Canada vs 
Japan: permanent residence
Canada or Japan for a permanent residence? ₹1.08 lakh vs ₹1.19 lakh government fee, processing windows, funds and the verified route pages side by side.
Verdict
- Canada is cheaper (₹1.08 lakh vs ₹1.19 lakh government fee)
- Canada: Express Entry, CAD 1,590 principal applicant, 6 months for most complete applications after submission
- Japan: Permanent residence, ¥200,000 permission fee (paid in Japan on approval), Standard 4 months; 6 to 12 months in practice
- Pick on the points or residence test and the years to eligibility; the fee is the smaller difference.
Canada vs Japan: permanent residence side by side
| Canada | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence route | Express Entry | Permanent residence |
| Government fee | ₹1.08 lakh | ₹1.19 lakh |
| Route page fee (official) | CAD 1,590 principal applicant | ¥200,000 permission fee (paid in Japan on approval) |
| Processing (route page) | 6 months for most complete applications after submission | Standard 4 months; 6 to 12 months in practice |
| Funds, income or salary threshold | CAD 15,263 (FSW and FST; not needed for CEC or with a valid job offer and work authorisation) | See route page |
Which is cheaper?
Canada costs ₹1.08 lakh government fee and Japan ₹1.19 lakh. Canada is cheaper by ₹11,773 per applicant. Government fees are charged at the official rate; the partner's fee is quoted on the destination page.
Which is faster?
Canada: 6 months for most complete applications after submission. Japan: Standard 4 months; 6 to 12 months in practice. 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?
Canada: CAD 15,263 (FSW and FST; not needed for CEC or with a valid job offer and work authorisation). 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
Canada: Express Entry, filed with canada.ca. Japan: Permanent residence, 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 permanent residence?
Permanent residence is a points or residence test rather than a document check: Canada via the Express Entry (CAD 1,590 principal applicant), Japan via the Permanent residence (¥200,000 permission fee (paid in Japan on approval)). Compare the years to eligibility, the points or residence test and the processing window; the fee is the smallest difference between them.