A flow entry timing processing method and an apparatus are provided, and relate to the computer field, to resolve a prior-art problem that processing time of a flow entry is not accurate enough. The method includes: receiving, by a forwarding plane device, a flow rule message sent by a control plane device, where the flow rule message includes an ineffective time of a flow entry and a time type identifier of the ineffective time; and when the time type identifier indicates that the ineffective time is an ineffective moment of the flow entry, performing, by the forwarding plane device, ineffectiveness processing on the flow entry according to the ineffective moment.