United Kingdom vs 
Japan: family visa
United Kingdom or Japan for a family visa? ₹2.63 lakh vs ₹500 government fee, about 12 weeks vs coe 1 to 3 months decision, funds and process compared.
Verdict
- Japan is cheaper (₹500 vs ₹2.63 lakh government fee)
- United Kingdom: Spouse and partner visa, £2,064 per applicant, About 12 weeks; priority about 30 working days
- Japan: Dependent and spouse visas, ₹500 visa fee per dependant (Certificate of Eligibility is free), COE 1 to 3 months; visa about 5 working days
- Pick on the sponsor's income test and the relationship evidence; the fee is the smaller difference.
United Kingdom vs Japan: family visa side by side
| United Kingdom | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Family visa route | Spouse and partner visa | Dependent and spouse visas |
| Government fee | ₹2.63 lakh | ₹500 |
| Route page fee (official) | £2,064 per applicant | ₹500 visa fee per dependant (Certificate of Eligibility is free) |
| Processing (route page) | About 12 weeks; priority about 30 working days | COE 1 to 3 months; visa about 5 working days |
| 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 | See route page |
Which is cheaper?
United Kingdom costs ₹2.63 lakh government fee and Japan ₹500. Japan is cheaper by ₹2.63 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. Japan: COE 1 to 3 months; visa about 5 working days. 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. Japan: no fixed figure; see the route page. 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. Japan: Dependent and spouse visas, filed with in.emb-japan.go.jp. 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 Japan the Dependent and spouse visas (₹500 visa fee per dependant (Certificate of Eligibility is free)). 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.