Original research - 1 July 2026. Data evaluated 11 September 2026.

Processing-Time Planning Reliability Index 2026

Name: Visa Atlas processing-time planning reliability index
Creator: Visa Atlas
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

A 2026 processing-time planning reliability index scoring official immigration clocks by published-window availability, window width, percentile disclosure and source freshness.

This is not a claim about actual case outcomes. It measures how transparent and usable each official clock is for planning before appointment queues, biometrics, employer steps or post-decision cards are added.

By Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.

Scored route clocks

32.3/100

Average score

Strong clocks

No central clock

Key findings

13 route clocks score as strong, meaning the user gets a current, bounded and relatively narrow official decision window.
8 route clocks expose percentile-style disclosure, which is more useful for planning than a bare legal maximum or a broad editorial range.
66 tracked routes have no central published decision clock; those pages need guidance and delay triggers rather than a guessed number.
The index uses the same source records as /api/public/processing-times, so the reliability layer inherits every source URL and last-checked date.

Strongest planning clocks

Canada: Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
7 months
100/100
Published percentile available
Singapore: Employment Pass (EP)
10 days – 2 weeks
85/100
Official window with caveat
United Kingdom: Skilled Worker visa
3 weeks
85/100
Official window with caveat
United Kingdom: Health and Care Worker visa
3 weeks
85/100
Official window with caveat
United Kingdom: Youth Mobility Scheme visa
3 weeks
85/100
Official window with caveat

Weakest or most opaque clocks

Australia: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
Not centrally published
15/100
No central processing clock
Australia: Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
Not centrally published
15/100
No central processing clock
Australia: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
Not centrally published
15/100
No central processing clock
Australia: National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent)
Not centrally published
15/100
No central processing clock
Australia: Australian Student visa (subclass 500)
Not centrally published
15/100
No central processing clock

Methodology

A source-linked index measuring how usable each published immigration processing-time clock is for planning: official clock availability, window width, percentile disclosure and source freshness.

Component	Max	What it rewards
officialClock	40	A published decision range receives 40 points; a published percentile clock receives 32. No central clock receives zero.
windowWidth	30	Narrow published windows score higher because users can plan around them more safely.
percentileDisclosure	15	Authorities that publish p80 or p90-style percentile figures get extra disclosure credit.
freshness	15	Stored source or method checks within 45 days of the data evaluation date receive full freshness credit. A method check is not confirmation of every numeric result.

Full index

Scores are sorted from most usable planning clock to most opaque. Each row links to the route processing-time page and the official source.

Route	Clock	Grade	Score	Delay trigger
Canada: Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Source: IRCC - Service standards	7 months	Strong planning clock Published percentile available	100	After 6 months (published percentile)
Singapore: Employment Pass (EP) Source: MOM - Apply for an Employment Pass	10 days – 2 weeks	Strong planning clock Official window with caveat	85	After 2 weeks
United Kingdom: Skilled Worker visa Source: GOV.UK — Visa decision waiting times	3 weeks	Strong planning clock Official window with caveat	85	After 3 weeks
United Kingdom: Health and Care Worker visa Source: GOV.UK — Health and Care Worker visa	3 weeks	Strong planning clock Official window with caveat	85	After 3 weeks
United Kingdom: Youth Mobility Scheme visa Source: GOV.UK — Youth Mobility Scheme visa	3 weeks	Strong planning clock Official window with caveat	85	After 3 weeks
United Kingdom: Student visa Source: GOV.UK — Student visa	3 weeks	Strong planning clock Official window only	85	After 3 weeks
United Kingdom: Standard Visitor visa Source: GOV.UK — Standard Visitor visa	3 weeks	Strong planning clock Official window with caveat	85	After 3 weeks
Hong Kong: General Employment Policy (GEP) Source: Hong Kong Immigration Department - General Employment Policy	4 weeks	Strong planning clock Official window with caveat	85	After 4 weeks
United Kingdom: High Potential Individual visa Source: GOV.UK — High Potential Individual visa	3 weeks – 4 weeks	Strong planning clock Official window only	85	After 4 weeks
United Kingdom: Graduate visa Source: GOV.UK — Graduate visa	8 weeks	Strong planning clock Official window with caveat	85	After 8 weeks
Portugal: D7 visa (passive income / retirement) Source: gov.pt - Residence visa for retirees and people living on their own income	2 months	Strong planning clock Official window with caveat	85	After 2 months
Spain: Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) Source: Ministry of Inclusion - Initial non-lucrative residence	3 months	Strong planning clock Official window only	85	After 3 months
Canada: Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Source: IRCC — Check processing times	7 months	Strong planning clock Official window only	85	After 7 months
Sweden: Work Permit (Arbetstillstånd) Source: Swedish Migration Agency - Employees	4 weeks – 2 months	Usable planning clock Official window with caveat	80	After 2 months
United Kingdom: Global Talent visa Source: GOV.UK — Global Talent visa	3 weeks – 8 weeks	Usable planning clock Official window with caveat	75	After 8 weeks
United Kingdom: Innovator Founder visa Source: GOV.UK — Innovator Founder visa	3 weeks – 8 weeks	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 8 weeks
United Kingdom: Scale-up visa Source: GOV.UK — Scale-up visa	3 weeks – 8 weeks	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 8 weeks
Denmark: Pay Limit Scheme (Beloebsordningen) Source: New to Denmark - Pay Limit Scheme	4 weeks – 3 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 3 months
United Kingdom: Family visa (partner/spouse) Source: GOV.UK — Family visas	3 months – 6 months	Usable planning clock Official window with caveat	67	After 168 days
Australia: Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Source: Home Affairs — Global visa processing times	50%: 7 months; 90%: 8 months	Watch closely Published observed percentiles	62	Percentiles are not deadlines; use the current official tool
Australia: Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Source: Home Affairs — Global visa processing times, subclass 186 stream snapshot	Direct Entry Pathway: 50% 13 Months; 90% 21 Months \| Agreement Pathway: 50% 58 Days; 90% 12 Months \| Transition Pathway: 50% 14 Months; 90% 22 Months	Watch closely Published stream-specific percentiles	62	Stream percentiles are not deadlines; use the current official tool
New Zealand: Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa Source: Immigration New Zealand - Resident visa wait times	Immigration New Zealand snapshot checked 10 September 2026: 80% of Skilled Migrant Category applications completed within 4 months, with a 9.5-week average wait.	Watch closely Published percentile available	62	After 4 months (published percentile)
New Zealand: Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa Source: Immigration New Zealand - Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa	Immigration New Zealand lists the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa at 80% within 7 months; the resident-visa wait times page currently shows a 5.5-month average.	Watch closely Published percentile available	62	After 7 months (published percentile)
New Zealand: Working Holiday Visa Source: Immigration New Zealand - United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa	INZ working holiday country pages, including the United Kingdom scheme, currently list 80% of applications processed within about 2.5 weeks.	Watch closely Published percentile available	62	After 18 days (published percentile)
New Zealand: Student Visa Source: Immigration New Zealand - Fee Paying Student Visa	Immigration New Zealand lists the Fee Paying Student Visa at 80% within 9.5 weeks.	Watch closely Published percentile available	62	After 67 days (published percentile)
New Zealand: Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) Source: Immigration New Zealand - Accredited Employer Work Visa	Immigration New Zealand lists Accredited Employer Work Visa worker applications at 80% within 8 weeks.	Watch closely Published percentile available	62	After 8 weeks (published percentile)
Sweden: Self-Employment Permit (Eget företag) Source: Swedish Migration Agency - Self-employed people	8 months – 13 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 13 months
Australia: Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462) Source: Home Affairs — Global visa processing-time tool, subclasses 417 and 462	Separate subclass 417 and 462 processing figures; offshore cases may take several months.	Opaque or no central clock Official window with caveat	25	See source guidance
Ireland: Critical Skills Employment Permit Source: DETE — Employment permits current processing dates	DETE’s page, published as at 04 September 2026, listed Critical Skills Employment Permit applications received on 26 August 2026. That 9-day difference is a queue-position snapshot, not a decision-time estimate.	Opaque or no central clock Published queue-position snapshot	25	Queue position only; recheck the current official date
Ireland: General Employment Permit Source: DETE — Employment permits current processing dates	DETE’s page, published as at 04 September 2026, listed new General Employment Permit applications received on 30 July 2026. That 36-day difference is a queue-position snapshot, not a decision-time estimate.	Opaque or no central clock Published queue-position snapshot	25	Queue position only; recheck the current official date
Netherlands: Orientation year (Zoekjaar) Source: IND — Orientation year	90 days	Opaque or no central clock Statutory decision deadline	25	Legal deadline: 90 days (not a typical wait)
Netherlands: Partner residence (Dutch national or resident sponsor) Source: IND — Family reunification	90 days	Opaque or no central clock Statutory decision deadline	25	Legal deadline: 90 days (not a typical wait)
Portugal: Family reunification (residence) Source: Diário da República — Foreigners Law, Article 105	9 months	Opaque or no central clock Statutory decision deadline	25	Legal deadline: 9 months (not a typical wait)
Australia: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) Source: Home Affairs — Global visa processing times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Australia: Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) Source: Home Affairs — Global visa processing times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Australia: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) Source: Home Affairs — Global visa processing times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Australia: National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent) Source: Home Affairs — Global Talent visa	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Australia: Australian Student visa (subclass 500) Source: Home Affairs — Student visa	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Australia: Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) Source: Home Affairs — Partner visa	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Austria: Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) Source: Migration.gv.at - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Canada: Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Source: IRCC — Check processing times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Canada: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Source: IRCC — Check processing times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Canada: Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Source: IRCC — PGWP processing times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Canada: Start-Up Visa (Canada) Source: IRCC — Start-up Visa	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Canada: Canadian Study Permit Source: IRCC — Study permit processing times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Canada: Spousal / common-law sponsorship (Canada) Source: IRCC — Sponsor your spouse	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
France: Talent Passport — Salaried Employee (Passeport Talent Salarié) Source: Service-Public.fr - Passeport talent	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Germany: EU Blue Card (Germany) Source: Make it in Germany - EU Blue Card	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Germany: Chancenkarte (Germany Opportunity Card) Source: Make it in Germany - Opportunity Card	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Germany: Skilled Worker residence permit (§18a/§18b AufenthG) Source: Make-it-in-Germany — Skilled Worker visa	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Germany: Recognition Partnership (Anerkennungspartnerschaft) Source: Make-it-in-Germany — Recognition Partnership	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Germany: Freelance / Self-employment residence permit (§21 AufenthG) Source: Make-it-in-Germany — Freelance residence permit	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Germany: Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG) Source: German Federal Foreign Office - Job Seeker visa	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Germany: German Student residence permit Source: Make it in Germany - Studying	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Germany: Family reunion residence permit Source: Make it in Germany - Family reunification	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Ireland: Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) Source: Irish Immigration Service — STEP	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Ireland: Stamp 4 permission Source: Irish Immigration Service — Registration Office	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Ireland: Irish Student visa (Stamp 2) Source: Irish Immigration Service — Visa Decisions	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Ireland: Join Family (Irish national or EEA national) Source: Irish Immigration Service — Join Family	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Ireland: Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP — closed) Source: Department of Justice — IIP closure FAQ	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Italy: EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE) Source: MAECI - The entry visa	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Netherlands: Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) Source: IND — Decision periods	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Netherlands: EU Blue Card (Netherlands) Source: IND — EU Blue Card	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Netherlands: Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur Source: IND — Self-employed residence (DAFT)	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Netherlands: Startup Visa (Netherlands) Source: IND — Startup residence permit	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Netherlands: Dutch Student residence permit Source: IND — Study permit	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Norway: Skilled Worker Residence Permit (Oppholdstillatelse som faglaert) Source: UDI - Skilled workers	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Portugal: D8 visa (digital nomad / remote work) Source: Portuguese Consulate network — National visas	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Portugal: D2 visa (entrepreneur / self-employment) Source: Portuguese Consulate network — D2	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Portugal: Portugal Golden Visa (residence by investment) Source: AIMA — Residence for investment activity	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Portugal: D3 visa (highly qualified activity) Source: Portuguese Consulate network — National visas	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Portugal: Portuguese Student visa Source: Portuguese Consulate network — Student visas	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Spain: Digital Nomad Visa (Spain) Source: UGE-CE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) — Teletrabajadores	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Spain: Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit Source: UGE-CE — Highly Qualified Professional	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Spain: Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) Source: UGE-CE — Entrepreneur residence	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Spain: Spain Golden Visa (ending April 2025) Source: BOE — Ley Orgánica 1/2025	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Spain: Spanish Student Visa Source: Portal de Inmigración — Student residence	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Spain: Family reunification (Spain) Source: Portal de Inmigración — Family reunification	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
Switzerland: B Permit — Third-Country National (Aufenthaltsbewilligung) Source: SEM - Non-EU/EFTA nationals	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United Arab Emirates: UAE Golden Visa Source: ICP - Golden Residency	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United Arab Emirates: UAE Green Visa Source: UAE Government Portal — Green Visa	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United Arab Emirates: UAE Employment (Standard Residence) visa Source: UAE Government Portal — Work visas	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United Arab Emirates: UAE Virtual Working Programme Source: UAE Government Portal — Virtual working programme	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United Arab Emirates: UAE Green Residence — investor / business partner Source: UAE Government Portal - Residence visa for doing business	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United Arab Emirates: UAE freelance permit with residence Source: UAE Government Portal — Freelancing	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United States: H-1B Specialty Occupation Source: USCIS — Case Processing Times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United States: L-1A Intracompany Transferee (Executive or Manager) Source: USCIS — Case Processing Times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United States: L-1B Intracompany Transferee (Specialised Knowledge) Source: USCIS — Case Processing Times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United States: O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement Source: USCIS — Case Processing Times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United States: EB-1A Extraordinary Ability (Immigrant) Source: USCIS — Case Processing Times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United States: EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) Source: USCIS - Case processing times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United States: EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers Source: USCIS — Case Processing Times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United States: EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Source: USCIS — Case Processing Times	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United States: E-2 Treaty Investor Source: DOS — E-2 Treaty Investor	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United States: F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) Source: DOS — Student visa (F-1)	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United States: J-1 Exchange Visitor Source: DOS — Exchange Visitor (J-1)	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United States: TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico) Source: USCIS - TN USMCA Professionals	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United States: K-1 Fiancé(e) of US Citizen Source: USCIS — Fiancé(e) Visas	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance
United States: Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) Source: USCIS — Green Card for Family Members of U.S. Citizens	Not centrally published	Opaque or no central clock No central processing clock	15	No fixed delay point - use route guidance

Limits

This is a planning-transparency index, not a prediction of individual case outcome or deadline.
Appointment queues, biometrics, skills assessment, employer steps and post-decision residence-card issuance can sit outside the published decision clock.
A low score can mean the government does not publish a central clock; it does not mean the route is bad or impossible.

Cite or reuse this dataset

This index is free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Cite this report for the scoring methodology, the JSON endpoint for the derived rows, and the listed authorities for the underlying processing clocks.

Suggested citation

Visa Atlas, "Visa Atlas processing-time planning reliability index", https://visaatlas.org/research/processing-time-reliability-index-2026. Data evaluated 11 September 2026.

Page: https://visaatlas.org/research/processing-time-reliability-index-2026
JSON endpoint: https://visaatlas.org/api/public/processing-reliability

Primary sources (77)