# WIMA policy database field notes

Release ID: `WIMA-POL-2026-10-02`
Release version: `2026.10.02`
Cut-off: `2026-10-02T00:00:00Z`
Schema version: `policy-1.0`
Method version: `policy-method-1.0`

This release contains 12 reviewed route records across 10 jurisdictions. Coverage is selective, not comprehensive. An absent jurisdiction or route is not evidence that no policy exists.

WIMA is not a government authority and does not issue visas, residence permits or citizenship. Confirm current requirements with the responsible authorities before acting.

## File design

- The JSON distribution preserves the complete public record structure, including source identifiers and the source register.
- The CSV distribution contains one row per route and flattens multi-value fields with ` | ` separators.
- Dates use ISO 8601 in machine fields. Display text may preserve a qualified date description.
- Amounts remain in claim text because thresholds can contain formulas, alternatives and conditions that are not safely reducible to one number.

## Stable identifiers

- `record_id` identifies a route across releases.
- `record_version_id` identifies this record version in this release.
- `route_slug` and `jurisdiction_slug` form the public route URL.
- `release_id`, `release_version` and `cutoff` identify the dataset state.

## Status fields

- `legal_status` describes the route's legal state.
- `intake_status` describes whether applications are being accepted.
- `operational_status` describes whether the responsible process is operating.

These dimensions must not be collapsed into a generic active or inactive flag.

## Missing and qualified values

- `Not established`: WIMA could not verify the proposition from the cited official material.
- `Not stated`: the reviewed route sources do not state the field.
- `Not applicable`: the field does not apply to the route outcome or status.
- `Official sources conflict`: current official sources give materially different answers and the discrepancy is unresolved.
- `Conditional`: the statement depends on eligibility, another process or continuing compliance.

Missing values must not be converted to zero, false or a favourable assumption.

## Evidence tiers

- `A1`: legislation, regulations, decrees, official gazettes and other binding instruments.
- `A2`: formal decisions, official notices, registers and signed or versioned authority documents.
- `B1`: responsible-authority service pages, application portals and current official guidance.
- `B2`: official FAQs, consular pages, news releases and explanatory statements.

The tier describes the source, not the importance of the claim. Operational evidence does not override a controlling legal instrument, and a legal instrument does not by itself establish that an application channel is operating.

## Citation

Suggested citation: World Investment Migration Association, *Policy database release 2026.10.02*, release `WIMA-POL-2026-10-02`, cut-off 2 October 2026.

Use `SHA256SUMS.txt` to verify the downloaded files. Each route's official sources and access date are included in the JSON distribution and on the public record page.