Whether you can bring your partner or children with you as a student has changed dramatically in the last two years. The UK and Canada have both tightened the rules sharply, while Australia still allows dependants if you can show the money. Here is where each country stands in 2026.
Australia — dependants still allowed, if you can fund them
Australia continues to allow Subclass 500 student visa holders to include family members (a spouse or de facto partner and dependent children). The catch is financial: you must show living-cost funds for each of them on top of your own.
For 2026, the living-cost figures are:
- Primary applicant: AUD $29,710 for 12 months
- Spouse or de facto partner: +AUD $10,394
- Each dependent child: +AUD $4,449
- School-age children: +AUD $13,502 per child per year towards school fees
You must show enough to cover 12 months of living costs for the whole family, your first-year tuition, and travel. Your partner may also have work rights depending on your course level — check the current conditions. See our showing funds for an Australian student visa guide.
United Kingdom — only research and government-sponsored students
The UK closed the dependant route for most students in January 2024, and that restriction remains in force in 2026. Only two groups can bring dependants:
- Students on a PhD, doctorate, or research-based postgraduate programme, and
- Government-sponsored students on a course longer than six months.
Students on taught master's degrees, MBAs, undergraduate courses, and law conversion courses cannot bring family members. If you qualify, dependants can include your husband, wife or civil partner, an unmarried partner you have lived with for at least two years, and children under 18. Read our UK student visa guide for the main route.
Canada — spouse work permits sharply narrowed
Canada still allows study-permit holders to bring family, but the valuable Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) — which let your partner work — was significantly narrowed, with the latest changes effective 21 January 2026. Your spouse now qualifies for a SOWP only if you are enrolled in:
- A master's programme of at least 16 months,
- A doctoral programme, or
- One of IRCC's listed professional degree programmes.
Spouses of students in college diplomas or general bachelor's degrees no longer qualify, and a spouse of a student in their final academic term will be refused, even on a renewal. Dependent children can still accompany you, but plan around the reduced work options. See our Canada study permit guide.
Which country is most family-friendly in 2026?
If bringing your family and having your partner work matters, the landscape has narrowed to specific study levels. Australia remains the most open for dependants at any course level (subject to funds); Canada favours master's/doctoral and listed professional students for spousal work; the UK is limited to research and government-sponsored students. Choose your course level with these rules in mind if family is part of your plan.
A note on honesty
Never let a consultancy encourage you to misrepresent your relationship, funds, or intentions to add a dependant — this is fraud and can lead to a visa ban. Choose an adviser you can trust; compare consultancies with verified reviews on ConsultancyCheck, and read how to choose an education consultancy.
Related guides
Compare destinations on our compare destinations tool, model family costs with the cost of studying abroad calculator, and check student work rights by country.
*Dependant rules and financial thresholds are set by each government and change frequently. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official Department of Home Affairs (Australia), GOV.UK, and IRCC (Canada) websites before applying.*
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my spouse on a UK student visa in 2026?
Only if you are on a PhD or research-based postgraduate programme, or are a government-sponsored student on a course longer than six months. Taught master's, MBA, and undergraduate students cannot bring dependants.
How much extra money do I need for dependants on an Australian student visa in 2026?
On top of the AUD $29,710 primary living-cost figure, you must show AUD $10,394 for a spouse or de facto partner and AUD $4,449 per dependent child, plus AUD $13,502 per school-age child per year for schooling.
Can my spouse work in Canada while I study in 2026?
Since 21 January 2026, a Spousal Open Work Permit is available only if you are in a master's of at least 16 months, a doctoral programme, or a listed professional degree. College diploma and general bachelor's students no longer qualify, and spouses of students in their final term are refused.
Which country is best for bringing family on a student visa?
Australia is currently the most open for dependants at any course level if you can show the funds. Canada favours master's/doctoral and listed professional students for spousal work, and the UK is limited to research and government-sponsored students.
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