There are many reasons to bring your family with you while studying abroad. Maybe you’ve just finished secondary school, and want to bring your parents or sibling along. Or, perhaps you’re a mature student who wants to bring your partner or children. The good news is that it is possible to do so! We’ll explore how to study abroad while bringing your family in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, or the United States.
Check out what the student visa application process looks like in five different countries on our blog.
Australia
Want to bring your family along while you study in sunny Australia? The Land Down Under is a friendly, laid-back destination, with an excellent standard of living and education system. It offers international students quality academic institutions, cultural diversity, and a streamlined process for student visas.
According to the Government of Australia, you can include your dependents (which includes your partner and/or children) in your visa application.
You must declare your family members in your student visa application. Otherwise, they will not be eligible for a student visa to join you in Australia. If this happens, your dependents have the option to apply individually in ImmiAccount.
Non-dependent family members (like your siblings or parents) can apply separately from your application by applying for a visitor visa (subclass 600).
For more information, visit the Government of Australia’s website.
Canada
Interested in studying in Canada? This country is well-renowned for its friendly people, security, multicultural cities, and high-quality education. In fact, Canada ranks in third place globally for the best quality of life. Canada welcomes international students and their dependents, making it a top choice for students wishing to study abroad.
If you’re an international student studying in Canada, you may bring your dependents with you. However, you must submit your dependents’ visa applications online at the same time as you apply for your study permit. Family members may also be eligible for a:
Note: If you don’t submit your family members’ applications at the same time that you apply, they may not be able to enter Canada with you.
However, non-dependent family members (like your siblings or parents) can apply separately from your application if they’re applying for a Temporary Resident visa (TRV).
For more information, visit the Government of Canada’s website.
What if your program isn’t what you expected? Read our blog to find out what steps you need to take to change your program while studying abroad in Canada.
Ireland
Ireland is a small but mighty island, offering some of the best educational institutions and quality of life, and continues to grow in popularity. They have high international graduate employment rates, as well as flexible working hours, as well as breathtaking landscapes. It’s no coincidence that Irish universities have the happiest students in all of Europe!
Wondering how to study abroad with your family in Ireland? Your family members can apply to enter and live in Ireland, but they’ll need to do so separately from your application. Here are their options:
Non-Visa Required Nationalities
If your family members are from countries that don’t need a visa to visit Ireland, they can stay in Ireland without applying for a visa for trips less than 90 days. To be eligible, they must present their passport and travel documents to officials at the border.
Visa-Required Nationalities
If your family members are from a visa-required country, they can stay in Ireland by applying for a Short-Stay ‘C’ Tourist visa. This allows them to join you for up to 90 days.
For more information, visit the Government of Ireland’s website.
Note: All family members or dependents must apply separately, and cannot stay longer than 90 days.
The UK
Have your sights set on the United Kingdom? The UK offers international students a world-class education, flexible study options and programmes, and plenty of post-graduate work opportunities. Students can expect to learn from high-quality academic institutions while enjoying a high quality of life.
As of January 2024, dependent visas are limited, and only available to students in postgraduate research programmes. You may be eligible to come to the UK if you’re enrolled in:
- a Ph.D. or other doctorate (RQF level 8)
- a research-based higher degree
Note: If you’re eligible to bring your dependents, they must apply online as your partner or child through the same application as you.
Want to bring other non-dependent family members with you? If so, they may apply for a Short-Term Visitor Visa.
For more information, visit the Government of the United Kingdom’s website.
The US
The United States has the largest international student population in the world for a reason! The US is home to some of the best university systems in the world, with cutting-edge research and technology. Obtaining a degree in the US puts you in a great position for post-graduation and work opportunities.
International students headed for the US can bring their dependents along with them by adding an F-2 visa application for each respective family member. This allows your family to stay in the US for the same period of time as you.
Want to bring other non-dependent family members with you? If so, they may apply for a B-2 Visitor visa, and stay in the US for up to six months.
For more information, visit the Government of the United States website.
Find out your options for working in the US during and after your studies on our blog.
Bringing your family along while studying abroad is important for many, and it can be very doable depending on where you plan to study! We hope this article has helped you explore your options ahead of time, and allowed you to learn how to study abroad with family and take all the necessary steps.
Whether you’re studying in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UK, or the US, we wish you the best of luck on your study abroad journey!
