student visa with family uk

Applying for a student visa with your family can be a stressful process, especially when you don’t understand the rules and regulations that apply to students and their families. Here is some advice on how to apply for a student visa with your family in the UK.

If you are transferring your visa to the UK as part of a family, you may be eligible for a student visa. As mentioned above, dependent children can enter the UK with their parents for the duration of their study. This can be a great opportunity for students who live with and support parents or grandparents. However, fees, requirements and application processes vary from country to country. It’s important to check what you can do in your specific situation.

Finding a student visa to explore the world is an exciting experience. However, it can be difficult to choose an option that will meet all your needs and wants. We’ve put together a list of different student visas for students studying with their families in mind.

If you are a student and want to bring your family with you to the UK, you will need to apply for a student visa. You will need to prove that you can support your family financially and that they will not be dependent on welfare payments.

The UK Home Office requires that all applications for a student visa include proof of financial support for anyone who is coming with you. This includes:

• Evidence of employment

• An offer of employment in the UK

• Proof of savings or an investment fund

• A letter from your college confirming that they have accepted you as a student

The student visa is a visa for a foreign citizen who has been accepted to study at an educational institution in the United Kingdom (UK). The UK Student Visa is used by students who have been accepted to study at a university, college or other educational establishment in the UK. They must be enrolled on a course that leads to a qualification that is at least at NQF level 7 (the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree).

The UK Student Visa is issued with an initial validity period of up to 5 years and can be extended for up to 3 years after completion of your studies. If you intend to stay longer than 3 years, you will need to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after completing your studies.

Bringing your family to live

Dependents and subsequent entrants

The Department of Home Affairs allows most students to bring their immediate family members to Australia. Immediate family members are called dependents, and may include your spouse (or de facto partner) and children under the age of 18.

Remember to declare all members of your family unit on your initial student visa application.

If your dependents will be moving to Australia at the same time as you

You can include them in your own student visa (subclass 500) application.

If your dependents were listed on your original student visa application, but will join you after you’ve commenced your studies, or if someone becomes your dependent after your visa has been granted (eg becomes your spouse)

They can join you as subsequent entrants. They will need to apply for a student visa (subclass 500) (Subsequent Entrant).

To apply for this visa, you must:

• Obtain a Nomination of Dependent letter from the University to confirm that you’re still studying
• Collect the other documents required
• Lodge the new visa online (via ImmiAccount).

Obtain a Nomination of Dependent letter 

Australia Awards scholars who wish to have their dependents join them after arrival do not need to obtain a Nomination of Dependent letter but will need to arrange for a No Objection Letter to support this application instead. For more information, see Australia Awards family and travel.

If someone becomes your dependent after your visa has been granted (e.g. becomes your spouse)

You can refer to the Department of Home Affairs for up to date information about bringing a family member to Australia.

If you give birth while in Australia

You should notify the Department of Home Affairs of your newborn child. By law, they will receive the same visa as you, but only if you have taken steps to inform the Department of Home Affairs.

Guardians

If you are under 18 years of age and require a family member to stay with you in Australia, they will need to apply for a Student Guardian visa (subclass 590). For more information, see Bringing a partner or family (Department of Home Affairs).

International Students studying full time at VIU may be able to bring their spouses and children to Canada. A Spouse may be eligible for an open work permit and children under the age of majority (19 years old in BC) may attend pre-school, elementary or high school without paying international fees. Spouses of international students enrolled full time at VIU may apply for an open work permit, however, issuance of the permit is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer. There is no guarantee that an applicant will be granted permission to come to or to work in Canada. If the spouse of a student is granted an open work permit, they can work for any Employer anywhere in Canada. Also, an open work permit may restrict the holder from work in certain occupations where public health protection is essential. Such jobs (e.g. daycare, schools, elder care, and food sector) may require that the applicant go through a medical examination with an IRCC appointed Panel Physician.

Children of international students

Children under the age of 19 are considered to be minors in British Columbia. A minor children of the student who is already in Canada and “accompanying a parent who is permitted to study or work”, may study in Canada without a study permit at the pre-school, primary and secondary levels”.

If an international student is intending to bring his/her school age child(ren) to study at a Canadian school he/she must to apply for a study permit for his/her child(ren) before entering Canada. “Minor children who are accompanying a family member who has applied and been approved for a work or study permit before entering Canada do not need to provide a letter of acceptance from an educational institution” Refer to the IRCC web-site for more details.

If a student is already in Canada with his/her minor children (dependents) who are on visitor record or visa (stamp in their passport), the children does not require a study permit for the pre-school, primary or secondary level.

IMPORTANT: If the parent loses status (no longer a full time student) their children and spouse automatically lose their status. Children of international students at VIU who are attending college or university (19 or older) must have a Study Permit and pay international tuition fees.

As long as one parent holds valid status in Canada e.g. study/work permit, permanent resident or Canadian citizen, their children are permitted to study at the pre-school, primary or secondary school levels without paying international fees.

Application process for relatives to join international students in Canada

There are two options for submitting an application to invite immediate family (immediate, meaning spouse and children of principal applicant).

First option, the student accepted by VIU submits the application for his accompanying immediate family from outside Canada at the same time as their study permit application.

Second option, VIU student applies for a Study Permit and provides full information about his/her immediate family who plan to join him/her at a later date.

Documents required for family member to apply for visa or spousal open work permit are as follows:

• Student provides proof of enrollment letter from VIU, it can be obtained via email from study@viu.ca (if you are undergraduate student), masters@via.ca (if graduate student) or inquire in Building 255 front desk.
• A letter of invitation to the relative. More details about the letter of invitation are available online at IRCC website
• Copy of valid Study Permit
• Proof of a relationship to the international student such as a marriage certificate, statutory declaration of common-law union or a birth certificate (for their child(ren)) as appropriate.

In both cases the relative must be able to demonstrate sufficient available funds to support their living in Canada. The procedure of application for Temporary Resident Visa (Visa) and study permit application is slightly different for visa required countries. Students from visa exempt countries also need Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). It is important in either case to have a Visitor Record or Study permit for the children if they plan to attend school in Canada.

Extending Immigration documents for immediate family

To extend your spouse and/or children’s status documents such as visas, visitor records or open spousal work permits, apply at least 2-3 months before these documents expire. Visitor visas could appear as a stamp in your child’s or spouse’s passport with or without a date (without a date by default is considered a six-month visa) for those who are coming from visa exempt countries. In addition, visitors must apply for an eTA before traveling to Canada. For their children student should ask for a visitor record at Port of Entry (airport, land, marine) to confirm that they have been granted entry for longer than six months.

The Principal Applicant (student) from visa required countries will have a sticker in their passport provided by the Canadian Visa Office abroad and a letter of approval for their Study Permit. A Study Permit will be issued at the port of entry (airport, land, marine) and if their family is with them, they will be issued a Visitor Record. Please note, the duration of your family’s stay will be determined by an Immigration Officer.

Work Permit for Spouses

Your spouse is eligible to work while you are studying full time. Before beginning any type of work, he/she must apply for a spousal work permit in Canada. Only after approval, your spouse can apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Your spouse’s work permit duration will be the same as your valid study permit. For more information, please visit IRCC web-site. 

Documents required:

• Letter of enrollment: please request letter via email study@viu.ca (undergraduate) masters@viu.ca (graduate) 
• Student’s valid Study Permit
• Spouse’s passport
• Marriage License or Certificate

Conclusion

If you are planning your holiday to Spain, and you would like to bring your family along, we know what is needed for you to get the Spanish Tourist Visa . So, if you want to travel from UK to Spain with your family, it is important that you follow the process correctly.