Studying abroad as an international student is exciting but it often comes with leaving your family behind. This has prevented many from putting their study abroad dreams into action. However, there are some countries offering dependent visa options for international students to bring their spouses and children with them.
Dependents can include a spouse, children or even parents. Having them with you while studying can provide financial & emotional support, enhance your resilience, and allow you to share the experiences and opportunities of studying abroad with your loved ones.
The information discusses countries offering dependents visa options for international students, highlighting the duration of permit and required documents, criteria for eligibility and visa fees.
Here are some Countries Offering Dependents Visa Options for International Students:
1. USA
The F-2 dependent visa option is a nonimmigrant visa that allows a spouse, children or parent of students holding an F-1 Visa to enter into the USA.
Dependents are spouses and/or unmarried minor children. Children over the age of 21 are not eligible to enter as the dependent of an international student.
To get this visa, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
Be a spouse or parent of an approved F-1 visa foreign national
Be an unmarried child under the age of 21 of an approved F-1 visa foreign national
have financial capacity to support their stay in the U.S.
The status of the F-2 visa depends on the duration and validity of the F-1 visa holder. A non-refundable fee of $185 is required for each international students F-1 and dependents F-2
2. Canada
The Government of Canada permits eligible international students with S-1 visa and above the age of 18 to sponsor dependents to live with them while studying. The family class sponsorship visa allows Spouse, Common-law, or Conjugal Partner, parents and children to join their loved ones in Canada.
If you are sponsoring your spouse with dependent children, or if you are sponsoring your adopted child, a $150 payment will be required for each child included in the application.
The following are the acceptable set of dependents for a Canadian Visa:
Spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner
Under 21 dependent children
Dependent parents or grandparents
An adopted child from outside Canada
siblings or other close relatives
Required Documents for Canada Dependent Visa
Passport and travel history
Background information
Marriage certificate (for spouse)
The sponsor must provide proof of funds.
Completed application and visa fee
3. Germany
The government of Germany has made available the visa for family reunification to serve the purpose of dependents staying with international students. You can only have close family members (or the so-called core family) come to live with you in Germany. These are: Wife or husband or a registered same-sex life partner. They must have been over 18 years of age at the time of marriage.
The family reunion visa is €75 per applicant and it should be made before submission of the visa application.
The requirements for applying to this type of visa are as follows:
Proof of relationship (marriage certificate)
German language certificate
Evidence of sufficient funds
Proof of adequate living space to accommodate dependents in Germany
4. Australia
The Australian Government has quite numerous visa types for individuals for International dependents which include the Family and Partners Visas for parents, spouses (both same gender or opposite), children under 18 years of age and above but financially depends on the student. The associated application fee of AUD 7,000 is required for a Partner visa.
The work right of the dependent (spouse) is subjected to the degree of study of the student. Duration of stay is also the same as that of the international students.
Documents to be submitted for application of the dependent visa are:
Valid passport
Completed visa application form
Proof of relationship
Evidence of financial capacity to support dependents (bank statements, scholarship details, etc.)
Health insurance for dependents
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) of the primary student
Proof of accommodation in Australia
5. Austria
This dependent visa option provides an opportunity to bound and unite family in Austria, be it parents, spouse or unmarried children below the age of 18. The visa fee for a long term stay more than 90 days is 150 Euro which is subject to change without prior notice, applicants should also confirm the exchange rate before making payments.
To obtain a dependent visa in Austria, get the documents ready:
Visa application form
International Passport
Proof of relationship (marriage certificate)
Certificate of criminal records
Health insurance
Financial documents
Proof of accommodation
Medical examination documents
Passport photograph
6. New Zealand
New Zealand offers a variety of visas enabling family members to stay with international students, provided that the students meet the eligibility requirements and support their family members during the application process. The online application fee for Partner of a student visa is NZD $700 and NZD $395 for a dependent child.
New Zealand’s Partner of a Student Work Visa allows partners to work full-time and children to study, provided the student is undertaking a qualification that grants a post-study work visa. These policies are designed to make the transition smoother for international students and their families, fostering a balanced life while abroad.
7. Japan
The Japan Spouse Visa is a long term visa for spouse or dependents of Japanese nationals or residents studying or working in Japan. The visa fees vary depending on the country and the dependent types.
The process and requirements of applying for a Family visa is to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for each dependent from the Immigration Services Agency with other supporting documents such as:
Passport copies of dependents
Proof of relationship
Proof of sufficient financial means (bank statements, scholarship details, etc.)
Residence card and passport copy of the primary student
Proof of enrollment of the primary student (Certificate of Enrollment)
Proof of accommodation in Japan
Recent photograph of each dependent
The health insurance and financial stability and availability of accommodation for the dependents must also be considered.
8. China
China offers the S1 and S2 visa options for dependents of international students. The S1 visa option is for a dependent who intends to stay in China for more than 180 days. This visa type is often called a long term visa, fees vary with nationality and its primary student must be a valid X1 visa holder.
The S2 visa option or short term visa is applicable to dependents staying for less than 180 days and international students must have both X1 and X2 student visa. Both S1 and S2 visa types requires the documents stated below during the application process:
Valid passport
Completed visa application form (Form V.2013)
Recent passport-size photo
Invitation letter from the international student
Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)
Copy of the international student’s residence permit and passport
Proof of accommodation in China
Additional document needed for the S1 visa option only is the health insurance covering the stay in China due to the long duration of stay.
9. Denmark
Any international student in Denmark who wishes to bring in dependents, be it spouse, children or parents must have a valid resident permit for study to apply for a Danish Family visa. The duration of stay for the dependents is two years, the dependent is allowed to run his/her business or work for as long as the residence permit is valid. The application process is online with a visa fee of €80.
The following documents are required:
Valid passport
Student’s residence permit details
Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)
Proof of accommodation in Denmark
Proof of financial means (e.g., bank statements, scholarship details, etc.)
10. Finland
Intending dependents of an international student can utilize the family ties to apply for a visa. The international students must have a valid residence permit for studies in Finland. There must be a sufficient amount of funds and health insurance covering the duration of the dependents stay. The cost of a Finland dependent visa varies based on the applicant’s age: €90 for adults and €45 for children.
The following required documents must be translated into Swedish or English before the application process:
Valid passport of the dependents
Passport photo
Completed residence permit application form
Proof of family relationship
Proof of financial means to support dependents
Health insurance for dependents
Copy of the international student’s residence permit and passport
Proof of accommodation in Finland