Original research - 1 July 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

64/100

Average score

Strong clocks

No central clock

Key findings

17 route clocks score as strong, meaning the user gets a current, bounded and relatively narrow official decision window.
7 route clocks expose percentile-style disclosure, which is more useful for planning than a bare legal maximum or a broad editorial range.
13 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)
6 months
100/100
Published percentile available
Australia: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
2 weeks – 8 weeks
90/100
Published percentile available
United Arab Emirates: UAE Employment (Standard Residence) visa
3 days – 10 days
85/100
Official window only
Singapore: Employment Pass (EP)
10 days – 2 weeks
85/100
Official window with caveat
United Arab Emirates: UAE Virtual Working Programme
5 days – 2 weeks
85/100
Official window only

Weakest or most opaque clocks

Austria: Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)
Not centrally published
15/100
No central processing clock
France: Talent Passport — Salaried Employee (Passeport Talent Salarié)
Not centrally published
15/100
No central processing clock
Germany: EU Blue Card (Germany)
Not centrally published
15/100
No central processing clock
Germany: Chancenkarte (Germany Opportunity Card)
Not centrally published
15/100
No central processing clock
Ireland: Stamp 4 permission
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	Full points where the authority publishes a usable decision window or percentile clock; zero where no central clock is published.
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	Source records checked within 45 days of the index version receive full freshness credit.

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	6 months	Strong planning clock Published percentile available	100	After 6 months (published percentile)
Australia: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) Source: Home Affairs — Global visa processing times	2 weeks – 8 weeks	Strong planning clock Published percentile available	90	After 7 weeks (published percentile)
United Arab Emirates: UAE Employment (Standard Residence) visa Source: UAE Government Portal — Work visas	3 days – 10 days	Strong planning clock Official window only	85	After 10 days
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 Arab Emirates: UAE Virtual Working Programme Source: UAE Government Portal — Virtual working programme	5 days – 2 weeks	Strong planning clock Official window only	85	After 2 weeks
United Arab Emirates: UAE Green Visa Source: UAE Government Portal — Green Visa	5 days – 2 weeks	Strong planning clock Official window only	85	After 15 days
United Arab Emirates: UAE freelance permit with residence Source: UAE Government Portal — Freelancing	5 days – 2 weeks	Strong planning clock Official window only	85	After 15 days
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 only	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	6 weeks – 8 weeks	Strong planning clock Official window only	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
United States: TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico) Source: USCIS - TN USMCA Professionals	1 days – 4 weeks	Usable planning clock Official window only	80	After 30 days
Ireland: Critical Skills Employment Permit Source: DETE — Employment permits current processing dates	3 weeks – 6 weeks	Usable planning clock Official window only	80	After 6 weeks
Spain: Digital Nomad Visa (Spain) Source: UGE-CE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) — Teletrabajadores	3 weeks – 6 weeks	Usable planning clock Official window only	80	After 45 days
Spain: Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit Source: UGE-CE — Highly Qualified Professional	3 weeks – 6 weeks	Usable planning clock Official window only	80	After 45 days
Ireland: Irish Student visa (Stamp 2) Source: Irish Immigration Service — Visa Decisions	4 weeks – 8 weeks	Usable planning clock Official window only	80	After 8 weeks
Spain: Spanish Student Visa Source: Portal de Inmigración — Student residence	4 weeks – 2 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	80	After 2 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
Portugal: Portuguese Student visa Source: Portuguese Consulate network — Student visas	2 months – 3 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	80	After 3 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
Australia: Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462) Source: Home Affairs — Working Holiday Maker	7 days – 2 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 2 months
Netherlands: Dutch Student residence permit Source: IND — Study permit	2 weeks – 2 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 2 months
Spain: Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) Source: UGE-CE — Entrepreneur residence	3 weeks – 2 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 2 months
Ireland: Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) Source: Irish Immigration Service — STEP	6 weeks – 3 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 84 days
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
Germany: Skilled Worker residence permit (§18a/§18b AufenthG) Source: Make-it-in-Germany — Skilled Worker visa	4 weeks – 3 months	Usable planning clock Official window with caveat	75	After 3 months
Germany: Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG) Source: German Federal Foreign Office - Job Seeker visa	4 weeks – 3 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 3 months
Germany: German Student residence permit Source: Make it in Germany - Studying	4 weeks – 3 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 3 months
Netherlands: Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur Source: IND — Self-employed residence (DAFT)	4 weeks – 3 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 3 months
Netherlands: Startup Visa (Netherlands) Source: IND — Startup residence permit	4 weeks – 3 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 3 months
Ireland: General Employment Permit Source: DETE — Employment permits current processing dates	6 weeks – 3 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 91 days
Germany: Recognition Partnership (Anerkennungspartnerschaft) Source: Make-it-in-Germany — Recognition Partnership	2 months – 4 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 4 months
Germany: Freelance / Self-employment residence permit (§21 AufenthG) Source: Make-it-in-Germany — Freelance residence permit	2 months – 4 months	Usable planning clock Official window with caveat	75	After 4 months
Portugal: D8 visa (digital nomad / remote work) Source: Portuguese Consulate network — National visas	2 months – 4 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 4 months
Portugal: D3 visa (highly qualified activity) Source: Portuguese Consulate network — National visas	2 months – 4 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 4 months
Canada: Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Source: IRCC — Check processing times	5 months – 7 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	75	After 7 months
Netherlands: Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) Source: IND — Decision periods	2 weeks – 3 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	67	After 3 months
Netherlands: Orientation year (Zoekjaar) Source: IND — Orientation year	2 weeks – 3 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	67	After 3 months
Netherlands: EU Blue Card (Netherlands) Source: IND — EU Blue Card	2 weeks – 3 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	67	After 3 months
United States: J-1 Exchange Visitor Source: DOS — Exchange Visitor (J-1)	2 weeks – 3 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	67	After 3 months
Australia: Australian Student visa (subclass 500) Source: Home Affairs — Student visa	4 weeks – 4 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	67	After 112 days
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
Spain: Family reunification (Spain) Source: Portal de Inmigración — Family reunification	3 months – 6 months	Usable planning clock Official window with caveat	67	After 6 months
Canada: Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Source: IRCC — Check processing times	5 months – 8 months	Usable planning clock Official window only	67	After 8 months
New Zealand: Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa Source: Immigration New Zealand - Resident visa wait times	Immigration New Zealand's resident-visa wait times page currently reports 80% of Skilled Migrant Category applications completed within 4 months, with an 11-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 7 weeks.	Watch closely Published percentile available	62	After 7 weeks (published percentile)
Canada: Canadian Study Permit Source: IRCC — Study permit processing times	3 weeks – 4 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 112 days
United States: E-2 Treaty Investor Source: DOS — E-2 Treaty Investor	2 weeks – 4 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 4 months
United States: F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) Source: DOS — Student visa (F-1)	2 weeks – 4 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 4 months
Canada: Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Source: IRCC — PGWP processing times	2 months – 6 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 6 months
Netherlands: Partner residence (Dutch national or resident sponsor) Source: IND — Family reunification	2 months – 6 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 6 months
Portugal: D2 visa (entrepreneur / self-employment) Source: Portuguese Consulate network — D2	2 months – 6 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 6 months
United States: O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement Source: USCIS — Case Processing Times	2 months – 6 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 6 months
United States: H-1B Specialty Occupation Source: USCIS — Case Processing Times	2 months – 8 months	Watch closely Official window with caveat	61	After 8 months
United States: L-1A Intracompany Transferee (Executive or Manager) Source: USCIS — Case Processing Times	2 months – 8 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 8 months
United States: L-1B Intracompany Transferee (Specialised Knowledge) Source: USCIS — Case Processing Times	2 months – 9 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 9 months
Australia: Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Source: Home Affairs — Global visa processing times	6 months – 12 months	Watch closely Official window with caveat	61	After 365 days
Australia: Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) Source: Home Affairs — Global visa processing times	6 months – 12 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 365 days
Australia: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) Source: Home Affairs — Global visa processing times	6 months – 12 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 365 days
Australia: National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent) Source: Home Affairs — Global Talent visa	3 months – 12 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 365 days
Germany: Family reunion residence permit Source: Make it in Germany - Family reunification	3 months – 12 months	Watch closely Official window with caveat	61	After 365 days
Ireland: Join Family (Irish national or EEA national) Source: Irish Immigration Service — Join Family	6 months – 12 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 365 days
Portugal: Family reunification (residence) Source: AIMA — Family reunification	3 months – 12 months	Watch closely Official window with caveat	61	After 365 days
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: Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Source: Home Affairs — Global visa processing times	6 months – 14 months	Watch closely Official window with caveat	61	After 14 months
Canada: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Source: IRCC — Check processing times	11 months – 18 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 18 months
Portugal: Portugal Golden Visa (residence by investment) Source: AIMA — Residence for investment activity	6 months – 18 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 18 months
United States: EB-1A Extraordinary Ability (Immigrant) Source: USCIS — Case Processing Times	6 months – 18 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 18 months
United States: K-1 Fiancé(e) of US Citizen Source: USCIS — Fiancé(e) Visas	6 months – 18 months	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 18 months
Canada: Spousal / common-law sponsorship (Canada) Source: IRCC — Sponsor your spouse	15 months – 1.7 years	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 1.7 years
Australia: Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) Source: Home Affairs — Partner visa	15 months – 2.5 years	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 2.5 years
United States: Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A) Source: USCIS — Green Card for Family Members of U.S. Citizens	7 months – 2.5 years	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 2.5 years
United States: EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers Source: USCIS — Case Processing Times	12 months – 3.3 years	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 3.3 years
Canada: Start-Up Visa (Canada) Source: IRCC — Start-up Visa	3.3 years – 4.3 years	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 4.3 years
United States: EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Source: USCIS — Case Processing Times	18 months – 4.9 years	Watch closely Official window only	61	After 4.9 years
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
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
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: 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
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
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
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 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 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

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. Last verified 1 July 2026.

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

Primary sources (78)