Can I take my spouse or family on a study visa?

Quick answer. Some countries let students bring a spouse or children as dependants, but the rules have tightened sharply and now depend heavily on the course level. The UK, from January 2024, allows dependants only for students on postgraduate research or government-funded courses. Canada and Australia have also narrowed spouse open-work-permit and dependant eligibility. Always check the current dependant rule for your exact course and country before you plan — do not rely on older information.

How dependant rules differ

Dependant eligibility usually turns on the course level and length. Postgraduate and research students are more likely to be allowed dependants than undergraduate or short-course students. A dependant's right to work also varies — some get an open work permit, others none. Each country sets its own funds requirement for dependants on top of yours.

Recent changes to know

The UK restricted student dependants to postgraduate research and government-funded routes from January 2024. Canada has tightened spouse open-work-permit eligibility, and Australia has raised financial and genuine-student requirements. These are recent and still evolving, so a rule that applied a year ago may no longer hold.

Plan honestly

Show genuine funds for any dependant you include, and never misrepresent a relationship or use fake documents — it causes refusals and bans. If bringing family matters to you, choose a course and country whose current rules actually allow it, and confirm with the official immigration site.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my spouse on a UK student visa?

Since January 2024, only students on postgraduate research programmes or government-funded courses can bring dependants to the UK. Most taught undergraduate and taught postgraduate students can no longer bring a spouse or children — confirm your course type on gov.uk.

Can my spouse work if they come with me?

It depends on the country and your course — some dependants get an open work permit, others cannot work at all. Spouse-work eligibility has been narrowed recently in several countries, so verify the current rule for your specific visa before relying on it.

Sources

Browse agents: Jalandhar register · Mohali (SAS Nagar) register

Find licensed help: Immigration & visa consultants · Study-visa consultants · Cost estimator

Reviewed against official government sources; figures that change (fees, fund thresholds) are dated and linked — always verify at the source. — Recepta Editorial.

Search the register · All guides

Last updated: 2026-07-18