Visa Processing Time Tracker

Compare processing times for work visas worldwide. Sort, filter, and compare side-by-side to plan your timeline.

2 wks

Fastest (Canada GTS)

6 mo

Slowest (US H-1B)

Visa types tracked

Countries covered

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EU Blue Card

Germany (and 25 EU states) · Skilled Worker

4-8 weeks

Processing

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Requirements

University degree or equivalent
Job offer with minimum salary
No criminal record
Valid travel document

Salary: €45,300 (general) / €41,042 (shortage occupations)

Validity: Up to 4 years

Spouse work: Yes, unrestricted work rights immediately

Path to PR: 21 months with B1 German, or 33 months without

Pros & Cons

Fast-track to permanent residence

Spouse can work immediately

No labor market test

Portable across EU after 18 months

Requires recognized university degree

Minimum salary requirement

Must work in field related to degree

Official Page Find Jobs

Typical Process Timeline

Get job offer

Gather documents

Submit application

Processing (4-8 weeks)

Receive visa & relocate

UK Skilled Worker Visa

United Kingdom · Skilled Worker

3-8 weeks

Processing

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Requirements

Job offer from licensed sponsor
Certificate of Sponsorship
Minimum salary threshold
English language proficiency (B1)

Salary: £38,700 (general) / lower for shortage occupations

Validity: Up to 5 years

Spouse work: Yes, unrestricted work rights

Path to PR: 5 years to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Pros & Cons

No lottery system

Clear path to settlement

Spouse can work freely

Can switch employers

Health surcharge (£1,035/year)

High salary threshold

Points-based system

5 years to PR

Official Page Find Jobs

Typical Process Timeline

Get job offer

Gather documents

Submit application

Processing (3-8 weeks)

Receive visa & relocate

Netherlands HSM Visa

Netherlands · Highly Skilled Migrant

2-4 weeks

Processing

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Requirements

Job offer from IND-recognized sponsor
Minimum salary threshold
Valid passport

Salary: €5,008/month (30+) / €3,672/month (under 30)

Validity: Up to 5 years

Spouse work: Yes, unrestricted work rights immediately

Path to PR: 5 years to permanent residence

Pros & Cons

Very fast processing (2-4 weeks)

30% tax ruling benefit

No language requirement

Spouse works immediately

No labor market test

Employer must be IND-recognized sponsor

Salary threshold adjusts annually

30% ruling now capped at 5 years

Official Page Find Jobs

Typical Process Timeline

Get job offer

Gather documents

Submit application

Processing (2-4 weeks)

Receive visa & relocate

US H-1B Visa

United States · Specialty Occupation

3-6 months (premium: 15 days)

Processing

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Requirements

Bachelor's degree minimum
Specialty occupation job offer
Employer petition
Selected in lottery

Salary: Prevailing wage (varies by role and location)

Validity: 3 years (renewable to 6)

Spouse work: H-4 EAD (if H-1B holder has approved I-140)

Path to PR: Green Card via employer sponsorship (EB-2/EB-3), can take 2-15+ years

Pros & Cons

Access to highest tech salaries globally

Premium processing available

Dual intent (can apply for green card)

Lottery system (~25% selection rate)

Tied to employer until transfer

Long green card wait for some nationalities

Annual cap of 85,000 visas

Official Page Find Jobs

Typical Process Timeline

Get job offer

Gather documents

Submit application

Processing (3-6 months (premium: 15 days))

Receive visa & relocate

Canada Global Talent Stream

Canada · Temporary Work Permit

2 weeks (target)

Processing

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Requirements

Job offer in eligible occupation
LMIA from employer
Category A (unique talent) or Category B (in-demand occupation)

Salary: Prevailing wage for the position

Validity: Up to 3 years

Spouse work: Yes, open work permit for spouse

Path to PR: Express Entry (6-12 months) or Provincial Nominee Program

Pros & Cons

2-week target processing

Fast-track to permanent residence

Spouse gets open work permit

No lottery

Employer must obtain LMIA

Limited to specific occupations

Employer must commit to a Labour Market Benefits Plan

Official Page Find Jobs

Typical Process Timeline

Get job offer

Gather documents

Submit application

Processing (2 weeks (target))

Receive visa & relocate

Australia TSS Visa (482)

Australia · Temporary Skill Shortage

1-4 months

Processing

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Requirements

Nominated by approved sponsor
Skills assessment for occupation on skilled occupation list
2 years relevant work experience
English proficiency (IELTS 5.0+)

Salary: AUD $73,150 (TSMIT)

Validity: Up to 4 years

Spouse work: Yes, full work rights

Path to PR: Eligible for 186 visa (permanent) after 2-3 years

Pros & Cons

Clear path to permanent residence

Spouse can work

No lottery

Access to Medicare

Skills assessment required

2 years minimum work experience

English language test required

Health insurance needed initially

Official Page Find Jobs

Typical Process Timeline

Get job offer

Gather documents

Submit application

Processing (1-4 months)

Receive visa & relocate

Ireland Critical Skills Permit

Ireland · Employment Permit

4-8 weeks

Processing

Compare

Requirements

Job offer in eligible occupation
Minimum salary threshold
Degree relevant to the role

Salary: €38,000 (critical skills list) / €64,000 (general)

Validity: 2 years

Spouse work: Yes, Stamp 1G for dependents

Path to PR: Stamp 4 (unrestricted work) after 2 years, citizenship after 5 years

Pros & Cons

Fast-track to Stamp 4 (2 years)

Spouse can work immediately

No labor market test for critical skills

Path to EU citizenship

Limited to critical skills occupation list

Must work for sponsoring employer for initial period

Processing times can vary

Official Page Find Jobs

Typical Process Timeline

Get job offer

Gather documents

Submit application

Processing (4-8 weeks)

Receive visa & relocate

Sweden Work Permit

Sweden · Work Permit

1-4 months

Processing

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Requirements

Job offer matching collective agreement terms
Employer must advertise in EU first (10 days)
Health insurance
Salary must meet minimum threshold

Salary: SEK 13,000/month minimum (effectively higher for tech)

Validity: Up to 2 years (renewable)

Spouse work: Yes, work permit for family members

Path to PR: Permanent residence after 4 years

Pros & Cons

Family gets work permits

Good path to PR (4 years)

High quality of life

Expert tax relief for qualifying workers

Strict terms — must match collective agreement

Processing times can be slow

Must leave and reapply if employer changes early on

Official Page Find Jobs

Typical Process Timeline

Get job offer

Gather documents

Submit application

Processing (1-4 months)

Receive visa & relocate

France Passeport Talent

France · Talent Passport

2-6 weeks

Processing

Compare

Requirements

Master's degree or equivalent
Employment contract with qualifying salary
Company must be innovative or in tech sector

Salary: 2x French minimum wage (~€44,000/year)

Validity: Up to 4 years (renewable)

Spouse work: Yes, automatic work authorization for spouse

Path to PR: Permanent residence after 5 years

Pros & Cons

4-year duration (longest in EU)

Spouse can work automatically

Access to French social security

Favorable tax regime for expats

French bureaucracy can be complex

Some French language needed for daily life

Must have Master's degree or equivalent

Official Page Find Jobs

Typical Process Timeline

Get job offer

Gather documents

Submit application

Processing (2-6 weeks)

Receive visa & relocate

Frequently Asked Questions

Which work visa has the fastest processing time?

The Canada Global Talent Stream targets a 2-week processing time. The Netherlands HSM Visa (2–4 weeks) and France Passeport Talent (2–6 weeks) are also very fast.

How long does an EU Blue Card take to process?

Typically 4–8 weeks. Processing times may vary by country and application completeness.

Can I speed up my visa processing?

Some visas offer premium processing. The US H-1B has a 15-day premium option. For others, ensure your application is complete with all required documents.

What factors affect visa processing time?

Application completeness, nationality, processing backlogs, security checks, and time of year all affect processing time.

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Visa Processing Time Tracker

EU Blue Card

Requirements

Pros & Cons

Typical Process Timeline

UK Skilled Worker Visa

Requirements

Pros & Cons

Typical Process Timeline

Netherlands HSM Visa

Requirements

Pros & Cons

Typical Process Timeline

US H-1B Visa

Requirements

Pros & Cons

Typical Process Timeline

Canada Global Talent Stream

Requirements

Pros & Cons

Typical Process Timeline

Australia TSS Visa (482)

Requirements

Pros & Cons

Typical Process Timeline

Ireland Critical Skills Permit

Requirements

Pros & Cons

Typical Process Timeline

Sweden Work Permit

Requirements

Pros & Cons

Typical Process Timeline

France Passeport Talent

Requirements

Pros & Cons

Typical Process Timeline

Visa Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

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