United Kingdom vs Australia: family visa
United Kingdom or Australia for a family visa? ₹2.63 lakh vs ₹7.76 lakh government fee, processing windows, funds and the verified route pages side by side.
Verdict
- United Kingdom is cheaper (₹2.63 lakh vs ₹7.76 lakh government fee)
- United Kingdom: Spouse and partner visa, £2,064 per applicant, About 12 weeks; priority about 30 working days
- Australia: Partner visa, AUD 11,710 main applicant, Often more than a year for the 309; the 100 is assessed from two years after lodgement
- Pick on the sponsor's income test and the relationship evidence; the fee is the smaller difference.
United Kingdom vs Australia: family visa side by side
| United Kingdom | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Family visa route | Spouse and partner visa | Partner visa |
| Government fee | ₹2.63 lakh | ₹7.76 lakh |
| Route page fee (official) | £2,064 per applicant | AUD 11,710 main applicant |
| Processing (route page) | About 12 weeks; priority about 30 working days | Often more than a year for the 309; the 100 is assessed from two years after lodgement |
| Funds, income or salary threshold | £29,000 gross a year from the sponsor (and the applicant if already in the UK), or £88,500 in cash savings | None; sponsor must be approved and pass character checks |
Which is cheaper?
United Kingdom costs ₹2.63 lakh government fee and Australia ₹7.76 lakh. United Kingdom is cheaper by ₹5.13 lakh per applicant. Government fees are charged at the official rate; the partner's fee is quoted on the destination page.
Which is faster?
United Kingdom: About 12 weeks; priority about 30 working days. Australia: Often more than a year for the 309; the 100 is assessed from two years after lodgement. Both windows are the authority's own published figures as read on the route pages; a complete file at submission is the single biggest lever on either.
Which needs less money in the bank?
United Kingdom: £29,000 gross a year from the sponsor (and the applicant if already in the UK), or £88,500 in cash savings. Australia: None; sponsor must be approved and pass character checks. Statements must be seasoned and match the plan or the sponsor's declaration.
How the processes differ
United Kingdom: Spouse and partner visa, filed with gov.uk. Australia: Partner visa, filed with immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Both are decided on the sponsor's or applicant's status and the evidence file rather than at a visa window; the route pages list the steps, the document checklist and the refusal reasons for each.
Which should you pick for a family visa?
Family routes turn on the sponsor's status and income and on relationship evidence, not on the applicant's profile: United Kingdom uses the Spouse and partner visa (£2,064 per applicant) and Australia the Partner visa (AUD 11,710 main applicant). Processing is the slowest of any visa type, so pick the one whose window and income test fit your household, then build the relationship file to that standard.
Questions, answered
Is United Kingdom or Australia easier to get a family visa for?
Both ask for similar funds. Approval depends more on clean documents than on the destination; both refuse mainly for inconsistent funds and weak ties.
Can I apply for United Kingdom and Australia at the same time?
Yes for e-visas, since no passport is held. If either is a sticker visa the passport is with that consulate, so sequence the sticker application first or use the second passport option where your country allows one.
Which is better value, United Kingdom or Australia?
United Kingdom is cheaper per applicant, but value depends on validity: United Kingdom is valid 6 months and Australia 6–12 months in practice (up to 12 months, decided at grant). A longer, multiple-entry visa costs less per trip.
Where do these figures come from?
Government fees, processing windows and funds figures are taken from the official United Kingdom and Australia sources cited on each destination page and on the verified route pages and re-checked when the authorities publish changes.