The comparison
| Destination | Main employer-bound routes | Main person-bound routes | Time to permanence (indicative) | Dependants' work rights | Country-of-birth sensitivity | Best used as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | L-1A/B, H-1B, TN, E-2 (treaty nationals) | O-1 (agent), EB-1A, EB-2 NIW; permanent residence | 2–3 years for most nationalities via EB-1C; years longer for China/India in backlogged categories | L-2 spouse works incident to status; H-4 limited; O-3 none; E-2 spouse works | Very high | Second station |
| Canada | ICT (C12), LMIA-based permits, GTS | Express Entry PR; Start-up Visa; PNP | Often 1–2 years after arrival with Canadian experience, draw-dependent | Spousal open permits restricted since 2025 for some categories | Low | Second station; alternative for backlogged nationalities |
| Japan | Intra-company Transferee; Engineer/Specialist; Business Manager | Highly Skilled Professional (ii); permanent residence | 1–3 years on HSP points; 10 years standard | Dependants may work within limits on permission | Low | First station; research base |
| Singapore | Employment Pass (COMPASS), S Pass | ONE Pass, PEP, EntrePass; PR | PR discretionary, typically after years of residence | Dependants need their own pass to work | Low (PR is discretionary) | First station; family-office base |
| Hong Kong | GEP, ASMTP, TechTAS | TTPS, QMAS; right of abode at 7 years | 7 years' ordinary residence | Dependants of most talent schemes may work | Low | First station; regional base |
| Australia | Skills in Demand (482) | 189/190 points; NIV; 186 after period | 2–4 years | Dependants generally have full work rights on 482 | Low | Alternative second station |
| New Zealand | Accredited Employer Work Visa | Skilled Migrant; Green List; Active Investor Plus | Straight-to-residence available for Green List Tier 1; otherwise 2+ years | Partner work rights depend on the principal's occupation and pay | Low | Alternative second station |
| United Kingdom | Skilled Worker; GBM Senior or Specialist Worker (no settlement) | Global Talent; Innovator Founder; HPI (no settlement) | 5 years on settlement routes, subject to reform | Dependants generally may work | Low | Second station for Europe-facing families |
| Malta | Single permit employment | MPRP; Nomad Residence Permit; tax-status programmes | Permanent residence by programme; citizenship by merit is exceptional | Dependants included in residence programmes; work rights vary | Low | EU residence base |
Indicative only. Each cell is expanded, with official sources, in the destination guides and programme pages. Rules change; the authority decides.
How to read it
Three patterns stand out. First, the Asian hubs are strong first stations and weak final destinations for families that want permanence quickly: Japan is the exception, with points-based permanent residence in as little as a year for those who qualify. Second, North America is the strongest second station, and the choice between the United States and Canada is driven more by country of birth and family work rights than by preference. Third, person-bound routes exist in every system but are earned, not applied for: the way to a ONE Pass, a Global Talent visa, an O-1 or permanent residence anywhere runs through a record of real work, which is the first station's job to create.
General information, not an individual eligibility decision or legal, tax or investment advice. The competent authority determines the outcome. WG’s engagement and any regulated professional work are scoped separately.