The dream of studying abroad is made that much better when you can share it with your family. We know that for many international students, the ability to have partners and children come with them as they attend university is very important. Equally, we know that the rules around these dependants can cause uncertainty. If you are looking for some clarity on the matter, we can help. Read on for our explanation of whether you can bring your family on a student visa around the world.
UK
Recent changes have had an impact on which international students can bring their family to the UK with them. From January 2024, only the following have the right to do so:
- PhD students
- Master's by research students
- Recipients of a national government scholarship or sponsorship on a course of six months or longer
There are also rules on which family members count as a dependant. Only the following are eligible to come with you:
- Your spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner of at least two years
- Your children under 18
Together, you must be able to show that you will have a certain amount of money available for each accompanying family member. This is:
- GBP 845 per month (for up to nine months) if you study in London
- GBP 680 per month (for up to nine months) if you study outside London
Additionally, there will be other charges. A visa fee of GBP 490 will apply for each dependant, as well as the immigration health surcharge (IHS). This allows you to access healthcare in the UK, and will cost GBP 776 per family member.
While in the country, dependants over the age of 16 are able to work in almost any job, part-time or full-time. In addition, they are eligible to study at university themselves. However, this should be done with caution, as dependant visa holders cannot easily switch to a student visa, if their status ever changes.
You can apply to bring dependants with you when you make your own student visa application, or when that is approved. Applications can be made up to six months before your course is due to begin.
Want to know more about this process? Read our guide to applying for a UK student visa.
UK universities with high acceptance rates
Australia
Anyone with a student visa can apply to bring family with them to Australia. The following family members are eligible:
- Your spouse or de facto partner
- Your children under 18
- Your partner's children under 18
If you are under 18, you can also come with a family member over the age of 21. For this to happen, they must apply for a Student Guardian visa.
Minimum funding requirements must also be met. When you apply, you must be able to show that you have the following amounts of money for each accompanying family member:
- AUD 10,394 for your partner
- AUD 4,449 for each child
In addition, you must pay school fees for any children you bring. These vary across the country, but the government requires you to have AUD 13,502 to go towards them. If your partner also wishes to enter education, they can only do so for a maximum of three months.
There is also a charge for adding dependants to your student visa application. This is:
- AUD 1,190 for dependents over 18
- AUD 390 for dependents under 18
The cost of applying for a Student Guardian visa is AUD 1,600.
Dependants are allowed to work in Australia, under the same time restrictions as students. In most cases, this is 48 hours in every two weeks. However, if you are a PhD or master's by research student, working hours are unlimited.
You can apply to bring family during the student visa process, or at a later date. This means that they can join you before or after you begin studying.
For more information, take a look at how to apply for a student visa in Australia.
Australian universities with high acceptance rates
Canada
As a study permit holder in Canada, you are eligible to bring the following family members:
- Your spouse or co-habiting partner
- Your unmarried children under 22
- Your children over 22 who are dependent on you due to a health condition
There are funding requirements for each dependant family member who joins you. These take the form of an increase to the funding requirement placed on individual students, growing with each additional dependant. The following table shows this.
Number of dependants | Funds required per year (CAD) |
No dependants | 20,635 |
1 | 25,690 |
2 | 31,583 |
3 | 38,346 |
4 | 43,492 |
5 | 49,051 |
6 | 54,611 |
Every additional dependant thereon | 5,559 |
If you plan to study in Quebec, there are different funding requirements. The total needed varies according to the number and ages of your dependants. The next table sets this out.
Dependants | Funds required per year (CAD) |
No dependants (students under 18) | 7,541 |
No dependants (students over 18) | 15,078 |
One dependant over 18 | 22,115 |
One dependant over 18 and one under 18 | 24,773 |
One dependant over 18 and two under 18 | 26,737 |
You will have to pay an additional fee for each dependant included in your study permit application. This is CAD 150.
Partners of some students are eligible for an open work permit, allowing them to be employed full-time while in Canada. This is restricted to PhD and master's students, and those on a select number of other courses. You can see these via the Canadian government.
For school-aged children, it is advisable to obtain a separate study permit. Although this is not compulsory, it will make it more easy for them to move onto another visa in future, if desired.
If possible, you should include your dependants in your study permit application at the time it is made. Anyone who is not must make a separate application to enter Canada.
Learn how to apply for a study permit in Canada.
USA
With a student visa in the USA, you can be joined by these family members:
- Your spouse
- Your unmarried children under 21
The level of funding required for each dependant is set by your university. While this can vary on account of many factors, you can expect to need at least USD 6,000 for your partner, and USD 4,000 for each child. However, the specific numbers in your case may be considerably more.
Dependant family members of students are not permitted to work while they are in the USA, but they may enter study. School-aged children must attend school, while adults can enrol at institutions that are part of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This is providing that they only study part-time.
Although it is advisable to include your dependants when you apply for a student visa, you can still seek permission for them to join you at a later date. In each case, this will involve getting them an F-2 or M-2 visa, to complement your F-1 or M-1 visa. Both have a fee of USD 185.
Discover how you can get a USA student visa.
New Zealand
All student visa holders in New Zealand can apply to bring family members with them. These can be:
- Your spouse, civil partner or de facto partner (must be co-habiting)
- Your unmarried children under 19
The basic funding requirement for dependants of students in New Zealand is NZD 1,000 per month, or NZD 400 a month if their accommodation has been paid for separately. However, the situation differs in two cases.
Certain students, including those completing PhDs, are able to support their school-aged children's applications for a Dependent Child Student Visa. This enables them to study in New Zealand without being charged school fees. The required funding is NZD 17,000 per year, or NZD 1,417 per month.
A larger group of students can support their partner's application for a Partner of a Student Work Visa. If you are a PhD or master's student, or studying a bachelor's course that leads to a role featured on New Zealand's Green List of in-demand jobs, this is an option.
Your partner will be free to work in the country full-time, and study for up to three months. Moreover, your school-aged children will be regarded as domestic students, and not charged school fees. The funding requirement is NZD 4,200 for the duration of your partner's time in New Zealand.
Whichever option you take, you should apply for your required dependant visas online in advance of your travel to New Zealand. However, the fees involved will vary. For standard dependent visas, they start at NZD 211. For Dependent Child Student Visas they begin at NZD 375, while Partner of a Student Work Visas are from NZD 700.
Get to know all about student visas in New Zealand.
Ireland
Only PhD students and fully funded government scholarship recipients are entitled to bring family members to Ireland while they study, providing that they have sufficient funds. The exact amount required is not specified by the government. Dependants of other students must obtain a separate visa.
For more information on how things work in this country, read our guide to applying for a student visa in Ireland.
Rules for student visa dependants compared
We know that the information in this article can be a lot to digest. To help, the following table summarises the rules around bringing family members as you study abroad in each country we have explored.
Country | Who can bring dependants? | Funding requirements | Application fee | Can dependants work? |
UK | PhD and master's by research students; government scholarship holders |
GBP 845 per month (in London) GBP 680 per month (outside London) |
GBP 490 | Yes |
Australia | All students |
AUD 10,394 (partners) AUD 4,449 (children) |
AUD 1,190 (over 18) AUD 390 (under 18) |
Yes |
Canada | All students | Varies (minimum CAD 5,055 for one person) | CAD 150 | Sometimes |
USA | All students |
Varies, but expect at least: USD 6,000 (partners) USD 4,000 (children) |
USD 185 | No |
New Zealand | All students |
Varies, but the baseline requirements are: NZD 1,000 per month NZD 400 per month if accommodation has been paid for separately |
From NZD 211 to NZD 700 | Sometimes |
Ireland | PhD students and government scholarship holders | Sufficient funding (amount not specified) | N/A | Yes |
Now that you have more information about bringing family while you study abroad, why not consider some other important aspects of your journey? Our guide to student health insurance covers more vital ground, while our student cost of living comparison can show you where in the world is best for your budget.