Data Study · 2026

The fastest & slowest visas to get

“How long does a visa take?” depends entirely on which visa. A visa-on-arrival or e-Visa can be approved the same day; a residence or immigration pathway can take years. We ranked 157 visa and permit programs across 33 countries by their published processing window — verified against official immigration portals and dated. Times are planning estimates, not guarantees; your own case can run faster or slower.

On arrivalFastest — Jordan Tourist / Visa on Arrival (Jordan)

1–5 yearsSlowest — Australia Partner Visa (Australia)

8Programs approved same-day

#	Visa / permit	Country	Typical processing time
1	Jordan Tourist / Visa on Arrival	🇯🇴Jordan	On arrival0–0 days
2	Bahrain Tourist e-Visa	🇧🇭Bahrain	1 day1–1 days
3	Egypt Tourist Visa	🇪🇬Egypt	1 day1–1 days
4	Indonesia Tourist e-VOA	🇮🇩Indonesia	1 day1–1 days
5	Mexico Visitor Permit (FMM)	🇲🇽Mexico	1 day1–1 days
6	Oman Tourist e-Visa	🇴🇲Oman	1 day1–1 days
7	Saudi Arabia Tourist e-Visa	🇸🇦Saudi Arabia	1 day1–1 days
8	Turkey e-Visa	🇹🇷Turkey	1 day1–1 days
9	UAE Transit Visa	🇦🇪United Arab Emirates	1–2 days1–2 days
10	Umrah Religious Visa	🇸🇦Saudi Arabia	Up to 3 days0–3 days
11	Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)	🇦🇺Australia	1–3 days1–3 days
12	Electronic Travel Authorization	🇨🇦Canada	1–3 days1–3 days
13	Malaysia eVISA (Tourist)	🇲🇾Malaysia	1–3 days1–3 days
14	Qatar Tourist e-Visa / Visa on Arrival	🇶🇦Qatar	1–3 days1–3 days
15	Ethiopia Tourist e-Visa	🇪🇹Ethiopia	2–3 days2–3 days
16	Kenya e-Visa / ETA	🇰🇪Kenya	2–3 days2–3 days
17	UAE Tourist Visa	🇦🇪United Arab Emirates	2–3 days2–3 days
18	India Tourist e-Visa (eTV)	🇮🇳India	3 days3–3 days
19	Vietnam Tourist e-Visa	🇻🇳Vietnam	3 days3–3 days
20	India e-Business Visa	🇮🇳India	1–4 days1–4 days
21	India e-Conference Visa	🇮🇳India	1–4 days1–4 days
22	India e-Medical Visa	🇮🇳India	1–4 days1–4 days
23	UAE Tourist Visa	🇦🇪United Arab Emirates	2–4 days2–4 days
24	Singapore Tourist Visa	🇸🇬Singapore	1–5 days1–5 days
25	UAE Student Visa	🇦🇪United Arab Emirates	2–5 days2–5 days
26	Kuwait Tourist eVisa	🇰🇼Kuwait	3–5 days3–5 days
27	Qatar Business Visa	🇶🇦Qatar	3–5 days3–5 days
28	Thailand Business Visa	🇹🇭Thailand	3–5 days3–5 days
29	Vietnam Business Visa (DN)	🇻🇳Vietnam	3–5 days3–5 days
30	China Student Visa (X1/X2)	🇨🇳China	4–5 days4–5 days
31	Thailand Tourist Visa	🇹🇭Thailand	2–7 days2–7 days
32	Egypt Tourist Visa	🇪🇬Egypt	3–7 days3–7 days
33	Indonesia Digital Nomad Visa	🇮🇩Indonesia	3–7 days3–7 days
34	Japan Tourist Visa	🇯🇵Japan	3–7 days3–7 days
35	South Korea Tourist Visa	🇰🇷South Korea	3–7 days3–7 days
36	Thailand Student Visa	🇹🇭Thailand	3–7 days3–7 days
37	Vietnam Temporary Residence Card	🇻🇳Vietnam	3–7 days3–7 days
38	China Tourist Visa (L)	🇨🇳China	4–7 days4–7 days
39	China Transit Visa (G Visa)	🇨🇳China	4–7 days4–7 days
40	UAE Work Permit	🇦🇪United Arab Emirates	5–7 days5–7 days
41	Saudi Arabia Transit Visa	🇸🇦Saudi Arabia	3–10 days3–10 days
42	China Business Visa (M Visa)	🇨🇳China	4–10 days4–10 days
43	China Exchange / Visit Visa (F Visa)	🇨🇳China	4–10 days4–10 days
44	China Work Visa (Z)	🇨🇳China	5–10 days5–10 days
45	India Employment Visa (E Visa)	🇮🇳India	5–10 days5–10 days
46	Indonesia Second Home Visa	🇮🇩Indonesia	5–10 days5–10 days
47	Mexico Temporary Resident Visa	🇲🇽Mexico	5–10 days5–10 days
48	Morocco Tourist Visa	🇲🇦Morocco	5–10 days5–10 days
49	Philippines Tourist Visa (9A)	🇵🇭Philippines	5–10 days5–10 days
50	Saudi Arabia Business Visa	🇸🇦Saudi Arabia	5–10 days5–10 days
51	South Korea Student Visa	🇰🇷South Korea	5–10 days5–10 days
52	Thailand Retirement Visa	🇹🇭Thailand	5–10 days5–10 days
53	UAE Freelance Work Permit	🇦🇪United Arab Emirates	5–10 days5–10 days
54	Vietnam Work Permit	🇻🇳Vietnam	5–10 days5–10 days
55	Brazil Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)	🇧🇷Brazil	10 days10–10 days
56	Qatar Work Visa / QID	🇶🇦Qatar	1–2 weeks7–14 days
57	Bahrain Golden Residency	🇧🇭Bahrain	2 weeks14–14 days
58	Brazil Tourist Visa (VIVIS)	🇧🇷Brazil	1–2 weeks5–15 days
59	India Student Visa (S Visa)	🇮🇳India	1–2 weeks5–15 days
60	Kuwait Business Visa	🇰🇼Kuwait	1–2 weeks5–15 days
61	South Korea Work Visa	🇰🇷South Korea	1–2 weeks5–15 days
62	Mexico Work Permit	🇲🇽Mexico	1–2 weeks10–15 days
63	South Africa Tourist Visa	🇿🇦South Africa	1–2 weeks10–15 days
64	Taiwan Visitor Visa / Visa-Exempt Landing	🇹🇼Taiwan	1–3 weeks3–20 days
65	Singapore Work Pass	🇸🇬Singapore	1–3 weeks5–20 days
66	Bahrain Work Permit	🇧🇭Bahrain	1–3 weeks10–20 days
67	Brazil Temporary Work Visa (VITEM V)	🇧🇷Brazil	1–3 weeks10–20 days
68	Ethiopia Work Permit	🇪🇹Ethiopia	1–3 weeks10–20 days
69	Morocco Work Contract Visa (Visa de Travail)	🇲🇦Morocco	1–3 weeks10–20 days
70	Oman Work Visa (Employment Visa)	🇴🇲Oman	1–3 weeks10–20 days
71	South Africa Study Permit	🇿🇦South Africa	1–3 weeks10–20 days
72	Israel A/2 Student Visa	🇮🇱Israel	1–3 weeks5–21 days
73	Qatar Family Residence Permit	🇶🇦Qatar	1–3 weeks7–21 days
74	South Korea Working Holiday Visa	🇰🇷South Korea	1–3 weeks7–21 days
75	UAE Green Visa	🇦🇪United Arab Emirates	1–3 weeks7–21 days
76	Health and Care Worker Visa	🇬🇧United Kingdom	3 weeks21–21 days
77	Skilled Worker Visa	🇬🇧United Kingdom	3 weeks21–21 days
78	Standard Visitor Visa	🇬🇧United Kingdom	3 weeks21–21 days
79	Student Visa	🇬🇧United Kingdom	3 weeks21–21 days
80	Youth Mobility Scheme	🇬🇧United Kingdom	3 weeks21–21 days
81	Temporary Resident Visa	🇨🇦Canada	4 weeks25–25 days
82	Japan Work Visa	🇯🇵Japan	1–4 weeks10–28 days
83	New Zealand Working Holiday Visa	🇳🇿New Zealand	1–4 weeks5–30 days
84	Quebec Study Authorisation	🇨🇦Canada	1–4 weeks10–30 days
85	Malaysia Employment Pass	🇲🇾Malaysia	1–4 weeks10–30 days
86	Brazil Student Visa	🇧🇷Brazil	2–4 weeks14–30 days
87	Indonesia Retirement KITAS	🇮🇩Indonesia	2–4 weeks14–30 days
88	Philippines Student Visa	🇵🇭Philippines	2–4 weeks14–30 days
89	Saudi Arabia Family Residence Visa	🇸🇦Saudi Arabia	2–4 weeks14–30 days
90	Singapore ONE Pass	🇸🇬Singapore	2–4 weeks14–30 days
91	Singapore Student Pass	🇸🇬Singapore	2–4 weeks14–30 days
92	Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa	🇹🇭Thailand	2–4 weeks14–30 days
93	Turkey Student Residence Permit	🇹🇷Turkey	2–4 weeks14–30 days
94	Jordan Work Permit	🇯🇴Jordan	2–4 weeks15–30 days
95	Philippines 9G Work Visa (Pre-Arranged Employment)	🇵🇭Philippines	2–4 weeks15–30 days
96	Turkey Residence Permit	🇹🇷Turkey	2–4 weeks15–30 days
97	Indonesia KITAS (Work Stay Permit)	🇮🇩Indonesia	3–4 weeks20–30 days
98	Oman Long-Stay / Integrated Residency Visa	🇴🇲Oman	3–4 weeks20–30 days
99	Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)	🇦🇺Australia	2–5 weeks14–35 days
100	International Experience Canada	🇨🇦Canada	5 weeks35–35 days
101	Ethiopia Investment Residence	🇪🇹Ethiopia	3–6 weeks20–40 days
102	Jordan Long-Stay / Retirement Residency	🇯🇴Jordan	3–6 weeks20–40 days
103	Philippines Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)	🇵🇭Philippines	3–6 weeks20–40 days
104	Kuwait Work Visa / IQAMA Residence Permit	🇰🇼Kuwait	2–6 weeks14–42 days
105	Global Talent Visa	🇬🇧United Kingdom	6 weeks42–42 days
106	Maldives Work Permit	🇲🇻Maldives	1–6 weeks7–45 days
107	Schengen Airport Transit Visa (Type A)	🇪🇺Schengen Area	1–6 weeks10–45 days
108	Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C)	🇪🇺Schengen Area	1–6 weeks10–45 days
109	Thailand Work Permit	🇹🇭Thailand	2–6 weeks14–45 days
110	Egypt Work Visa	🇪🇬Egypt	3–6 weeks20–45 days
111	Turkey Work Permit	🇹🇷Turkey	3–6 weeks20–45 days
112	UAE Golden Visa	🇦🇪United Arab Emirates	3–6 weeks20–45 days
113	Study Permit	🇨🇦Canada	8 weeks54–54 days
114	Taiwan Work Permit and Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)	🇹🇼Taiwan	1–8 weeks7–56 days
115	Malaysia Digital Nomad Pass	🇲🇾Malaysia	6–8 weeks42–56 days
116	Singapore EntrePass	🇸🇬Singapore	6–8 weeks42–56 days
117	Graduate Visa	🇬🇧United Kingdom	8 weeks56–56 days
118	Visitor Visa (subclass 600)	🇦🇺Australia	2–9 weeks14–60 days
119	Israel Start-Up Nation Skilled Worker Residence	🇮🇱Israel	2–9 weeks14–60 days
120	Japan Student Visa	🇯🇵Japan	2–9 weeks14–60 days
121	New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa	🇳🇿New Zealand	2–9 weeks14–60 days
122	New Zealand Essential Skills Work Visa	🇳🇿New Zealand	3–9 weeks20–60 days
123	New Zealand Student Visa	🇳🇿New Zealand	3–9 weeks20–60 days
124	New Zealand Visitor Visa	🇳🇿New Zealand	3–9 weeks20–60 days
125	Kenya Investor Permit	🇰🇪Kenya	4–9 weeks30–60 days
126	Kenya Work Permit (Class G)	🇰🇪Kenya	4–9 weeks30–60 days
127	Malaysia Student Pass	🇲🇾Malaysia	4–9 weeks30–60 days
128	Morocco Long-Stay / Residency Card	🇲🇦Morocco	4–9 weeks30–60 days
129	Hajj Pilgrimage Visa	🇸🇦Saudi Arabia	4–9 weeks30–60 days
130	Saudi Arabia Work Residency (Iqama)	🇸🇦Saudi Arabia	4–9 weeks30–60 days
131	South Africa Critical Skills Work Visa	🇿🇦South Africa	4–9 weeks30–60 days
132	Student Visa (subclass 500)	🇦🇺Australia	4–11 weeks28–75 days
133	Family Visa	🇬🇧United Kingdom	12 weeks84–84 days
134	Japan Business Manager Visa	🇯🇵Japan	1–3 months30–90 days
135	Japan Engineer / Specialist in Humanities Visa	🇯🇵Japan	1–3 months30–90 days
136	Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa	🇯🇵Japan	1–3 months30–90 days
137	Japan Work Visa	🇯🇵Japan	1–3 months30–90 days
138	Provincial Nominee Program	🇨🇦Canada	2–3 months60–90 days
139	Israel B/1 Work Visa	🇮🇱Israel	1–3 months14–98 days
140	Taiwan Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC)	🇹🇼Taiwan	1–4 months14–120 days
141	Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482)	🇦🇺Australia	1–4 months30–120 days
142	Post-Graduation Work Permit	🇨🇦Canada	1–4 months30–120 days
143	Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)	🇦🇺Australia	2–4 months60–120 days
144	Taiwan Employment Gold Card	🇹🇼Taiwan	1–5 months30–150 days
145	Super Visa	🇨🇦Canada	2–6 months56–168 days
146	Malaysia MM2H (Second Home)	🇲🇾Malaysia	2–6 months60–180 days
147	Express Entry	🇨🇦Canada	7 months210–210 days
148	Express Entry	🇨🇦Canada	7 months210–210 days
149	Provincial Nominee Program	🇨🇦Canada	7 months210–210 days
150	Quebec Skilled Worker	🇨🇦Canada	3–8 months90–240 days
151	Provincial Nominee Program	🇨🇦Canada	6–9 months180–270 days
152	Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)	🇦🇺Australia	3–12 months90–365 days
153	Provincial Nominee Program	🇨🇦Canada	6–12 months180–365 days
154	Family Sponsorship	🇨🇦Canada	10–13 months300–395 days
155	Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491)	🇦🇺Australia	4–18 months120–540 days
156	Quebec Skilled Worker	🇨🇦Canada	1–2 years180–730 days
157	Australia Partner Visa	🇦🇺Australia	1–5 years365–1825 days

How we built this ranking

What we measure. The time from a complete application to a decision, shown as the typical minimum–maximum window published for each visa or permit. Programs are ranked by their worst-case (maximum) time, fastest first.
What “fast” really means. The quickest programs are electronic and skip consular review — visa-on-arrival, e-Visas and electronic travel authorisations. The slowest are immigration and residence pathwaysthat involve eligibility scoring, background checks and quotas.
Your mileage varies. Real processing time depends on your nationality, the consulate handling your file, the season and whether extra checks are triggered. Treat every figure as a planning estimate and apply well ahead of travel.
Fast-track tiers exist. Some governments sell official priority or premium service that shortens processing for a fee. Where it exists it is set by the government — be wary of unofficial “expedite” offers from agents.
What we include. Only programs with a verified processing range are ranked. Pure visa-free entry (no application at all) is covered separately in our longest visa-free stays study.

Visa processing times — FAQ

Which visas are the fastest to get?

Electronic permits issued without consular review are the fastest: visa-on-arrival schemes (such as Jordan and Egypt), e-Visas and electronic travel authorisations (Turkey, India, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Australia’s ETA, Canada’s eTA) are typically approved within one to three days, and many are instant on arrival. Anything that requires a consulate to assess documents — long-stay, work, study and family visas — takes far longer.

Which visas take the longest to process?

Immigration and permanent-residence pathways are the slowest. Provincial nominee and Express Entry streams in Canada, Australia’s skilled and partner visas, and family-sponsorship cases routinely run from several months to multiple years. These involve eligibility scoring, background checks and quota management rather than a simple document check.

Is the processing time the same for every nationality?

Not always. Headline processing times reflect the standard published service standard for a visa, but real times vary with your nationality, the consulate handling your file, the season, and whether extra security or document checks are triggered. Always treat the figure as a planning estimate and apply well ahead of travel.

Does paying more make a visa process faster?

Sometimes. Several countries offer official premium, priority or “fast-track” tiers that shorten processing for an additional fee — for example UK priority and super-priority service. Where a fast-track option exists it is set by the government, not a third-party agent; unofficial “expedite” offers should be treated with caution.

How current are these processing times?

Each figure is verified against the destination government’s immigration or foreign-ministry portal and dated. Processing standards change with demand and policy, so we re-review them on a rolling basis. The range shown is the typical published window, not a guarantee for an individual case.

Cite or embed this study

Free to reference with attribution. Researchers, journalists and bloggers are welcome to cite this ranking or drop the credit line on a page that uses our data.

Cite this study

Visa Search by Altoglobe. (2026). Visa Processing Times (2026). Retrieved from https://www.thevisasearch.com/visa-processing-times

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<p>Source: <a href="https://www.thevisasearch.com/visa-processing-times">Visa Processing Times (2026)</a> by Visa Search by Altoglobe.</p>

Sources & verification. Processing windows are drawn from the Visa Search database, where every figure is verified against the highest available authority — the destination government’s immigration or foreign-ministry portal, then official e-visa / application portals and reputable visa-policy references. Only active, verified programs with a published processing range are ranked. Data last reviewed June 2026. See our Editorial & Data Standards for our full sourcing and correction process, or explore the longest visa-free stays and e-Visa & ETA guide. Spot an error? Tell us and we’ll review it.