Indian Students' Guide to Dependent Visas: Latest Updates from the USA, Canada, UK & Australia - Part 1

Securing a dependent visa is a key concern for Indian students planning to study abroad, especially when considering bringing along their spouses or children. The rules for dependent visas vary across countries and can significantly impact your plans. Here’s an overview of the current regulations in the USA, Canada, UK, and Australia.

United States

Visa Type: F-2 Visa
Eligibility: Available for the spouse and unmarried children under 21 of F-1 visa holders.
Work Rights: F-2 dependents are not allowed to work in the U.S.
Study Rights: F-2 spouses cannot study full-time but may engage in part-time study. Children may attend school at the K-12 level.
Application Process: Dependents must apply for the F-2 visa using the I-20 form issued by the student’s institution. An interview at the U.S. consulate is mandatory. Typically, dependents apply after the primary student has begun their studies in the U.S.


Canada

Visa Type: Spousal Open Work Permit and Study Permit for Children
Eligibility: Only available for spouses of students enrolled in master’s programs or professional bachelor’s degrees. Students pursuing diploma or postgraduate certificate programs are generally not eligible to bring their dependents on an open work permit. International students can apply for Post Graduate work permit after completing their studies, they can invite their spouses on an open work permit and their children on study permit after they receive their post graduate work permit and start working full time in Canada.
Work Rights: Eligible spouses can apply for an open work permit, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada.
Study Rights: Dependent children can attend primary and secondary school without a study permit.
Application Process: Applications can be submitted online or through a visa application center. Generally, students and their dependents do not travel to Canada together initially.


United Kingdom

Visa Type: Tier 4 Dependent Visa
Eligibility: Dependents of students enrolled in postgraduate research courses are eligible. For other courses, dependents may still apply for a visa but without work rights.
Work Rights: Spouses of research students can work (except in certain restricted professions). Dependents of students in other courses do not have work rights.
Study Rights: Dependents can study without restrictions.
Application Process: The application is completed online, with biometrics collected during the process. Dependents can apply alongside the student or separately.


Australia

Visa Type: Subclass 500 (Student Visa) - Dependent
Eligibility: Spouses of students must have at least a bachelor’s qualification. The relationship typically needs to be at least one year old at the time of the application.
Work Rights: Spouses can work unlimited hours if the student is enrolled in a Master’s or higher program; otherwise, work is limited to 40 hours per fortnight.
Study Rights: Spouses may study for up to three months. Dependent children can attend school.
Application Process: Dependents can be included in the student’s visa application or added later. It is common for students and their dependents to travel together, although some may opt to travel separately.


These are the current rules for student dependent visas in these major study destinations. For precise details and updates, it is advisable to check the respective immigration websites.

Part 2 will cover New Zealand, Germany, France, and other European countries.