Going abroad alone for pursuing further studies can be a little disappointing, as you would be alone in a foreign land on the journey. But moving abroad with your spouse would be a thrilling voyage, as it gives you psychological satisfaction and confidence that you are relocating with your loved ones to a foreign land, and you are not alone in this journey, but selecting the right study destination can be a tricky and cumbersome task. Many countries are pretty much lenient and promise to give you easy access, but when this theory meets reality, it strikes hard. But no worries; today we will learn about some of the best countries which are not only on paper but also in reality provide an easily spouse-friendly atmosphere, and from the first day of lodging your study visa, you can file your partner applications plus get a chance to fly together.
These top countries are not only spouse-friendly but also known for quality of life, green environments, robust economy, and availability of public services, so without further ado, let’s get into the action.
Study Abroad with Your Spouse: Top 5 Spouse-Friendly Countries
- 1) Canada
- 2) Finland
- 3) Sweden
- 4) Germany
- 5) USA
- Canada
Canada, the developed nation in the West known for its welcoming people, high standard of living, robust healthcare plus infrastructure, and huge oil reserves. Canada is pretty flexible when it comes to providing a spouse visa. Though recently it has changed some rules regarding the spouse and international students’ visa, yet it is one of the best countries to allow a spouse visa, along with international students. Here are some of the conditions to be eligible for an spouse open work permit in Canada:
- If you are studying in a master’s degree program of 16 months or longer.
- If you are studying a Bachelor’s degree in the following fields, such as
Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- If you are studying for a doctoral degree program
Benefits of selecting Canada for the spousal
- In Canada, the spouse of the student can work full-time while the student studies.
- Many of the provinces do offer free or subsidised healthcare not only to international students but their families as well, such as British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
- Canada is the hot destination to go with your partners so that extra points can be added while applying for immigration.
- Canada is known for its tremendous quality of life, welcoming locals, and nature
To understand more, please check the official website of the Canadian authority – https://shorturl.at/jU9d0
- Germany
Germany, which has gained a lot of applause in front of global forum students because of so many reasons, such as free education, a high standard of living, an engineering hub, a robust economy in Europe, a lucrative post-study work permit, and a flexible permanent residency process, etc. Fortunately, Germany also allows spouse-friendly regulations for international students. By 2023-2024, Germany’s total student population is 2.8 million, out of which around 470,000 are international students. Thanks to the family reunion visa, which allows spouses of international students to join during their studies. The student must prove that they have the resources to sustain themselves and their spouse independently of government assistance. Sometimes German authorities also need to make sure that your spouse has a basic understanding of German language skills at the A1 level.
Benefits of selecting Germany for the spousal
- The biggest advantage in Germany is that the spouse of an International student can work in Germany without any restrictions
- The spouse of an international student can study educational programs without applying for a student visa.
- It is a pathway to permanent residency, as eligibility criteria for permanent settlement are based on the amount of time spent in Germany under a family reunification visa.
Check official link – https://www.germany-visa.org/spouse-visa/
- USA
The USA, or the United States of America, also allows international students to take their spouses along with them. Since the USA is known for its top-notch universities and programs, a plethora of students are willing to go USA for studies and take their spouses along with them. As the student visa is considered an F-1 visa, the spousal visa is called an F-2 visa. The F-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa designated for dependents of an F-1 visa holder. It allows dependents to reside in the United States for the length of the F-1 student’s course of study. There is no study program restriction put in place by the US Department, which means any international student of any program (STEM or non-STEM) can take their spouse along with them after a while.
Benefits of selecting the USA for the spousal
- The biggest advantages of taking your spouse on a USA journey are that the spouse can be covered by health insurance policies offered by the institution, guaranteeing access to healthcare when necessary.
- Your spouse can accompany you into and out of the United States while you are studying if they have a dependant visa.
Check Official Page – https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
- Finland
Finland also belongs to one of the top spouse-friendly countries, and the dependant can also join. The dependents can apply for a residence permit along with the students from day one. The dependants are required to show one year of living expenses in the student account or their account. The student and the dependant can file the visa together and fly to Finland.
Benefits of selecting Finland for the spousal
- The biggest advantage of taking your spouse along with you in Finland is that your household income can be greatly supported by your spouse working full-time without any constraints on their work hours.
- As per the world happiness report, Finland has topped the chart as the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year, which makes it a perfect destination for you and your family.
- It may be simpler for you both to move to long-term residency in Finland if you choose to stay together while you study there.
Official Page – https://enterfinland.fi/eServices/info/foreignresidentspouse
- Australia
Australia also allows international students to bring their spouse and children along with them. The subclass 500, or student visa, says the following family members can be included: Same-sex partners are considered spouses or de facto partners or/and Children under the age of eighteen are considered dependent children. Even if they do not intend to go with you right away, it is important to list all family members on your initial subclass 500 student visa. You must prove that you have the financial means to sustain yourself and your dependant in order to bring your spouse to Australia. According to the most recent criteria, the expected yearly cost of living is:
- AUD 21,041 for the student
- Spouse/Partner: 7,362 AUD
As an alternative, you can provide evidence of a family’s yearly income of at least AUD 72,592.
Benefits of selecting Australia for the spousal
- If you are pursuing a bachelor’s degree, then your spouse can work up to 48 hours per fortnight, whereas for a master’s degree program, there is no limitation, which means the spouse can work full-time with any employer.
- Since Australia takes healthcare very seriously, you and your spouse can be covered under Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Your partner can handle personal obligations and everyday tasks, freeing you up to focus more on your education in Australia.
Click on the link for official information – https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-onshore
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