United Kingdom — Dependent of Skilled Worker / Student
Spouse, civil partner and children under 18 of a Skilled Worker visa holder are eligible to join. For Student route, dependents are now allowed only for postgraduate research courses (PhD/research masters of 9+ months) — that rule changed in January 2024.
Visa fee £490 per person plus Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year per person. Documents: marriage certificate (apostilled), birth certificates of children, main applicant's CoS or CAS, financial proof showing maintenance funds.
Maintenance: £285 for partner and £315 for first child plus £200 for each additional child, held in bank for 28 consecutive days before applying (unless main applicant has been in UK 12+ months).
Dependent on Skilled Worker has full work rights and can study. Decisions usually 3 weeks from biometrics if filed from India.
United States — H-4 Dependent and F-2
H-4 is for spouse and children under 21 of H-1B (and H-2A, H-2B, H-3) visa holders. Filed via DS-160, fee USD 205, biometrics and visa interview at Mumbai or Delhi consulate.
H-4 EAD (work authorisation) is available only if the principal H-1B holder is the beneficiary of an approved I-140 or has an approved AC21 extension beyond the 6-year limit. We file Form I-765 for EAD with USCIS.
F-2 is the dependent of an F-1 student. Spouse on F-2 cannot work and can only study part-time; children can attend school full-time. Document core: marriage certificate, F-1 holder's I-20 with dependent endorsement, financial proof for cost of attendance plus dependents.
L-2 (dependent of L-1 intra-company transferee) does have automatic work authorisation since November 2021 — different from H-4. Fee USD 205, same DS-160 process.
Canada Open Work Permit and Australia subclass 500 dependent
Canada Open Work Permit for spouse of a Study Permit holder enrolled in a Master's, Doctoral or select professional programme — a March 2024 IRCC policy change narrowed earlier eligibility, so check fit at consultation. Fee CAD 255 (work permit CAD 155 + open permit holder fee CAD 100). Allows full-time work for any employer.
Open Work Permit for spouse of high-skilled worker (TEER 0 or 1, some TEER 2/3) is also available. We map your case to the correct stream.
Children of Canada study or work permit holders can attend public school in Canada with a visitor record or as accompanying minors — no separate study permit needed for K-12 in most provinces.
Australia subclass 500 lets the primary student include partner and children as dependents. Partner can work up to 48 hours per fortnight (unlimited if the primary is doing Master's by research or PhD). Each dependent adds AUD 530 to the application fee.
