Discover ten countries allowing foreign students to bring dependents while studying abroad. Explore visa options and eligibility criteria for spouses and children from Canada to the USA. Find out more about each country’s policies and how to apply for dependent visas to make informed decisions for your education journey.
To accommodate international students’ needs, several countries have introduced dependent visa programs, allowing students to bring their families while pursuing education abroad. While the United Kingdom recently restricted this option, other nations like the USA, Canada, Germany, Australia, and Austria maintain supportive policies. These countries offer various types of dependent visas, each with its own eligibility criteria and documentation requirements.
Canada: Canada maintains supportive policies for international students, offering a dependent visa program that enables spouses and children to work full-time under certain conditions. More information on Canada’s dependent visas can be found here.
Finland: Finland offers a D visa granting 100 days of residency before the actual resident permit kicks in, simplifying the process for students and their families. More information on studying in Finland can be found here.
Germany: Family reunion visas in Germany allow dependents to reside temporarily or permanently, with employment provisions. Details on Germany’s family reunion visas can be found here.
Malta: Malta offers family visas, including spouse, child, and dependent family visas. Eligibility criteria and application details for Maltese family visas can be found here.
Japan: Japan permits dependents like spouses and children for international students, provided they obtain the necessary dependent visa. More information on Japan’s dependent visa requirements can be found here.
Australia: Australia’s Department of Home Affairs allows students to bring immediate family members, offering them work rights and access to education. Details on applying for visas in Australia can be found here.
Austria: Austria requires proof of financial stability and age declaration for married couples applying for family reunion visas. Details on Austria’s family reunion visas can be found here.
China: China provides avenues for bringing in dependents, with options like the S1 and S2 visas available. Information on applying for visas in China can be found here.
Denmark: Denmark’s Student Dependent visa allows spouses and children under 18 to accompany students, with no English proficiency tests required. Details on applying for visas in Denmark can be found here.
USA: The United States permits international students to bring spouses and unmarried children under 21 through F-2 visas, with details available here.
Source: Leadership
