Applying to study visas with dependents, the level of study, program duration, field of study dictate whether or not your family can accompany you and whether your spouse is permitted to work. Below is a list of countries that permit study-visa dependents which also includes a detailed criteria needed.

1.    United Kingdom

The UK dependent sponsorship is mostly for the high-level research candidates and government scholars.

Eligible Courses:

• Postgraduate Research Programs: Master by Research (MRes, MPhil) or Doctoral degrees (PhD, DBA, EngD) which last 9 months or longer at the higher education institutions.
• Government Sponsored: Any course which lasts 6+ months and is fully funded by the government scholarship (e.g., Chevening, Commonwealth).

Ineligible Courses: Master’s degrees (MA, MSc, MBA, LLM), Bachelor’s degrees, diplomas and pre-sessional English courses.

Included Dependents: Legal spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner (must prove 2+ years of staying together) and children under the age of 18.

Work and Study Rights:

• Spouse: Full-time working rights (can be employed, self-employed or can work remotely).
• Children: Free access to the UK public schooling (ages 5-16).

Requirements:

• Financial Maintenance Proof: £845 per month per dependent (outside London) on £1,305 per month per month per dependent (inside London) for up to 9 months.
• Payment of the UK Immigration Health Surcharge per dependent.

2.    Canada

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regulate that the Spousal Open Work Permits are based on specific degree profiles.

Eligible Courses:

• Master’s Degrees: Programs with the duration of 16 months or longer at the Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
• Doctoral (PhD) Programs.
• Select Professional Undergraduate Degrees: The Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Dental Surgery, Juris Doctor/ Bachelor of Laws, Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Optometry and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Ineligible Courses: College Diplomas, Post-Graduate Certificates, standard bachelor’s degrees and master’s programs which are under 16 months.

Included Dependents: Legal Spouse (12 months living together) and dependent children under the age of 22 years of age.

Work and Study Rights:

• Spouse:They are eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit which allows them to work full-time for any employer in Canada.
• Children: They are eligible for the study permit or visitor record; giving them access to free public primary and secondary education.

Requirements:

• FinancialProof:The base living costs and additional CAD $5,000-$7,000 for the first dependent and CAD $3,000-$4,000 per child.
• Medical examinations and biometrics for all the dependents.

3.     Australia

In Australia it paves open the pathway criteria for dependents with work privileges that are tied directly towards the main applicant’s degree level.

Eligible Courses:

• Higher Education Programs: Bachelor’s degrees (AQF Level 7), Master’s degrees (AQF Level 8/9) and Doctoral degrees (AQF Level 10).

Ineligible Courses: Short term English language courses or any vocational certificates that are under 3 months are considered ineligible unless it is packaged into a higher degree pathway.

Included Dependents: Legal spouse (12 months of cohabitation is required) and unmarried children under the age of 18.

Work and Study Rights:

• Spouse(Bachelor’sLevel):Is allowed to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session.
• Spouse (Master’s/ PhD Level): Unrestricted full-time work rights once the applicant commences their degree.
• Children: They get access to Australian schooling (the tuition fees apply depending on the state/territory).

Requirements:

• Proofoffundsneed to be shown covering 12 months of living costs for dependents AUD $10,000+ for a partner and AUD $4,000+ per child).
• Mandatory Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) under the Family/Couple policy.

4.    New Zealand

The New Zealand grants the partner work visas based on the qualification levels and national skill alignment.

Eligible Course:

• Master’sorDoctoralDegrees(LevelGor10)in any of the disciplines.
• Level 7 or 8 Qualifications (Bachelor’s with Honors or Postgraduate Diplomas) only if the field of study is listed on the official New Zealand Green List (e.g., Engineering, IT, Healthcare, Teaching).

Ineligible Courses: Standard level 7 bachelor’s degrees or level 5/6 diplomas not listed on the green list.

Included Dependents: Legal Spouse and children up to 19 years old.

Work and Study Rights

• Spouse: Grants a partner of the student work visa with full-time work rights.
• Children: grants the dependent child student visa, which allows them to attend public schools as domestic students (tuition free).

Requirements:

• Proof of genuine and stable relationship.
• Proof of living funds (NZD $15,000-$20,000 per year per adult dependent.