United States vs 
Japan: family visa
United States or Japan for a family visa? ₹30,752 vs ₹500 government fee, processing windows, funds and the verified route pages side by side.
Verdict
- Japan is cheaper (₹500 vs ₹30,752 government fee)
- United States: Family immigrant visa, USD 325 per applicant
- 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 States vs Japan: family visa side by side
| United States | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Family visa route | Family immigrant visa | Dependent and spouse visas |
| Government fee | ₹30,752 | ₹500 |
| Route page fee (official) | USD 325 per applicant | ₹500 visa fee per dependant (Certificate of Eligibility is free) |
| Processing (route page) | 3–12 working days after interview | COE 1 to 3 months; visa about 5 working days |
| Funds, income or salary threshold | 125 percent of the poverty guidelines for the household size on Form I-864 | See route page |
Which is cheaper?
United States costs ₹30,752 government fee and Japan ₹500. Japan is cheaper by ₹30,252 per applicant. Government fees are charged at the official rate; the partner's fee is quoted on the destination page.
Which is faster?
United States: 3–12 working days after interview. 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 States: 125 percent of the poverty guidelines for the household size on Form I-864. 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 States: Family immigrant visa, filed with travel.state.gov. 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 States uses the Family immigrant visa (USD 325 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.