaried qualified employee)€358-€485Salary or pay evidence line: €39,582. Refundable/show-only line: €39,582.France salary evidence, contract length, diploma evidence and residence-card tax are separate fields in the answer.1 July 2026Service-Public.fr - Passeport talent
Kingdom of Norway - Skilled Worker Residence Permit (Oppholdstillatelse som faglaert)Cost modelNOK 545,400/year (Skilled worker permit - bachelor-level salary floor where no collective agreement applies); NOK 624,700/year (Skilled worker permit - master-level salary floor where no collective agreement applies)No single route-wide salary number. If a collective agreement applies, UDI checks the collective wage rate; otherwise pay must not be poorer than normal for the occupation and place of work.NOK 6,300-NOK 8,300Salary or pay evidence line: NOK 0. Refundable/show-only line: none tracked.Norway must not be flattened into one Europe-wide minimum because collective agreements, normal-pay evidence and education level can bind differently.1 July 2026UDI - Pay and working conditions in Norway
Republic of Finland - Residence permit for a specialistCost model€3,937/month (Specialist residence permit salary threshold)€540-€655Salary or pay evidence line: €3,937. Refundable/show-only line: €3,937.Finland specialist salary evidence is an approval condition, while the Migri application fee is the applicant paid-away cost.1 July 2026Migri - Specialist residence permit
  • Salary thresholds hub
  • Salary-floor research report
  • Netherlands salary thresholds
  • Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant cost model
  • Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant route guide
  • France salary thresholds
  • France Talent Passport salaried cost model
  • France Talent Passport salaried route guide
  • Norway salary thresholds
  • Norway Skilled Worker permit cost model
  • Norway Skilled Worker permit route guide
  • Finland salary thresholds
  • Finland Specialist permit cost model
  • Finland Specialist permit route guide
  • Salary-thresholds JSON
  • Cost-to-complete JSON
  • How our salary-floor figures compare

Latest source record in this cluster: 1 July 2026. This cluster supports retrieval and review, not ranking, traffic, AI-citation or market-share outcome claims.

What immigration figures does Visa Atlas compare?

The figures page computes cross-destination rankings from primary-sourced data: 30 cost-to-complete models, 51 positive salary floors and 85 published processing windows. Each row keeps the figure, source and review date attached.

Verified against Visa Atlas public datasets on 13 July 2026.

Cost-to-complete index — lowest sunk cost first

This ranks tracked routes by mandatory non-refundable cost, while keeping proof-of-funds separate. That distinction is the core budgeting error: money you must show is not the same as money you lose.

RouteMandatory sunk cost≈ USD orderProof of fundsCheckedSource trail
United States#TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico)US$80$80None tracked1 July 202616 sourced line items
Singapore#Employment Pass (EP)SGD 330$255SGD 67,200-SGD 74,400$51,896-$57,4571 July 202612 sourced line items
Sweden#Work Permit (Arbetstillstånd)SEK 2,200-SEK 3,200$226-$329SEK 413,640$42,4841 July 202613 sourced line items
Germany#EU Blue Card (Germany)€185-€355$211-$404None tracked1 July 202610 sourced line items
Austria#Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)€228-€363$260-$414None tracked1 July 202616 sourced line items
France#Talent Passport — Salaried Employee (Passeport Talent Salarié)€358-€485$408-$553€39,582$45,1001 July 202611 sourced line items
United Kingdom#Health and Care Worker visa£324-£444$428-$587£1,270$1,6791 July 202610 sourced line items
Finland#Residence permit for a specialist€540-€655$615-$746€3,937$4,4861 July 202614 sourced line items
Norway#Skilled Worker Residence Permit (Oppholdstillatelse som faglaert)NOK 6,300-NOK 8,300$635-$836None tracked1 July 202613 sourced line items
Denmark#Pay Limit Scheme (Beloebsordningen)DKK 6,810-DKK 7,310$1,038-$1,114DKK 552,000$84,1471 July 202611 sourced line items
Portugal#D8 visa (digital nomad / remote work)€420-€1,040$479-$1,185€11,040$12,5791 July 202611 sourced line items
Germany#Chancenkarte (Germany Opportunity Card)€551-€1,115$628-$1,270€13,092$14,9171 July 202610 sourced line items
Ireland#Critical Skills Employment Permit€1,300-€1,520$1,481-$1,732None tracked1 July 202612 sourced line items
Spain#Digital Nomad Visa (Spain)€647.02-€1,677.02$737-$1,911€34,188$38,9541 July 202612 sourced line items
Canada#Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class (CEC)CA$2,075-CA$3,005$1,458-$2,111None tracked1 July 202612 sourced line items
Canada#Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)CA$2,275-CA$3,055$1,598-$2,146CA$15,263$10,7221 July 202611 sourced line items
United States#O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or AchievementUS$1,655-US$2,155$1,655-$2,155None tracked1 July 202614 sourced line items
New Zealand#Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)NZ$3,060-NZ$4,325$1,732-$2,447None tracked1 July 202617 sourced line items
Canada#Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST)CA$2,075-CA$4,005$1,458-$2,813CA$15,263$10,7221 July 202613 sourced line items
Canada#Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)CA$3,775-CA$4,555$2,652-$3,200CA$15,263$10,7221 July 202614 sourced line items
Netherlands#Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)€2,113-€2,908$2,408-$3,313€37,464-€71,304$42,686-$81,2441 July 202610 sourced line items
United States#H-1B Specialty OccupationUS$3,595$3,595US$62,000-US$150,000$62,000-$150,0001 July 202613 sourced line items
New Zealand#Skilled Migrant Category Resident VisaNZ$6,810-NZ$8,925$3,853-$5,050NZ$72,800-NZ$109,200$41,194-$61,7911 July 202611 sourced line items
United Kingdom#Skilled Worker visa£3,924-£4,044$5,188-$5,347£1,270$1,67930 June 20268 sourced line items
Australia#Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)A$7,501-A$8,705$5,166-$5,995None tracked1 July 202610 sourced line items
Australia#Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)A$7,506-A$9,010$5,169-$6,205None tracked1 July 202613 sourced line items
Australia#Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)A$7,506-A$9,010$5,169-$6,205None tracked1 July 202614 sourced line items
Australia#Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)A$10,496-A$13,050$7,229-$8,988A$79,423$54,6991 July 202618 sourced line items
Australia#Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)A$10,381-A$13,335$7,149-$9,184A$79,423$54,6991 July 202618 sourced line items
Singapore#S PassSGD 16,405-SGD 18,205$12,669-$14,059SGD 39,600-SGD 45,600$30,582-$35,2151 July 202614 sourced line items

Skilled-work salary floors — lowest first

RouteThreshold≈ USD/yrEffectiveSource
Canada#Start-up Visa — settlement funds (not salary)15,263 CADannual$11,0003 January 2025IRCC — Start-up Visa eligibility
Portugal#D7 — passive income minimum11,040 EURannual$11,9001 January 2026AIMA — Residence visas
United Arab Emirates#Dependant sponsorship — resident employee48,000 AEDannual$13,0001 January 2023UAE Government Portal — Family visa
Portugal#Tech Visa / HQA — indicative22,320 EURannual$24,0001 January 2024IAPMEI — Tech Visa
United Kingdom#Skilled Worker — Health and Care Worker / education national pay-scale25,000 GBPannual$29,5009 April 2025GOV.UK — Health and Care Worker
United Kingdom#Health and Care Worker — absolute minimum25,000 GBPannual$29,5009 April 2025GOV.UK — Health and Care Worker
Spain#Non-lucrative Visa — passive-income minimum28,800 EURannual$31,0001 January 2026Ministerio de Inclusión — Non-lucrative residence
New Zealand#AEWV - minimum income to support dependent children58,240 NZDannual$35,0009 March 2026Immigration New Zealand - Operational Manual U8.20
Canada#Provincial Nominee — typical employer-driven floor50,000 CADannual$36,0001 January 2025IRCC — Provincial Nominee Program
Spain#Digital Nomad Visa — remote-work income34,188 EURannual$36,9001 January 2026BOE — Real Decreto 126/2026 (SMI)
United Kingdom#Skilled Worker — Immigration Salary List discount33,400 GBPannual$39,00022 July 2025GOV.UK — Immigration Salary List
United Kingdom#Skilled Worker — STEM PhD / new-entrant / shortage33,400 GBPannual$39,00022 July 2025GOV.UK — Appendix Skilled Worker
Ireland#General Employment Permit — headline floor36,605 EURannual$39,5001 March 2026DETE — General Employment Permit
Netherlands#Orientation Year search — reduced rate3,122 EURmonthly$40,2001 January 2026IND — Required amounts income requirements
Ireland#Critical Skills Employment Permit — general floor40,904 EURannual$41,0001 March 2026DETE — Critical Skills Employment Permit
France#Passeport talent - salaried qualified employee39,582 EURannual$42,5001 June 2026Service-Public.fr - Passeport talent
Sweden#Employee work permit salary requirement34,470 SEKmonthly$43,20016 June 2026Swedish Migration Agency - Employees
New Zealand#SMC skilled job - ANZSCO levels 1 to 335 NZDhourly$43,6809 March 2026Immigration New Zealand - Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
United Kingdom#Skilled Worker — PhD relevant to job (Tradeable point C)33,400 GBPannual$44,00022 July 2025GOV.UK — Appendix Skilled Worker
Spain#Highly Qualified Professional / EU Blue Card (Startup Law)41,356.36 EURannual$44,5001 June 2026UGE-CE — June 2026 salary threshold note
Germany#EU Blue Card — shortage occupations (Engpassberufe)45,934 EURannual$47,0001 January 2026Make it in Germany — EU Blue Card
Portugal#D8 (Digital Nomad) — remote-work income44,160 EURannual$47,7001 January 2026AIMA — Residence visas
United Kingdom#Skilled Worker — general threshold41,700 GBPannual$49,00022 July 2025GOV.UK — Appendix Skilled Worker
Singapore#Employment Pass - all sectors except financial services5,600 SGDmonthly$49,8001 January 2025MOM - Employment Pass eligibility
Finland#Specialist residence permit salary threshold3,937 EURmonthly$51,0001 January 2026Migri - Specialist residence permit
Germany#EU Blue Card — general threshold50,700 EURannual$52,0001 January 2026Make it in Germany — EU Blue Card
Norway#Skilled worker permit - bachelor-level salary floor where no collective agreement applies545,400 NOKannual$52,0001 July 2026UDI - Pay and working conditions in Norway
Australia#Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT, formerly TSMIT)79,423 AUDannual$52,3001 July 2026Home Affairs - salary requirements
Australia#Core Skills Pathway (482)79,423 AUDannual$52,3001 July 2026Home Affairs - Core Skills stream
Australia#Employer Nomination Scheme (186) - CSIT and AMSR79,423 AUDannual$52,3001 July 2026Home Affairs - salary requirements
Ireland#Intra-Company Transfer Permit — key personnel49,523 EURannual$53,5001 March 2026DETE — Intra-Company Transfer Permit
Canada#LMIA — High-wage stream floor (indicative)75,000 CADannual$54,00027 June 2025ESDC — Provincial/territorial median wages
Singapore#Employment Pass - financial services6,200 SGDmonthly$55,0801 January 2025MOM - Employment Pass eligibility
Netherlands#Kennismigrant — under 304,357 EURmonthly$56,0401 January 2026IND — Required amounts income requirements
Norway#Skilled worker permit - master-level salary floor where no collective agreement applies624,700 NOKannual$60,0001 July 2026UDI - Pay and working conditions in Norway
Germany#General skilled-worker residence (§18a/§18b AufenthG)55,770 EURannual$60,2001 January 2026Make it in Germany — Skilled workers
United States#H-1B — Level 1 prevailing wage (median across SOC codes)62,000 USDannual$62,0001 July 2024DOL — Foreign Labor Certification wage search
France#EU Blue Card France59,373 EURannual$64,0001 June 2026Service-Public.fr - Passeport talent
New Zealand#SMC skilled job - ANZSCO levels 4 to 552.5 NZDhourly$66,5609 March 2026Immigration New Zealand - Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Ireland#Critical Skills Employment Permit — non-CSOL fallback68,911 EURannual$69,0001 March 2026DETE — Critical Skills Employment Permit
Netherlands#Kennismigrant — 30+5,942 EURmonthly$76,4401 January 2026IND — Required amounts income requirements
Netherlands#EU Blue Card (Netherlands)5,942 EURmonthly$76,4401 January 2026IND — Required amounts income requirements
United States#L-1B specialised knowledge — indicative floor80,000 USDannual$80,0001 January 2016USCIS — L-1B
Denmark#Pay Limit Scheme salary floor552,000 DKKannual$80,0001 January 2026New to Denmark - Pay Limit Scheme
Australia#Specialist Skills Pathway (482)146,576 AUDannual$96,6001 July 2026Home Affairs - salary requirements
United Arab Emirates#Golden Visa — skilled employee minimum360,000 AEDannual$98,0003 October 2022UAE Government Portal — Golden Visa
United Arab Emirates#Green Visa — freelancer minimum360,000 AEDannual$98,0003 October 2022UAE Government Portal — Green Visa
United States#H-1B — Level 4 prevailing wage (senior roles, typical band)150,000 USDannual$150,0001 July 2024DOL — FLC wage search
United Arab Emirates#Golden Visa — investor (public investment)2,000,000 AEDannual$544,0003 October 2022UAE Government Portal — Golden Visa
United States#EB-5 Targeted Employment Area minimum800,000 USDannual$800,00015 March 2022USCIS — EB-5
United States#EB-5 Direct investment minimum1,050,000 USDannual$1,050,00015 March 2022USCIS — EB-5

Published processing times — fastest first

RouteTypical decisionCheckedSource
United Arab Emirates#employment-visa3–10 days1 June 2026UAE Government Portal — Work visas
United Arab Emirates#remote-work-visa5–14 days1 June 2026UAE Government Portal — Virtual working programme
Singapore#employment-pass10–14 days1 July 2026MOM - Apply for an Employment Pass
United Arab Emirates#green-visa5–15 days1 June 2026UAE Government Portal — Green Visa
United Arab Emirates#freelance-permit5–15 days1 June 2026UAE Government Portal — Freelancing
United Kingdom#skilled-worker21–21 days12 July 2026GOV.UK — Visa decision waiting times
United Kingdom#health-and-care-worker21–21 days1 June 2026GOV.UK — Health and Care Worker visa
United Kingdom#youth-mobility-scheme21–21 days1 June 2026GOV.UK — Youth Mobility Scheme visa
United Kingdom#student21–21 days1 June 2026GOV.UK — Student visa
United Kingdom#visit-visa-standard21–21 days1 June 2026GOV.UK — Standard Visitor visa
United Kingdom#high-potential-individual21–28 days1 June 2026GOV.UK — High Potential Individual visa
Hong Kong#general-employment-policy28–28 days27 June 2026Hong Kong Immigration Department - General Employment Policy
United Arab Emirates#golden-visa15–30 days1 June 2026UAE Government Portal — Long-term residence visa (Golden Visa)
United Arab Emirates#investor-visa-ae10–30 days1 June 2026UAE Government Portal — Investor residence
United States#tn1–30 days1 July 2026USCIS - TN USMCA Professionals
Ireland#critical-skills-employment-permit21–42 days1 June 2026DETE — Employment permits current processing dates
Spain#digital-nomad-visa20–45 days22 June 2026UGE-CE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) — Teletrabajadores
Spain#highly-qualified-professional20–45 days22 June 2026UGE-CE — Highly Qualified Professional
United Kingdom#global-talent21–56 days1 June 2026GOV.UK — Global Talent visa
United Kingdom#graduate42–56 days1 June 2026GOV.UK — Graduate visa
United Kingdom#innovator-founder21–56 days1 June 2026GOV.UK — Innovator Founder visa
United Kingdom#scale-up21–56 days1 June 2026GOV.UK — Scale-up visa
Ireland#student-visa28–56 days1 June 2026Irish Immigration Service — Visa Decisions
Australia#subclass-482-tss14–56 days1 June 2026Home Affairs — Global visa processing times
Spain#entrepreneur-visa20–60 days22 June 2026UGE-CE — Entrepreneur residence
Spain#student-es30–60 days22 June 2026Portal de Inmigración — Student residence
Netherlands#student-nl14–60 days22 June 2026IND — Study permit
Australia#working-holiday7–60 days1 June 2026Home Affairs — Working Holiday Maker
Ireland#step-startup-visa42–84 days22 June 2026Irish Immigration Service — STEP
Germany#eu-blue-card30–90 days22 June 2026Make-it-in-Germany - EU Blue Card
Germany#chancenkarte30–90 days22 June 2026Make-it-in-Germany — Opportunity Card
Germany#skilled-worker-de30–90 days22 June 2026Make-it-in-Germany — Skilled Worker visa
Germany#job-seeker-visa30–90 days22 June 2026German Federal Foreign Office - Job Seeker visa
Germany#student-de30–90 days22 June 2026Make it in Germany - Studying
Portugal#student-pt60–90 days22 June 2026Portuguese Consulate network — Student visas
Spain#non-lucrative-visa30–90 days22 June 2026Portal de Inmigración — Non-lucrative residence
Netherlands#highly-skilled-migrant14–90 days1 June 2026IND — Decision periods
Netherlands#orientation-year14–90 days22 June 2026IND — Orientation year
Netherlands#eu-blue-card-nl14–90 days22 June 2026IND — EU Blue Card
Netherlands#daft30–90 days22 June 2026IND — Self-employed residence (DAFT)
Netherlands#startup-visa-nl30–90 days22 June 2026IND — Startup residence permit
United States#j-114–90 days1 June 2026DOS — Exchange Visitor (J-1)
Denmark#pay-limit-scheme30–90 days1 July 2026New to Denmark - Pay Limit Scheme
Sweden#work-permit-sweden30–90 days27 June 2026Swedish Migration Agency - Employees
Ireland#general-employment-permit42–91 days1 June 2026DETE — Employment permits current processing dates
Canada#study-permit-ca21–112 days1 June 2026IRCC — Study permit processing times
Australia#student-au28–112 days1 June 2026Home Affairs — Student visa
Germany#recognition-partnership60–120 days22 June 2026Make-it-in-Germany — Recognition Partnership
Germany#freelancer-visa60–120 days22 June 2026Make-it-in-Germany — Freelance residence permit
Portugal#d8-digital-nomad60–120 days22 June 2026Portuguese Consulate network — National visas
Portugal#d3-highly-qualified60–120 days22 June 2026Portuguese Consulate network — National visas
United States#e-214–120 days1 June 2026DOS — E-2 Treaty Investor
United States#f-114–120 days1 June 2026DOS — Student visa (F-1)
United Kingdom#family-spouse84–168 days1 June 2026GOV.UK — Family visas
Portugal#d7-passive-income60–180 days22 June 2026Portuguese Consulate network — D7
Portugal#d2-entrepreneur60–180 days22 June 2026Portuguese Consulate network — D2
Spain#family-reunification-es90–180 days22 June 2026Portal de Inmigración — Family reunification
Netherlands#partner-visa-nl60–180 days22 June 2026IND — Family reunification
Canada#pgwp60–180 days1 June 2026IRCC — PGWP processing times
United States#o-160–180 days1 June 2026USCIS — Case Processing Times
Canada#express-entry-cec150–210 days1 June 2026IRCC — Check processing times
Canada#express-entry-fsw150–240 days1 June 2026IRCC — Check processing times
Canada#express-entry-fst150–240 days1 July 2026IRCC — Check processing times
United States#h-1b60–240 days1 June 2026USCIS — Case Processing Times
United States#l-1a60–240 days1 June 2026USCIS — Case Processing Times
United States#l-1b60–270 days1 June 2026USCIS — Case Processing Times
Ireland#join-family-of-irish-national180–365 days22 June 2026Irish Immigration Service — Join Family
Germany#family-reunion-de90–365 days22 June 2026Make it in Germany - Family reunification
Portugal#family-reunification-pt90–365 days1 June 2026AIMA — Family reunification
Australia#subclass-189-skilled-independent180–365 days1 June 2026Home Affairs — Global visa processing times
Australia#subclass-190-skilled-nominated180–365 days1 June 2026Home Affairs — Global visa processing times
Australia#subclass-491-skilled-regional180–365 days1 June 2026Home Affairs — Global visa processing times
Australia#global-talent-au90–365 days1 June 2026Home Affairs — Global Talent visa
Australia#subclass-186-ens180–420 days1 June 2026Home Affairs — Global visa processing times
Portugal#golden-visa180–540 days1 June 2026AIMA — Residence for investment activity
Canada#pnp330–540 days1 June 2026IRCC — Check processing times
United States#eb-1a180–540 days1 June 2026USCIS — Case Processing Times
United States#k-1180–540 days1 June 2026USCIS — Fiancé(e) Visas
Canada#spousal-sponsorship450–630 days1 June 2026IRCC — Sponsor your spouse
Australia#partner-visa-au450–900 days1 June 2026Home Affairs — Partner visa
United States#eb-2-niw180–900 days1 June 2026USCIS — Case Processing Times
United States#spousal-green-card210–900 days1 June 2026USCIS — Green Card for Family Members of U.S. Citizens
United States#eb-3365–1200 days1 June 2026USCIS — Case Processing Times
Canada#start-up-visa1200–1560 days1 June 2026IRCC — Start-up Visa
United States#eb-5540–1800 days1 June 2026USCIS — Case Processing Times

How this is computed

  • Cost-to-complete rows are sorted by mandatory non-refundable cost converted to approximate USD using the European Central Bank euro foreign exchange reference rates for 30 June 2026. Local-currency totals remain authoritative.
  • Salary floors are sorted by annual-equivalent USD (monthly figures ×12, hourly ×2,080). The conversion is rough and editorial — for ordering only.
  • Processing times are sorted by the published upper bound; routes with no centrally-published time are excluded.
  • No legal figure is generated by a model. Each route cost, salary, and processing figure is copied from typed source-backed data; only cross-currency ordering uses the dated FX basis above.

Cite or reuse this dataset

This figure is free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Cite the Visa Atlas page for the compiled, dated dataset, and cite the official source for the underlying government rule.

Suggested citation

Visa Atlas, "Visa Atlas computed immigration-figure rankings", https://visaatlas.org/figures. Last verified 13 July 2026.

Page
https://visaatlas.org/figures
JSON endpoint
https://visaatlas.org/api/public

Primary sources (185)

  • IRCC — Start-up Visa eligibility
  • AIMA — Residence visas
  • UAE Government Portal — Investor residence
  • IAPMEI — Tech Visa
  • GOV.UK - Health and Care Worker visa overview
  • Portal de Inmigración — Non-lucrative residence
  • Immigration New Zealand - Operational Manual U8.20
  • IRCC - Provincial Nominee Program
  • UGE-CE teleworker documentation and BOE - Real Decreto 126/2026
  • GOV.UK — Immigration Salary List
  • GOV.UK — Appendix Skilled Worker
  • DETE — General Employment Permit
  • IND - required amounts income requirements
  • DETE - Critical Skills Employment Permit fee
  • Service-Public.fr - Passeport talent
  • Migrationsverket - Apply for a work permit in Sweden
  • Immigration New Zealand - Skilled Migrant Category family English
  • UGE-CE — June 2026 salary threshold note
  • Make-it-in-Germany - EU Blue Card
  • AIMA — Residence visas
  • MOM - Employment Pass eligibility
  • Migri - Specialist residence permit
  • UDI - Pay and working conditions in Norway
  • Home Affairs - salary requirements
  • Home Affairs - Skills in Demand visa streams
  • DETE — Intra-Company Transfer Permit
  • ESDC — Provincial/territorial median wages
  • Make-it-in-Germany — Skilled Worker visa
  • DOL — FLC wage search
  • USCIS — L-1B
  • New to Denmark - Pay Limit Scheme
  • UAE Government Portal — Golden Visa
  • UAE Government Portal — Green Visa
  • UAE Government Portal — Long-term residence visa (Golden Visa)
  • USCIS — EB-5
  • UAE Government Portal — Freelancing
  • MOM - Apply for an Employment Pass
  • GOV.UK — Visa decision waiting times
  • GOV.UK — Youth Mobility Scheme visa
  • GOV.UK — Student visa
  • GOV.UK — Standard Visitor visa
  • GOV.UK — High Potential Individual visa
  • Hong Kong Immigration Department - General Employment Policy
  • USCIS - TN USMCA Professionals
  • DETE — Employment permits current processing dates
  • UGE-CE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) — Teletrabajadores
  • UGE-CE — Highly Qualified Professional
  • GOV.UK — Global Talent visa
  • GOV.UK — Graduate visa
  • GOV.UK — Innovator Founder visa
  • GOV.UK — Scale-up visa
  • Irish Immigration Service — Visa Decisions
  • Home Affairs — Partner visa
  • UGE-CE — Entrepreneur residence
  • Portal de Inmigración — Student residence
  • IND — Study permit
  • Home Affairs — Working Holiday Maker
  • Irish Immigration Service — STEP
  • German foreigners authorities (varies by Land)
  • German Federal Foreign Office - Job Seeker visa
  • Make it in Germany - Studying
  • VistosMNE - residency visa accommodation requirement
  • IND — Decision periods
  • IND — Orientation year
  • IND — EU Blue Card
  • IND — Self-employed residence (DAFT)
  • IND — Startup residence permit
  • DOS — Exchange Visitor (J-1)
  • IRCC — Study permit processing times
  • Make-it-in-Germany — Recognition Partnership
  • Make-it-in-Germany — Freelance residence permit
  • DOS — E-2 Treaty Investor
  • DOS — Student visa (F-1)
  • GOV.UK — Family visas
  • Portal de Inmigración — Family reunification
  • IND — Family reunification
  • IRCC — PGWP processing times
  • USCIS — Case Processing Times
  • IRCC — Check processing times
  • Irish Immigration Service — Join Family
  • Make it in Germany - Family reunification
  • AIMA — Family reunification
  • Home Affairs — Global Talent visa
  • AIMA — Residence for investment activity
  • USCIS — Fiancé(e) Visas
  • IRCC — Sponsor your spouse
  • USCIS — Green Card for Family Members of U.S. Citizens
  • IRCC — Start-up Visa
  • Make it in Germany — Opportunity Card finances
  • Blocked-account providers (Fintiba / Expatrio)
  • ZAB - Statement of Comparability fees
  • Goethe-Institut — exam fees
  • GOV.UK - Skilled Worker visa: money to support yourself
  • GOV.UK - Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application
  • Home Office immigration and nationality fees - 8 April 2026
  • GOV.UK - Health and Care Worker visa: money to support yourself
  • IRCC - citizenship and immigration application fees
  • IRCC - Express Entry proof of funds
  • IRCC - Express Entry language test results
  • IRCC - Express Entry education credential assessment
  • IRCC - apply for permanent residence through Express Entry
  • IRCC - submit an Express Entry profile
  • IRCC - Express Entry language test results
  • IRCC - Canadian Experience Class education
  • IRCC - Federal Skilled Trades Program
  • Ontario - applying to the OINP
  • Alberta - AAIP updates
  • Home Affairs - cost of sponsoring
  • Home Affairs - current visa pricing table
  • Home Affairs - Skills in Demand visa
  • Home Affairs - skills assessment requirement
  • Home Affairs - English language visa requirements
  • Home Affairs - health requirement
  • Home Affairs - character requirements for visas
  • Home Affairs - biometrics
  • Home Affairs - Employer Nomination Scheme visa streams
  • Home Affairs - 186 Direct Entry stream
  • Home Affairs - 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream
  • Home Affairs - SkillSelect Expression of Interest
  • ACT Migration - key documents checklist
  • Home Affairs - subclass 191 Regional Provisional stream
  • MOM - Employment Pass documents required
  • MOM - Apply for a Dependant's Pass
  • MOM - Apply for an S Pass
  • MOM - S Pass quota and levy requirements
  • MOM - S Pass medical insurance requirements
  • MOM - S Pass eligibility
  • MOM - S Pass documents required
  • Auswaertiges Amt - visa fees
  • Gesetze im Internet - Aufenthaltsverordnung section 45
  • anabin - foreign education certificate database
  • Make it in Germany - health insurance
  • ISD - first registration required documents and fees
  • ISD - preclearance and entry visa fees
  • ISD - employment visa required documents
  • QQI - NARIC Ireland qualification recognition advice
  • VistosMNE - national visa fees
  • AIMA - residence-permit services
  • VistosMNE - national visa travel insurance
  • Portugal ePortugal - tax identification number
  • VistosMNE - external service providers
  • BOE - immigration fees, BOE - visa fees, and Spanish National Police TIE fees
  • UGE-CE teleworker documentation and BOE - Real Decreto 126/2026
  • BOE - Orden AUC/891/2024 (visa fees)
  • IND - fees and costs of an application
  • Government of the Netherlands - standard health insurance
  • IND - Highly Skilled Migrant after arrival steps
  • USCIS - Form G-1055 fee schedule
  • USCIS - Form G-1055 fee schedule
  • USCIS - H and L filing fees for Form I-129
  • U.S. Department of Labor - LCA program and prevailing wage
  • USCIS - Form I-907 premium processing
  • U.S. Department of State - Temporary Worker Visas
  • USCIS - H-1B Specialty Occupations
  • USCIS - O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
  • USCIS - Premium processing
  • U.S. Department of State - Fees for Visa Services
  • 8 CFR 214.6
  • 8 CFR 103.7(d)(11)
  • Federal Register - CBP Immigration Fees Required by HR-1
  • USCIS - Premium processing
  • USCIS - Form G-1055 fee schedule
  • New to Denmark - accompanying family member to an employee
  • Migrationsverket - Salary requirements for a work permit
  • Migrationsverket - Employer work-permit process
  • Migration.gv.at - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations
  • Migration.gv.at - Other Key Workers
  • Migration.gv.at - Permanent immigration
  • Migration.gv.at - Red-White-Red Card plus
  • Migration.gv.at - Family reunification
  • UDI - Fees
  • Indicative document services - verify with the UDI checklist
  • Service-Public.fr - Passeport talent
  • France-Visas / local visa centre - verify current local fee
  • Migri - Processing fees and payment methods
  • Migri - D visa
  • Migri - Spouse in Finland with a residence permit
  • Migri - Income requirement for family members
  • Immigration New Zealand - Accredited Employer Work Visa
  • Immigration New Zealand - AEWV employer fees
  • Immigration New Zealand - International Qualification Assessment guidance
  • Immigration New Zealand - Partner of a Worker Work Visa
  • Immigration New Zealand - Dependent Child Student Visa
  • Immigration New Zealand - Child of a Worker Visitor Visa
  • European Central Bank - euro foreign exchange reference rates

This is not legal advice

We publish neutral, sourced information about immigration routes. Rules and thresholds change often — always verify details on the official government source linked on this page and consult a regulated immigration advisor before applying.