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United States vs Japan: permanent residence

United States or Japan for a permanent residence? ₹67,806 vs ₹1.2 lakh government fee, usd 2,805 vs standard 4 months decision, funds and process compared.

Verdict

  • United States is cheaper (₹67,806 vs ₹1.2 lakh government fee)
  • United States: Green card, USD 715 I-140 petition, USD 2,805; 15 business days (45 for some EB-1C and NIW)
  • 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 States vs Japan: permanent residence side by side

United StatesJapan
Permanent residence routeGreen cardPermanent residence
Government fee₹67,806₹1.2 lakh
Route page fee (official)USD 715 I-140 petition¥200,000 permission fee (paid in Japan on approval)
Processing (route page)USD 2,805; 15 business days (45 for some EB-1C and NIW)Standard 4 months; 6 to 12 months in practice

Which is cheaper?

United States costs ₹67,806 government fee and Japan ₹1.2 lakh. United States is cheaper by ₹51,934 per applicant. Government fees are charged at the official rate; the partner's fee is quoted on the destination page.

Which is faster?

United States: USD 2,805; 15 business days (45 for some EB-1C and NIW). 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 States 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 States: Green card, filed with travel.state.gov. 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 States via the Green card (USD 715 I-140 petition), 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.

United States vs Japan: common questions

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