In 2026, some areas made it harder to bring family (dependents) with you while you study, while others kept the rules the same. Several top destinations have changed their focus to Postgraduate Research and High-Demand Skills for families to be eligible.
The following guide lists the countries where you can bring your spouse and kids for the 2026–2027 school year.
1. Australia: The best place for families to live.
Australia is still a top choice in 2026 because students at almost any level (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD) can bring their families.
- Eligibility: You can include your partner and dependent children in your first Subclass 500 Student Visa application or have them join you later.
- Work Rights: * Spouses of students pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s by Coursework may work up to 48 hours every two weeks.
- The spouses of Master’s by Research and PhD students can work as much as they want.
- Financial Requirement (2026): You need to show that you have at least AUD 10,394 a year for your partner and AUD 4,449 a year for each child, in addition to the primary student’s money (AUD 29,710).
2. Canada: The High-Skill and PGWP Pathway
In 2026, Canada changed its rules to put students’ families in professional and research-based programmes first.
- If the student is in a master’s or doctoral (PhD) program or a professional degree (like medicine or law), their spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit.
- Work Rights: Spouses get an Open Work Permit, which lets them work for any company in Canada.
- The 2027 Transition: Canada is still the best place to keep your family together while you move from studying to working if you are on the path to Permanent Residency (PR).
3. The United Kingdom: The Shift to Research Only
As of 2026, the UK has limited dependent visas to students in certain high-level academic fields.
- You can only bring dependents if you meet the following requirements:
- You are a student in a postgraduate research programme, like a PhD, MPhil, or MRes.
- You are a student on a government-sponsored course that lasts more than six months.
- Restriction: Students in a “Taught Master’s” (MSc/MA) or bachelor’s program can no longer bring dependents unless the government pays for them.
- Dependents of eligible research students have the right to live and work in the UK.
4. New Zealand: The “Green List” Benefit
New Zealand has a special way for families to get to the “Green List” of jobs that are in high demand.
- You can sponsor a Partner for a Student Work Visa if:
- You are working on a Master’s degree (Level 9) or a PhD (Level 10).
- Alternatively, you may be pursuing a Bachelor’s (Level 7) or Honours (Level 8) degree that qualifies you for a job on the Green List, such as nursing, engineering, or ICT.
- Work Rights: Eligible Partners get Open Work Rights, which means they can work for almost any employer in any field.
- You need to show that you have at least NZD 5,000 a year to support your partner’s stay.
5. The Family Reunion Pathway in Germany
Germany lets students bring family members with them on a Family Reunion Visa, but it has stricter rules about housing and language.
- Requirements: The main student must have a valid residence permit and show that they have “Adequate Living Space” (for example, a 16 sq. m. room is not enough for a couple).
- Financial Stability: You have to show that you can support your family without using government money. For 2026, the amount in the blocked account needs to go up so that it covers all of the family members.
- Language Requirement: Spouses may need to know some German (A1 level), unless the student has an EU Blue Card or is in a high-skilled research job.
6. Important Family Compliance Checklist for 2026 and 2027
- Proof of Relationship: Marriage licences must be valid in the eyes of the law. Australia and New Zealand, for example, require proof that de facto (unmarried) partners have lived together for at least 12 months.
- Health Insurance: You need to buy family health insurance (like OSHC Family Cover in Australia) before you can get the visas.
- Schooling for Kids: If your kids are school-age (usually 5 to 18), you have to show that they are enrolled in a local school. In some Australian states or Canadian provinces, you may also have to pay international tuition fees for them.
