United Kingdom vs 
Japan: permanent residence
United Kingdom or Japan for a permanent residence? ₹4.11 lakh vs ₹1.19 lakh government fee, processing windows, funds and the verified route pages side by side.
Verdict
- Japan is cheaper (₹1.19 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)
- 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.
United Kingdom vs Japan: permanent residence side by side
| United Kingdom | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence route | Indefinite leave to remain | Permanent residence |
| Government fee | ₹4.11 lakh | ₹1.19 lakh |
| Route page fee (official) | £3,226 per person | ¥200,000 permission fee (paid in Japan on approval) |
| Processing (route page) | Up to 6 months; priority 5 working days (£500); super priority next working day (£1,000) | Standard 4 months; 6 to 12 months in practice |
Which is cheaper?
United Kingdom costs ₹4.11 lakh government fee and Japan ₹1.19 lakh. Japan is cheaper by ₹2.92 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). 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?
United Kingdom asks for about an unspecified amount and Japan 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. 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: United Kingdom via the Indefinite leave to remain (£3,226 per person), 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.