Dependent and Spouse Visas for International Students: 2026 Country Rules
- Budget for these in your master plan using the study abroad budget guide, and check the long game with our post-study work visa comparison, since dependants usually carry into those permits.
- Every destination adds a per dependant financial requirement on top of your own proof of funds, and immigration officers check housing suitability in several countries.
- Run the honest math: partner’s lost Indian income, added rent for a family apartment instead of a shared room, childcare costs that can exceed 800 to 1,500 dollars equivalent monthly,.
Country by country in 2026
| Country | Who can bring dependants | Partner work rights |
|---|---|---|
| UK | PhD and research master’s students, funded government scholars | Yes, near full work rights for eligible dependants |
| Canada | Most streams; spousal open work permit mainly for master’s, PhD, professional degrees | SOWP where eligible, otherwise visitor status without work |
| Australia | All students can nominate family in the application | 48 hrs per fortnight; unlimited if the student is a master’s by research or PhD |
| USA (F-2) | Spouse and children of F-1 holders | No employment; part time study allowed |
| Germany | Spouse and minor children via family reunification | Work generally permitted once residence permit issued |
Money you must show
Every destination adds a per dependant financial requirement on top of your own proof of funds, and immigration officers check housing suitability in several countries. Underestimating this is the most common refusal trigger for family applications.
| Destination | Extra funds per dependant (approx.) |
|---|---|
| UK | 680 GBP per month up to 9 months, higher in London |
| Canada | Roughly 5,700 CAD for the first family member, scaling by family size |
| Australia | Around 10,400 AUD per year for a partner, plus child amounts |
| USA | Set by the I-20; often 7,000 to 10,000 USD per dependant per year |
| Germany | Evidence of income or blocked funds plus adequate housing |
Talk to a counsellor
Tell us the country and course you are aiming for and we will map out your eligibility, costs and timeline for the next intake.
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Should your family come now or later?
Run the honest math: partner’s lost Indian income, added rent for a family apartment instead of a shared room, childcare costs that can exceed 800 to 1,500 dollars equivalent monthly, and health insurance for each person. Many couples choose a staggered plan, with the student settling for one term before the family joins, which also produces the tenancy and enrollment documents the dependant application needs. If your partner can work, their income often flips the equation positive within months.
Application mechanics
Apply together or after you receive your visa; both routes work in most countries, but joint applications are decided on the same evidence, so one weak file affects everyone. Marriage certificates need apostille or attestation, children need birth certificates, and several countries require tuberculosis tests or medicals for dependants. Budget for these in your master plan using the study abroad budget guide, and check the long game with our post-study work visa comparison, since dependants usually carry into those permits.
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