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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 11 September 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. Consider them separately when comparing routes; one favourable measure does not make a route suitable for every applicant.

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 requiredNot centrally publishedNo 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 – 2 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 requiredNot centrally publishedSettlement 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 required7 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 required7 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 requiredNot centrally publishedSettlement path trackedCA$2,075-CA$4,005$1,458-$2,813 order onlyProof of funds stays separate at CA$15,263.

Source dates: cost, processing, settlement and route records checked through 11 September 2026. FX normalisation reviewed 30 June 2026 and used only for ordering. Treat the ordering as a planning aid and review each route's linked requirements before deciding.

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

Latest source record in this cluster: 1 July 2026. Compare the local salary figures and their scope carefully; occupation-specific rules may require a higher amount.

What immigration figures does Visa Atlas compare?

The figures page computes cross-destination rankings from primary-sourced data: 30 cost-to-complete models, 52 positive salary floors and 20 published processing windows. Each row keeps the figure, source and review date attached.

Verified against Visa Atlas public datasets on 11 September 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 2026Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs — National visas
United Arab Emirates#Dependant sponsorship — resident employee48,000 AEDannual$13,0001 January 2023UAE Government Portal — Residence visa for family members
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
Sweden#Employee work permit - temporary extension transition28,725 SEKmonthly$36,00016 June 2026Swedish Migration Agency - Salary requirements
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)37,500 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 2026Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs — National 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)77,000 CADannual$55,00017 July 2026ESDC — 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
Singapore#employment-pass10–14 days10 September 2026MOM - Apply for an Employment Pass
United Kingdom#skilled-worker21–21 days10 September 2026GOV.UK — Visa decision waiting times
United Kingdom#health-and-care-worker21–21 days11 September 2026GOV.UK — Health and Care Worker visa
United Kingdom#youth-mobility-scheme21–21 days10 September 2026GOV.UK — Youth Mobility Scheme visa
United Kingdom#student21–21 days10 September 2026GOV.UK — Student visa
United Kingdom#visit-visa-standard21–21 days10 September 2026GOV.UK — Standard Visitor visa
United Kingdom#high-potential-individual21–28 days10 September 2026GOV.UK — High Potential Individual visa
Hong Kong#general-employment-policy28–28 days10 September 2026Hong Kong Immigration Department - General Employment Policy
United Kingdom#global-talent21–56 days10 September 2026GOV.UK — Global Talent visa
United Kingdom#graduate56–56 days10 September 2026GOV.UK — Graduate visa
United Kingdom#innovator-founder21–56 days10 September 2026GOV.UK — Innovator Founder visa
United Kingdom#scale-up21–56 days10 September 2026GOV.UK — Scale-up visa
Portugal#d7-passive-income60–60 days10 September 2026gov.pt - Residence visa for retirees and people living on their own income
Sweden#work-permit-sweden30–60 days10 September 2026Swedish Migration Agency - Employees
Spain#non-lucrative-visa90–90 days10 September 2026Ministry of Inclusion - Initial non-lucrative residence
Denmark#pay-limit-scheme30–90 days10 September 2026New to Denmark - Pay Limit Scheme
United Kingdom#family-spouse84–168 days10 September 2026GOV.UK — Family visas
Canada#express-entry-cec210–210 days10 September 2026IRCC — Check processing times
Canada#express-entry-fsw210–210 days10 September 2026IRCC - Service standards
Sweden#self-employment-sweden240–390 days10 September 2026Swedish Migration Agency - Self-employed people

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 11 September 2026.

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Primary sources (151)