Australia vs United States: permanent residence
Australia or United States for a permanent residence? ₹4.07 lakh vs ₹67,653 government fee, processing windows and funds side by side.
Verdict
- United States is cheaper (₹67,653 vs ₹4.07 lakh government fee)
- Australia: Skilled Independent visa, AUD 6,135 main applicant, Several months to about a year after lodgement; Home Affairs publishes monthly figures
- United States: Green card, USD 715 I-140 petition, USD 2,805; 15 business days (45 for some EB-1C and NIW)
- Pick on the points or residence test and the years to eligibility; the fee is the smaller difference.
Australia vs United States: permanent residence side by side
| Australia | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence route | Skilled Independent visa | Green card |
| Government fee | ₹4.07 lakh | ₹67,653 |
| Route page fee (official) | AUD 6,135 main applicant | USD 715 I-140 petition |
| Processing (route page) | Several months to about a year after lodgement; Home Affairs publishes monthly figures | USD 2,805; 15 business days (45 for some EB-1C and NIW) |
Which is cheaper?
Australia costs ₹4.07 lakh government fee and United States ₹67,653. United States is cheaper by ₹3.39 lakh per applicant. Government fees are charged at the official rate; the partner's fee is quoted on the destination page.
Which is faster?
Australia: Several months to about a year after lodgement; Home Affairs publishes monthly figures. United States: USD 2,805; 15 business days (45 for some EB-1C and NIW). 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?
Australia asks for about an unspecified amount and United States about an unspecified amount for a permanent residence. In both, statements must be seasoned for three months and match the plan you describe.
How the processes differ
Australia: Skilled Independent visa, filed with immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. United States: Green card, filed with travel.state.gov. 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 permanent residence?
Permanent residence is a points or residence test rather than a document check: Australia via the Skilled Independent visa (AUD 6,135 main applicant), United States via the Green card (USD 715 I-140 petition). Compare the years to eligibility, the points or residence test and the processing window; the fee is the smallest difference between them.
Questions, answered
Is Australia or United States easier to get a permanent residence 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 Australia and United States 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, Australia or United States?
United States is cheaper per applicant, but value depends on validity: Australia is valid 6–12 months in practice (up to 12 months, decided at grant) and United States 10 years. 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 Australia and United States sources cited on each destination page and on the verified route pages and re-checked when the authorities publish changes.