Canada Open Work Permit and Australia 500 dependent
Canada OWP for spouse of Study Permit holder is now restricted (March 2024 change) to spouses of students in Master's, Doctoral or select professional programmes — we check programme code at consultation. Fee CAD 255. Allows full-time work for any employer.
Canada OWP for spouse of high-skilled worker (TEER 0/1 and select TEER 2/3) remains broadly available. We file the right stream.
Australia subclass 500 lets the primary student include partner and dependent children. Partner can work 48 hours per fortnight; unlimited if main applicant is doing Master's by research or PhD. Each dependent adds AUD 530 to the application fee.
Children in Canada and Australia can attend public school as accompanying minors — a separate study permit is generally not needed for K-12 in Canada and most Australian states.
United Kingdom — Dependent of Skilled Worker / Student
UK Dependent visa is for spouse and children under 18. Visa fee £490 per person plus IHS £776 per year per person. Maintenance funds: £285 for partner + £315 for first child + £200 for each additional child, held 28 days unless main applicant is in UK 12+ months.
For Student route: dependents are now allowed only for postgraduate research courses (PhD or research masters of 9+ months) — that rule changed January 2024. PhD students at Oxford, Cambridge, UCL etc. can still bring family.
Documents: marriage certificate (apostilled), child birth certificates, photographs, financial proof, main applicant's CoS or CAS, accommodation evidence, relationship-genuineness pack.
Decisions usually 3 weeks from biometrics; Priority service in 5 working days for £500 extra per applicant; Super Priority in next working day for £1000 extra.
United States — H-4, L-2, F-2
H-4 is for spouse and children under 21 of H-1B (and H-2A, H-2B, H-3) holders. Filed via DS-160, fee USD 205, biometrics at Ahmedabad and visa interview at Mumbai or Delhi consulate.
H-4 EAD is available only if the principal H-1B is the beneficiary of an approved I-140 or has AC21 extension beyond 6 years. Form I-765 filed with USCIS after landing. Current processing 4-9 months.
L-2 is for spouse and children of L-1 intra-company transferees. L-2 spouse has automatic work authorisation since November 2021 — no separate EAD needed. Visa fee USD 205, same DS-160 path.
F-2 is the dependent of an F-1 student. F-2 spouse cannot work and can study only part-time recreationally; children can attend K-12 full-time. Document core: marriage certificate, F-1 holder I-20 with dependent endorsement, financial proof showing cost of attendance plus dependents.
