United States vs Japan: permanent residence
United States or Japan for a permanent residence? ₹67,653 vs ₹1.19 lakh government fee, usd 2,805 vs standard 4 months decision, funds and process compared.
Verdict
- United States is cheaper (₹67,653 vs ₹1.19 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 States | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence route | Green card | Permanent residence |
| Government fee | ₹67,653 | ₹1.19 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 ₹67,653 government fee and Japan ₹1.19 lakh. United States is cheaper by ₹51,833 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.
Questions, answered
Is United States or Japan 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 States and Japan 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 States or Japan?
United States is cheaper per applicant, but value depends on validity: United States is valid 10 years and Japan 90 days. 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 States and Japan sources cited on each destination page and on the verified route pages and re-checked when the authorities publish changes.