How to Bring Your Family While Studying Abroad. Studying abroad is often a life-changing experience, but for many students, it is not a journey they want to take alone. Some students are in secondary school and feel more comfortable studying overseas with their parents close by, while others are mature students who hope to relocate with a spouse, partner, or children. Fortunately, bringing your family along while studying abroad is often possible, provided you understand each country’s immigration rules and meet the necessary requirements.
This guide explores how international students can study abroad with their families in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, highlighting who qualifies as a dependent, which students are eligible to bring family members, and what financial and application requirements apply in each destination.
How to Bring Your Family While Studying Abroad
Studying Abroad with Your Family in Australia
Australia is widely regarded as a welcoming destination for international students, offering a high standard of living, a strong education system, and a culturally diverse environment. Its student visa framework allows eligible students to bring family members, provided the correct procedures are followed.
When applying for an Australian Student visa (Subclass 500), you must declare all family members, even if they do not intend to travel with you immediately. Failure to do so may prevent them from joining you later. If your dependents do not travel with you initially, they may apply afterward through ImmiAccount as subsequent entrants.
Eligible dependents include your spouse or de facto partner, your dependent children under the age of 18, and your partner’s dependent children under 18. Other family members, such as parents or siblings, are not considered dependents under the student visa framework and must apply separately for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) if they wish to visit you for a short period.
All Subclass 500 student visa holders are permitted to include eligible dependents, regardless of their course level. However, applicants must meet Australia’s financial capacity requirements. As of 2025, the primary student must demonstrate access to at least A$29,710 for personal living expenses, in addition to travel costs. Extra funds must also be shown for each dependent, including A$10,394 for a spouse or partner, A$4,449 per dependent child, and A$13,502 per year for school-aged children between five and seventeen years old.
Studying Abroad with Your Family in Canada
Canada remains one of the most popular study destinations due to its safe cities, multicultural society, and strong education system. The country allows international students to bring eligible family members, making it an attractive option for students with dependents.
In Canada, eligible dependents include your legally married spouse or common-law partner (defined as someone who has lived with you in a conjugal relationship for at least one year), as well as your dependent children. Children must be under 22 years old and unmarried, or over 22 but financially dependent due to a mental or physical condition that began before the age of 22. Family members who do not qualify as dependents, such as parents or siblings, may still apply separately for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
All study permit applicants—whether undergraduate, college, or graduate students—may apply to bring their dependents. However, eligibility for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) is limited. Only spouses or partners of students enrolled in master’s, doctoral, or select professional programs such as medicine, law, or pharmacy are eligible. Partners of undergraduate or college students are generally not eligible for a work permit and must apply as visitors.
Dependents’ applications must be submitted online at the same time as the student’s study permit application. Depending on eligibility, dependents may receive a work permit, visitor visa, or study permit. If applications are not submitted together, dependents may not be allowed to enter Canada alongside the student.
Financial requirements are based on Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) rates and vary depending on family size and location of study. For programs outside Quebec, students applying on or after September 1, 2025, must show at least C$22,895 for themselves, C$28,502 for a student with one dependent, and C$35,040 for a student with two dependents. These amounts are reviewed annually.
Studying Abroad with Your Family in Ireland
Ireland is a major global education hub, particularly known for its strong technology sector and high international graduate employability. However, its immigration policies for international students’ family members are more restrictive compared to other destinations.
Most non-EEA students studying on a Stamp 2 permission, which covers bachelor’s, master’s, and other full-time courses, are not allowed to bring dependents. Immediate family members generally include a spouse or civil partner, a de facto partner (with proof of at least two years of cohabitation), and unmarried children under 18. Children aged 18 to 23 may only qualify if they are in full-time education and financially dependent on the student.
Family members who do not qualify for reunification may still visit Ireland for up to 90 days. Visa-required nationals must apply for a Short-Stay ‘C’ Tourist visa, while non-visa-required nationals can enter with a valid passport. These visitors cannot extend their stay or switch to long-term residence.
Only specific student categories are eligible for family reunification in Ireland. These include PhD students, students enrolled in accredited doctoral programs, and government-sponsored students whose funding arrangements cover both the student and dependents. Most bachelor’s and master’s students are not eligible to sponsor family members.
Eligible students must demonstrate strong financial stability, including immediate access to at least €10,000 for the first year’s living expenses, in addition to full tuition fees. Proof of accommodation and comprehensive private health insurance for all dependents is also mandatory.
Studying Abroad with Your Family in the United Kingdom
The UK offers world-class education, flexible academic pathways, and attractive post-study work opportunities. However, recent immigration reforms have significantly changed dependent visa eligibility.
Eligible dependents include a legally married spouse or civil partner, an unmarried partner, and children under 18. Students under 18 on a Child Student visa cannot bring dependents; their parents must instead apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa. Other family members may apply for a Standard Visitor visa, allowing stays of up to 90 days.
As of January 2024, only postgraduate research students enrolled in courses lasting at least nine months—such as PhDs or research-based master’s programs—and government-sponsored students on courses longer than six months are allowed to bring dependents. Students pursuing undergraduate degrees or taught master’s programs are no longer eligible unless they are government-sponsored.
Financial requirements depend on the location of study. Students must show living expenses of £1,529 per month if studying in London or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to nine months. Additional funds are required for dependents: £845 per month per person in London or £680 per month per person outside London.
Studying Abroad with Your Family in the United States
The United States hosts the largest international student population globally and offers access to leading universities, advanced research facilities, and innovative academic programs.
International students on an F-1 visa may bring eligible dependents by applying for F-2 visas for each family member. Eligible dependents include a legally married spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21. Other relatives may apply for a B-2 Visitor visa, which allows stays of up to six months.
All F-1 students, regardless of program level, may apply for dependent visas. Each F-2 dependent must receive a separate Form I-20, issued by the institution’s Designated School Official (DSO). Dependents must then apply for their visas at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, although Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa stamp requirement.
Students must provide proof of sufficient financial support, with typical annual amounts ranging from US$5,000 to US$11,000 for a spouse and US$2,500 to US$7,750 per child. Relationship documents such as marriage or birth certificates are also required.
Final Thoughts
Bringing your family with you while studying abroad can make the experience more fulfilling and emotionally supportive. While the process varies significantly by country, careful planning and a clear understanding of visa rules can make it entirely achievable. Whether you choose Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UK, or the US, being informed is the key to a smooth and successful study abroad journey.
We hope this guide has clarified your options and requirements, and we wish you every success as you plan your studies overseas with your family.
