By this time you’ve probably learnt International students admitted by UK universities are no longer allowed to come in with family or dependents except those in their PhD studies. Join us as we unveil a list of countries within the EU that allows you study with your family by your side.
This is a move by the UK government that many believes will have a lot of disruptive consequences for the UK economy especially for the universities who depend so much on international tuition to run smoothly.
But the truth is, the United Kingdom is not the only country that allows you study with your family by your side and that is why this post is a must see for you as it helps you find good alternative countries to study with your family by your side.
Is Canada Trying to Toe same Path as the UK?
Of course, Canada is another country that has since late 2023, began to make moves towards curbing immigration as it feels there are less than enough resources to cater for the needs of people coming into the country.
Based on this, the government of Canada has decided to make some adjustments on how it issues Study visa, permits to dependents of international students.
Should this stop you from migrating if you’re really determined? Of course no.
List of European Countries that Accepts International Students with Family
Please pay more than usual attention as other necessary details that favors your dependents are also highlighted! This will provide answers to questions like;
Will my kids be able to go to school? Is my spouse allowed to work? Work hours allowed for international students during and after school session as well as number of years it will take to qualify for Permanent residence!
Finland
Finland is one of the many European countries that welcomes international students along with their spouses, kids (family), the most interesting thing about Finland is that international students can also enjoy a good number of scholarships and funding! We are talking about one of the most beautiful and developed countries in the EU that shares a common border with countries like Sweden, Russia and Norway! Finland is a Schengen as well as a Nordic country!
Perks for International Students in Finland
We understand everybody might not like to study in just any country based on personal choices and other factors, but below are a few interesting things to enjoy as an International student studying in Finland.
Hours of Work for international student: If you currently school in Finland, it means you’re an international student and as such, you’re entitled to 25 hours of work per week when school is in session, but all international students will be able to work for 40 hours once school is closed!
Work Permit for Spouse: Spouse of international students are allowed to work in Finland, but this depends entirely on the kind of Visa issued to the student. In some cases, your spouse might require a separate work permit!
Free Education for Children: Your kids are eligible for free education up to higher education provided your study duration is more than 6 months!
Time to qualify for Permanent Residence (PR): Just in case you’re wondering how long it’ll take to qualify for Permanent residence in Finland after your studies, it is going to take some 4 to 5 years for this to happen!
Latvia
This is yet another country that extends its open hands to international students coming in with dependents (Spouse, parents, kids). Latvia is a member of the Schengen and shares boundary with Estonia, Russia, Belarus and Lithuania. The country has some great treats for international students and these would be shared below.
Perks for International students in Latvia
Let’s see the interesting things enjoyed by international students in Latvia as we believe this will be a very serious determining factor for those considering relocating to Latvia!
Hours of Work for international student: Latvia allows international students work for 20 hours and this can be doubled when school is not on session. This means you’re allowed to work and earn while schooling in Latvia
Work Permit for Spouse: As a student in Latvia, your spouse can work on a separate work permit which is issued according to the field of expertise of your spouse!
Free Education for Children: Your students can study for free, but this would be on public schools. You will be required to pay tuition if your children chose privately owned learning institutions.
Time to qualify for Permanent Residence (PR): the time it takes to qualify for Latvia Permanent residence is 5 to 6 years. This is possible when you’ve lived in Latvia uninterruptedly for this period of time.
Netherlands
This is another Schengen country that allows you come in with your kids and dependents as an international student. The country has one of the highest wages in the European Union and work life balance is very high too. The country shares borders with Germany and Belgium. The interesting perks that exists for international students in Netherlands are highlighted below!
Perks for International Students in the Netherlands
Interesting and mind blowing benefits awaits international students who makes Netherlands their study destination. These will be highlighted below!
Hours of Work for international student: International students in the Netherlands are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during school season. This can be 40 hours when your school is off season or holidays!
Work Permit for Spouse: Your spouse is allowed to work while you study in the Netherlands. This begins an 1 full Orientation year during which your spouse is allowed to work with any employer till he or she is able to secure full employment according to their qualification.
Free Education for Children: Your kids can be enrolled in Dutch public schools, but if they’ve reached the university level, you’ll be charged for it
Time to qualify for Permanent Residence (PR): The country is more than willing to issue you a PR After 5 years of studying!
Austria
Still on European countries that welcomes you and your dependents as an International student. Austria is one of such countries. The country is a Schengen member state with a lot of good neighbors like Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland, Czech Republic as well as the Hungary.
Perks for International Students in Austria
Interesting and mind blowing benefits awaits international students who makes Austria their study destination. These will be highlighted below!
Hours of Work for international student: International students in Austria are allowed to work for 20 hours. This can be doubled during the off school season or when school is on holiday!
Work Permit for Spouse: Your spouse can secure a full time job depending on job availability and field of work!
Free Education for Children: Since you’re a student, holds valid residence permit, your kids are entitled to free education up to the secondary level. This is one of the many things that attracts many international students to the country.
Time to qualify for Permanent Residence (PR): Austria will consider you for a Permanent residence when you’ve lived for about 5 – 10 years in the country
Norway
Norway is a rich European country and one of the few European Countries that Accepts International Students with Family. The country is a Schengen member state and shares borders with 3 different seas and countries like Russia, Sweden and Finland. Norway has one of the most interesting educational systems in the world as its educational institutions charge very little compared to others around the globe!
Let’s see some interesting fact about studying in Norway as it applies to you and your family
Perks for International Students in Norway
Interesting Benefits for International students in Norway! These are known to have attracted a lot of International students in time past. Hopefully they will be good enough to attract you too!
Hours of Work for international student: As usual, you’re allowed 20 hours of work weekly, but this increases once your school is on holiday. Remember, holidays are very important as they offer you the time and freedom to work and increase your income.
Work Permit for Spouse: Since you have a residence permit, your spouse only needs to apply for Norwegian work permit. The process of obtaining a work permit here is very fast
Free Education for Children: If you’re having kids from kindergarten and Secondary educational levels, their education in Norway is totally free provided they chose a public school for their studies.
Time to qualify for Permanent Residence (PR): So long as you’ve continuously lived in Norway, financially ok, your permanent residence will come as from your 5th to 8th year in Norway!
Iceland
Iceland is located in one of the most coldest Nordic states in the European Union. It is home to a lot of interesting things, commerce and industries. The country shares boundaries with Greenland, United Kingdom and Norway. It is one of the few European Countries that Accepts International Students with Family!
Perks for International Students in Iceland
Interesting and mind blowing benefits awaits international students who makes Iceland their study destination. These will be highlighted below!
Hours of Work for international student: International students are allowed 40 hours of work during school holidays and just 20 hours when school is in session. This is because your main focus and reason for being in Finland is to study and it is best to respect this!
Work Permit for Spouse: Your spouse is allowed to work as long as you have a permanent residence. an application for work permit which is always granted must be submitted first before this can happen.
Free Education for Children: Your children can study in any of the public schools up to the secondary level.
Time to qualify for Permanent Residence (PR): In Iceland, you can begin the application process for a Permanent residence after your 4th year in the country. This is an awesome stuff i must say!
Do you have more Questions? Please feel free to use the contact details on our page to reach out to us. We are always willing to provide as much help as possible!
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