United Kingdom vs Australia: permanent residence
United Kingdom or Australia for a permanent residence? ₹4.11 lakh vs ₹4.07 lakh government fee, processing windows and funds side by side.
Verdict
- Australia is cheaper (₹4.07 lakh vs ₹4.11 lakh government fee)
- United Kingdom: Indefinite leave to remain, £3,226 per person, Up to 6 months; priority 5 working days (£500); super priority next working day (£1,000)
- Australia: Skilled Independent visa, AUD 6,135 main applicant, Several months to about a year after lodgement; Home Affairs publishes monthly figures
- Pick on the points or residence test and the years to eligibility; the fee is the smaller difference.
United Kingdom vs Australia: permanent residence side by side
| United Kingdom | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence route | Indefinite leave to remain | Skilled Independent visa |
| Government fee | ₹4.11 lakh | ₹4.07 lakh |
| Route page fee (official) | £3,226 per person | AUD 6,135 main applicant |
| Processing (route page) | Up to 6 months; priority 5 working days (£500); super priority next working day (£1,000) | Several months to about a year after lodgement; Home Affairs publishes monthly figures |
Which is cheaper?
United Kingdom costs ₹4.11 lakh government fee and Australia ₹4.07 lakh. Australia is cheaper by ₹4,597 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: Up to 6 months; priority 5 working days (£500); super priority next working day (£1,000). Australia: Several months to about a year after lodgement; Home Affairs publishes monthly figures. 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 asks for about an unspecified amount and Australia 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
United Kingdom: Indefinite leave to remain, filed with gov.uk. Australia: Skilled Independent 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 permanent residence?
Permanent residence is a points or residence test rather than a document check: United Kingdom via the Indefinite leave to remain (£3,226 per person), Australia via the Skilled Independent visa (AUD 6,135 main applicant). 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 United Kingdom or Australia 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 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?
Australia 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.