Compare Immigration Pathways by Country
Compare fees, processing times, requirements, and pathway options across two or more countries side by side — every figure backed by cited official sources.
| Attribute | United States 13 Pathways |
|---|---|
| Official authority | — |
| Skilled work | |
| Pathway | O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa Skilled work USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (edition 10/07/26): Form I-129 for O petitions USD 1,055 paper or USD 1,005 online (small employer or nonprofit USD 530), plus other fees that may apply. State Department: visa application fee USD 205. USCIS: the employer should file at least 45 days before the date of employment; stay up to three years. New USCIS fees take effect October 16, 2026.≈ $1,055 USCIS processing-times tool, Form I-129 at Service Center Operations, 80% of cases are completed within: H-1B 11 months (visa to be issued abroad), 10 months (change of status), 11.5 months (extension); L intracompany 6.5 months; O extraordinary ability 14.5 months. After approval, State Department wait times (updated 17 Sep 2026) for the visa interview in the petition-based group (H, L, O, P, Q): New Delhi 3 months, Mumbai 1.5 months (appointment wait only). Job offer Language test Family possible |
| Work permit | |
| Pathway | J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa Work permit State Department fee page (USD): non-petition-based nonimmigrant visa application fee USD 185 (includes F, M and J). The SEVIS I-901 fee also applies and is paid at FMJfee.com (the amount is not shown on the Study in the States page). An issuance fee depends on your nationality.≈ $185 State Department global visa wait times (updated 17 Sep 2026): next available interview appointment for student and exchange visas (F, M, J) is 2 months at New Delhi and 2.5 months at Mumbai. This is the appointment wait, not the decision time. A student visa can be issued up to 365 days before the course start, and you may enter no more than 30 days before it. Job offer Language test Family possible |
| Employer sponsored | |
| Pathway | H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa Employer sponsored USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (edition 10/07/26): Form I-129 for H-1B USD 780 paper or USD 730 online (small employer or nonprofit USD 460), plus other fees that may apply. State Department: visa application fee USD 205. USCIS notes a new 9-11 Biometric Fee rule effective September 9, 2026, and that a court order of June 8, 2026 vacated agency guidance on the USD 100,000 payment requirement. New USCIS fees take effect October 16, 2026.≈ $780 USCIS processing-times tool, Form I-129 at Service Center Operations, 80% of cases are completed within: H-1B 11 months (visa to be issued abroad), 10 months (change of status), 11.5 months (extension); L intracompany 6.5 months; O extraordinary ability 14.5 months. After approval, State Department wait times (updated 17 Sep 2026) for the visa interview in the petition-based group (H, L, O, P, Q): New Delhi 3 months, Mumbai 1.5 months (appointment wait only). Job offer Language test Family possible |
L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa Employer sponsored USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (edition 10/07/26): Form I-129 for L petitions USD 1,385 paper or USD 1,335 online (small employer or nonprofit USD 695), plus other fees that may apply. State Department: visa application fee USD 205; L blanket petition fraud fee USD 500. New USCIS fees take effect October 16, 2026.≈ $1,385 USCIS processing-times tool, Form I-129 at Service Center Operations, 80% of cases are completed within: H-1B 11 months (visa to be issued abroad), 10 months (change of status), 11.5 months (extension); L intracompany 6.5 months; O extraordinary ability 14.5 months. After approval, State Department wait times (updated 17 Sep 2026) for the visa interview in the petition-based group (H, L, O, P, Q): New Delhi 3 months, Mumbai 1.5 months (appointment wait only). Job offer Language test Family possible | |
| Study | |
| Pathway | F-1 Student Visa (USA) Study State Department fee page (USD): non-petition-based nonimmigrant visa application fee USD 185 (includes F, M and J). The SEVIS I-901 fee also applies and is paid at FMJfee.com (the amount is not shown on the Study in the States page). An issuance fee depends on your nationality.≈ $185 State Department global visa wait times (updated 17 Sep 2026): next available interview appointment for student and exchange visas (F, M, J) is 2 months at New Delhi and 2.5 months at Mumbai. This is the appointment wait, not the decision time. A student visa can be issued up to 365 days before the course start, and you may enter no more than 30 days before it. Job offer Language test Family possible |
| Business | |
| Pathway | EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Business USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (edition 10/07/26): Form I-526 or I-526E USD 3,675; an initial I-526E also carries a separate USD 1,000 fee under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act. Minimum investment (USCIS page dated 03/01/2023): USD 1,050,000, or USD 800,000 in a targeted employment area. New fees take effect October 16, 2026.≈ $3,675 USCIS processing-times tool, 80% of cases are completed within: 36.5 months for Form I-526 (standalone investor) and 35 months for Form I-526E (regional center investor), both at the Immigrant Investor Program Office. Estimates change over time. Job offer Language test Family possible |
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa Business State Department fee page (USD): E treaty trader or investor visa application fee USD 315. Required investment amounts are not set by a fixed figure on the pages we read.≈ $315 Not stated. The State Department global wait-times table (updated 17 September 2026) has no column for E visas; it says wait times vary by location, season and visa category, so apply early. Job offer Language test Family possible | |
| Permanent residence | |
| Pathway | EB-1 Extraordinary Ability Green Card Permanent residence USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (edition 10/07/26): Form I-140 USD 715 paper or USD 665 online, plus the Asylum Program Fee (USD 600 regular petitioner, USD 300 small employer or self-petitioner, USD 0 nonprofit) and other fees that may apply. State Department: employment-based immigrant visa processing USD 345. USCIS says new inflation-adjusted fees take effect on October 16, 2026.≈ $715 USCIS processing-times tool: Form I-140 extraordinary ability (E11) at Service Center Operations, 80% of cases are completed within 32.5 months. Estimates differ by category and change over time. Job offer Language test Family possible |
Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2) - National Interest Waiver Permanent residence USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (edition 10/07/26): Form I-140 USD 715 paper or USD 665 online, plus the Asylum Program Fee (USD 600 regular petitioner, USD 300 small employer or self-petitioner, USD 0 nonprofit) and other fees that may apply. State Department: employment-based immigrant visa processing USD 345. USCIS says new inflation-adjusted fees take effect on October 16, 2026.≈ $715 USCIS processing-times tool: Form I-140 for advanced degree or exceptional ability requesting a National Interest Waiver at Service Center Operations, 80% of cases are completed within 30 months. The standard EB-2 category (E21) was not checked. Job offer Language test Family possible | |
EB-3 Skilled Worker Green Card Permanent residence USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (edition 10/07/26): Form I-140 USD 715 paper or USD 665 online, plus the Asylum Program Fee (USD 600 regular petitioner, USD 300 small employer or self-petitioner, USD 0 nonprofit) and other fees that may apply. State Department: employment-based immigrant visa processing USD 345. USCIS says new inflation-adjusted fees take effect on October 16, 2026.≈ $715 USCIS processing-times tool: Form I-140 skilled worker or professional (E31; E32) at Service Center Operations, 80% of cases are completed within 4 months. Estimates change over time. Job offer Language test Family possible | |
Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Permanent residence The two official State Department pages differ. The DV entry page says: "There is no cost to register for the DV Program." The State Department fee page lists a Diversity Visa Registration Fee of USD 1.00 (paid at registration by the principal applicant) and a Diversity Visa Application Fee of USD 330.00 per selectee. Check the E-DV site at the time you register.≈ $1 Not stated on the official page we read. Entries are accepted only during the registration period set each year. Job offer Language test Family possible | |
| Family | |
| Pathway | Immigrant Visa for a Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR1 or CR1) Family USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (edition 10/07/26): Form I-130 USD 675 paper or USD 625 online; Form I-485 for an adult USD 1,440 paper or USD 1,390 online. State Department: immigrant visa application processing USD 325 for immediate relatives; affidavit of support review USD 120 (only when reviewed domestically). USCIS says new inflation-adjusted fees take effect on October 16, 2026.≈ $675 USCIS processing-times tool (80% of cases completed within): I-130 for a U.S. citizen's spouse, parent or child under 21 is 25.5 months at Service Center Operations and 83.5 months at all field offices; I-485 family-based at New York City is 14.5 months (one example office, times differ by office). The State Department says the length of time for a visa varies from case to case and cannot be predicted with any accuracy. Job offer Language test Family possible |
Immediate Relative Family-Based Green Card Family USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (edition 10/07/26): Form I-130 USD 675 paper or USD 625 online; Form I-485 for an adult USD 1,440 paper or USD 1,390 online. State Department: immigrant visa application processing USD 325 for immediate relatives; affidavit of support review USD 120 (only when reviewed domestically). USCIS says new inflation-adjusted fees take effect on October 16, 2026.≈ $675 USCIS processing-times tool (80% of cases completed within): I-130 for a U.S. citizen's spouse, parent or child under 21 is 25.5 months at Service Center Operations and 83.5 months at all field offices; I-485 family-based at New York City is 14.5 months (one example office, times differ by office). The State Department says the length of time for a visa varies from case to case and cannot be predicted with any accuracy. Job offer Language test Family possible | |
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa
Skilled work
USCIS processing-times tool, Form I-129 at Service Center Operations, 80% of cases are completed within: H-1B 11 months (visa to be issued abroad), 10 months (change of status), 11.5 months (extension); L intracompany 6.5 months; O extraordinary ability 14.5 months. After approval, State Department wait times (updated 17 Sep 2026) for the visa interview in the petition-based group (H, L, O, P, Q): New Delhi 3 months, Mumbai 1.5 months (appointment wait only).
J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
Work permit
State Department global visa wait times (updated 17 Sep 2026): next available interview appointment for student and exchange visas (F, M, J) is 2 months at New Delhi and 2.5 months at Mumbai. This is the appointment wait, not the decision time. A student visa can be issued up to 365 days before the course start, and you may enter no more than 30 days before it.
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
Employer sponsored
USCIS processing-times tool, Form I-129 at Service Center Operations, 80% of cases are completed within: H-1B 11 months (visa to be issued abroad), 10 months (change of status), 11.5 months (extension); L intracompany 6.5 months; O extraordinary ability 14.5 months. After approval, State Department wait times (updated 17 Sep 2026) for the visa interview in the petition-based group (H, L, O, P, Q): New Delhi 3 months, Mumbai 1.5 months (appointment wait only).
L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa
Employer sponsored
USCIS processing-times tool, Form I-129 at Service Center Operations, 80% of cases are completed within: H-1B 11 months (visa to be issued abroad), 10 months (change of status), 11.5 months (extension); L intracompany 6.5 months; O extraordinary ability 14.5 months. After approval, State Department wait times (updated 17 Sep 2026) for the visa interview in the petition-based group (H, L, O, P, Q): New Delhi 3 months, Mumbai 1.5 months (appointment wait only).
F-1 Student Visa (USA)
Study
State Department global visa wait times (updated 17 Sep 2026): next available interview appointment for student and exchange visas (F, M, J) is 2 months at New Delhi and 2.5 months at Mumbai. This is the appointment wait, not the decision time. A student visa can be issued up to 365 days before the course start, and you may enter no more than 30 days before it.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Business
USCIS processing-times tool, 80% of cases are completed within: 36.5 months for Form I-526 (standalone investor) and 35 months for Form I-526E (regional center investor), both at the Immigrant Investor Program Office. Estimates change over time.
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
Business
Not stated. The State Department global wait-times table (updated 17 September 2026) has no column for E visas; it says wait times vary by location, season and visa category, so apply early.
EB-1 Extraordinary Ability Green Card
Permanent residence
USCIS processing-times tool: Form I-140 extraordinary ability (E11) at Service Center Operations, 80% of cases are completed within 32.5 months. Estimates differ by category and change over time.
Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2) - National Interest Waiver
Permanent residence
USCIS processing-times tool: Form I-140 for advanced degree or exceptional ability requesting a National Interest Waiver at Service Center Operations, 80% of cases are completed within 30 months. The standard EB-2 category (E21) was not checked.
EB-3 Skilled Worker Green Card
Permanent residence
USCIS processing-times tool: Form I-140 skilled worker or professional (E31; E32) at Service Center Operations, 80% of cases are completed within 4 months. Estimates change over time.
Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery
Permanent residence
Not stated on the official page we read. Entries are accepted only during the registration period set each year.
Immigrant Visa for a Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR1 or CR1)
Family
USCIS processing-times tool (80% of cases completed within): I-130 for a U.S. citizen's spouse, parent or child under 21 is 25.5 months at Service Center Operations and 83.5 months at all field offices; I-485 family-based at New York City is 14.5 months (one example office, times differ by office). The State Department says the length of time for a visa varies from case to case and cannot be predicted with any accuracy.
Immediate Relative Family-Based Green Card
Family
USCIS processing-times tool (80% of cases completed within): I-130 for a U.S. citizen's spouse, parent or child under 21 is 25.5 months at Service Center Operations and 83.5 months at all field offices; I-485 family-based at New York City is 14.5 months (one example office, times differ by office). The State Department says the length of time for a visa varies from case to case and cannot be predicted with any accuracy.