United Kingdom vs Canada: permanent residence
United Kingdom or Canada for a permanent residence? ₹4.11 lakh vs ₹1.08 lakh government fee, processing windows and funds side by side.
Verdict
- Canada is cheaper (₹1.08 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)
- Canada: Express Entry, CAD 1,590 principal applicant, 6 months for most complete applications after submission
- Pick on the points or residence test and the years to eligibility; the fee is the smaller difference.
United Kingdom vs Canada: permanent residence side by side
| United Kingdom | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence route | Indefinite leave to remain | Express Entry |
| Government fee | ₹4.11 lakh | ₹1.08 lakh |
| Route page fee (official) | £3,226 per person | CAD 1,590 principal applicant |
| Processing (route page) | Up to 6 months; priority 5 working days (£500); super priority next working day (£1,000) | 6 months for most complete applications after submission |
| Funds, income or salary threshold | See route page | CAD 15,263 (FSW and FST; not needed for CEC or with a valid job offer and work authorisation) |
Which is cheaper?
United Kingdom costs ₹4.11 lakh government fee and Canada ₹1.08 lakh. Canada is cheaper by ₹3.03 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: Up to 6 months; priority 5 working days (£500); super priority next working day (£1,000). Canada: 6 months for most complete applications after submission. 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: no fixed figure; see the route page. Canada: CAD 15,263 (FSW and FST; not needed for CEC or with a valid job offer and work authorisation). Statements must be seasoned and match the plan or the sponsor's declaration.
How the processes differ
United Kingdom: Indefinite leave to remain, filed with gov.uk. Canada: Express Entry, filed with canada.ca. 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), Canada via the Express Entry (CAD 1,590 principal 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 Canada 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 Canada 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 Canada?
Canada is cheaper per applicant, but value depends on validity: United Kingdom is valid 6 months and Canada Up to 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 United Kingdom and Canada sources cited on each destination page and on the verified route pages and re-checked when the authorities publish changes.