Choosing to study abroad often means leaving your family behind. For younger international students, this may come easy, especially if they’re single and have no one depending on them.
But for some others, they have to choose between going abroad to study, or leaving their partner, parents, and/or children behind. This has led to many of them putting their study abroad dreams on hold.
Thankfully, there is some good news for those struggling with this plight. You don’t face the same limitations in all countries, as some countries offer dependant visas that allow you to bring your spouse and family along.
With these dependant visas, you don’t have to bear the stress and emotional strain of leaving your loved ones behind. And as a bonus, they’ll be with you to share all the experiences and opportunities your study abroad journey may bring.
And who knows? Perhaps you may even choose to settle down there and start life anew.
Dependant visa in the UK: What you need to know
In May 2023, the British government announced that they’re banning international students from bringing their family members.
This announcement comes as part of a range of changes the government has made to reduce migration to the UK, while still remaining committed to its target to host 600,000 international students studying in the UK per year by 2030.
As such, since January 2024, only family members of international students who fulfil the following UK dependant visa requirements will be granted a dependant visa:
- Undertaking a PhD or other doctoral qualification, or a research-based higher degree (such as a master’s by research)
- Studying a programme of more than six months and you are in receipt of a full government scholarship (fees and living costs)
The UK government considers the following as your dependants:
- Spouse
- Civil partner
- Unmarried partner you’ve been living together with for a minimum of two consecutive years)
- Your children under 18 years old
The government tightened the ban in March 2024, further restricting overseas care workers from bringing dependant family members to the UK. This measure aimed to address what the Home Office has described as a “disproportionate” situation where 120,000 dependants accompanied 100,000 workers on the care visa route last year.
However, the UK contends that the changes are vital to prevent the exploitation of care workers, who have been offered visas under false pretences, often for nonexistent jobs or wages below the minimum required. The measures include raising the salary threshold for skilled workers and removing the 20 per cent “going-rate” discount for migrant workers in shortage occupations.
While this may sound grim for those intending to migrate to the UK, thankfully, there are still some countries that have much more lenient visa rules for you to bring your family along.
In our next article, we will explore countries offering dependent visas that allow you to bring your spouse and family.
[Study International]