Top Countries To Study Abroad With Spouse - The Complete Guide
21st century belongs to people who have global knowledge. That's why students are crossing the countries, continents and oceans to get the best education possible. Overseas education has several benefits that can not be measured through single statistics. Whether its education, qualification, skills or the job, study abroad transforms a student to a professional who can build a successful life in this highly competitive world.
Study abroad with your spouse
But even after having several benefits, some students hold their dream due to rule constraints of study abroad with their spouse. They don't have a clear picture of the countries, university administration and immigration policies where you can move with your spouses. Different European countries have certain norms for bringing a spouse to abroad. Actually, there are lots of official perks for studying in Europe with spouses.
See the top 6 European countries which are the best destination for your abroad study with your spouse.
Denmark
Studying in one of the happiest countries is a wonderful decision that anyone can take. Denmark offers the highest wage for part-time jobs which is up to 20 euros/hour with 100% visa success rate. In this English speaking nation, you can apply with spouse & kids. When it comes to education structure, Denmark is home of world-class universities which offer a great variety of accredited courses with immense career opportunities.
Requirements For The Denmark Spouse Visa
To apply for your Denmark student visa with a spouse, the below requirements must be met by both partner/spouse:
- You must be married legally or need to be cohabitating partners.
- You must be married/in a relationship voluntarily with each other.
- You cannot be married or in a relationship only to get a residence permit.
- You both must be at least 24 years old.
- You both must meet the integration requirement.
- You both must proactively participate in the applicant’s language learning and integration.
Documents Required For Denmark Visa
- Duly filled and signed application form
- 2 passport size photographs attached to the application
- Passports and copies of previous visas with validity for at least 12 months beyond the return date
- A cover letter describing the purpose of the visit to Denmark and an itinerary
- Proof of civil status
- Proof of sufficient financial means in Denmark to support your stay
- Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of Euro 30,000
- Bank statements for the last three months
How To Apply For Spouse Visa For Denmark?
Below is the step-by-step Denmark spouse visa process
Step 1: Create SB-ID
The first step is to create an SB-ID on the SIRI website and provide the necessary information about the applicant, such as name, surname, email address, and passport number.
After filling in all the blanks, click on “Create Case Order ID” and receive the case number.
Step 2: Pay The Fee
After creating the SB-ID, the next step is to proceed with payment, where you have to pay the processing fee of DKK 10,330 (appx. € 1,380).
The following are payments options available for making the payment:
- Payment with card (Dankort, VISA, MasterCard)
- Payment by bank transfer Payment using Danish Internet bank
- Order payment form and pay the fee at a post office or in a bank
Step 3: Gather Documentation
You need to enclose your documentation to support your application; hence, it’s good to arrange the following documents:
- Marriage certificate or proof of cohabitation
- Birth certificate (for dependent children)
- Accommodation proof for you and your family member
- Documentation of paid application fee receipt
- Other supporting documents are the same as mentioned above
In case any document is missing, ensure to submit a compelling reason stating why it’s not submitted; otherwise, your application will be rejected.
Step 4: Fill In The Application
Both applicant and spouse need to fill out the FA1 application form. While filling out the application, you both will also require a NemID code card. FA1 application can be downloaded and printed in Word or PDF format.
Step 5: Submit The Application
Now submit your application at a Danish embassy or consulate or an outsourcing office in your home country. Moreover, this application form needs to be submitted in person.
Step 6: Get Your Biometric Features Recorded
Lastly, you need to get your facial photo and fingerprints recorded at the VFS office, where you can submit your application as well.
FAQs:
1. Can the dependent spouse work in Denmark?
→ Yes, the dependent spouse holding a permit as an accompanying family member of the main applicant has the right to work in Denmark. They don’t need to apply for a separate work permit if they get a job and are also allowed to run their own business in Denmark.
2. Can I bring my spouse on a student visa to Denmark?
→ Yes, you can bring your spouse on a student visa to Denmark. However, you need to prove that you have adequate finances to support them, i.e., DKK 6,243 per month.
See the video of our student who successfully got the dependent visa for Denmark.
Estonia
This small Baltic country boasts incredible scenery, stunning architecture, and offers a high-quality educational experience. With the low cost of tuition and living, Estonia is a popular student destination for various professional programmes.
Estonian universities offer more than 150 degrees. Students who are interested in studying abroad with spouse, Estonia is the best destination to choose. With the above benefits, the Estonian government provides several perks of the part-time wage for you and your partner.
Documents Requirements For Estonia Spouse Visa
Applicants applying for an Estonian spouse visa must submit these documents:
- Valid passport with at least two blank pages
- Previous visa (if any)
- Two recent passport-sized images as per photo specifications
- Application form
- Receipt of the payment of your visa application fee
- Letter of invitation from the spouse living in Estonia
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Valid medical insurance
- Medical report
- Criminal record certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Evidence that you both lived together
- An application for a temporary residence permit
How To Apply For An Estonia Spouse Visa?
To apply for a spouse visa in Estonia, you must follow these steps:
- Prepare the required documents listed above.
- Book an appointment with the Estonian consulate in your home country to submit the application.
- On the appointment date, submit the application with the necessary documents at the Estonian consulate in India. You have to go to the embassy or consulate in person and pay the visa application fee as well.
- After your document submission, the embassy forwards the application to Police Border Guard Border in Estonia for final decision.
- You will receive the result of your application visa application from the consulate/embassy of Estonia within 30 days.
FAQs:
1. How long is Estonia's spouse visa valid?
→ An Estonia spouse visa is initially granted for one year. However, after entering Estonia, you can apply for a residence permit, which has the same validity as your partner’s residence permit.
United Kingdom
There is no doubt that UK has been the most preferred country for Indian students for many years. British universities offer world-class professionals courses at an affordable cost. There are lots of recognised universities who don't ask for the IELTS exam and provide global facilities.
UK provides an easy & quick visa solution with 2 years of PSW. UK is among the countries which has a high rate of visa success. UK visa process is so convenient that you can even get the visa within 5 working days for your spouse. For UK visa process there is no need to go through a long bulky documentation process.
What Is A UK Spouse Visa?
A UK spouse visa allows eligible partners to join and live with their spouse in the UK who is settled, that is a person who has no immigration restrictions on how long they can stay in the UK.
The UK student dependent visa is initially granted for up to 2 years and 9 months. Your stay can be extended where you can acquire ILR, which allows permanent residency in the UK without being subject to immigration rules. After obtaining ILR, the eligible spouse can apply for British citizenship by marriage as well.
Who Can Apply For A UK Spouse Visa?
An individual can apply for a UK dependent visa if their partner in the UK is:
- A British citizen
- Settled in the UK and has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), permanent residence, or EU Settled Status
- Has refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK
- Has a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa
Latest UK Spouse Visa Requirements 2023
The UK has strict eligibility requirements to follow for a spouse visa. Listed below are the common requirements:
1. You must be in a genuine and eligible relationship
- Your marriage must be legally recognized in the UK.
- You must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years.
- Plan to marry within 6 months of arriving in the UK.
2. You must have sufficient funds to support your stay
- Your UK-based partner must have an earning of a minimum of £18,600 annually.
3. You must have proper accommodation in the UK
- Applicants must show evidence of suitable accommodation with sufficient living space in the UK that is owned or occupied by the applicant’s partner.
4. You must meet English language requirements
- The spouse visa applicant should have suitable knowledge of the English language and must be at least A1 in speaking and writing.
Documents Requirements For UK Spouse Visa
The required documents that need to be submitted at the time of spouse visa application include:
- Filled and signed visa application form (Form VAF4A for UK spouse visa application)
- Proof of paid spouse visa fees
- Valid passport
- Previous passports (if any)
- Evidence of your genuine relationship
- Proof you meet the English language requirements
- Two passport-sized color photos according to the UK photo specifications
- Adequate financial proof
- Previous immigration applications (if any)
- Details of any criminal convictions
- National insurance number (if you have one)
- Accommodation proof in the UK
- Biometric information
How To Apply For A UK Spouse Visa?
The application process for a spouse visa in the UK can be completed online on the Home Office's official website. It can be done through the following steps:
Step 1: Check spouse visa eligibility criteria
Step 2: Gather documents to prove eligibility
Step 3: Complete the online application form
Step 4: Pay the spouse visa application fee
Step 5: Upload documents required to support the application
Step 6: Book a biometric appointment to register fingerprints and photo
Step 7: Attend an interview if invited
FAQs:
1. What is the processing time for a UK spouse visa?
→ The average processing time for the UK partner visa can take between 2 to 12 weeks. The time duration may vary depending on the documents provided and the country you have applied from.
2. Can I sponsor my partner if I don’t have a job in the UK?
→ Yes, you can sponsor your partner even if you don’t have a job in the UK. However, make sure to meet the financial requirement for a spouse visa through any income sources such as savings, rental income, or investments.
3. Can I work on a UK spouse visa?
→ Yes, UK Spouse Visa holders are allowed to live and work full or part-time in the UK without any restrictions.
Checkout the video of our student who successfully got the UK spouse visa in just 5 days.
Germany
Germany Spouse Visa Requirements
To bring your spouse on Germany dependent visa, you should meet the below-mentioned requirements:
Accommodation:
You must have suitable accommodation in Germany; that is, your living space should be large enough to accommodate you and your spouse.
Finances:
You must have enough funds to cover both your and your spouse's living expenses without public funds support.
Age:
When applying for a spouse visa in Germany, both you and your spouse should have an age of at least 18 years.
Marriage:
Your marriage should have been registered before the arrival of your German student visa.
Course Duration:
The duration of your program should be at least 1 year.
Document Requirements For German Spouse Visa
- Completed visa application form
- Completed declaration form
- Valid passport
- Copies of the passport data page
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Residence permit
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate
- Invitation letter
- Proof of funds
- Registration of the address
- Accommodation proof
- Travel health insurance
FAQs:
1. What is the processing time for a German spouse visa?
→ As your spouse's visa application will be forwarded to the immigration authorities in Germany, it will take around 4-6 weeks to process your application. In other words, the processing time for a German spouse visa is around 1-1.5 months.
2. Can I work on a German spouse visa?
→ No, you can not work on a German spouse visa; to work in Germany, your spouse will need to convert a German spouse visa into a residence permit. With a residence permit, your spouse will be allowed to work in Germany without any issues.
3. How long is a German spouse visa valid?
→ The German spouse visa is valid till the duration of your studies. If you are pursuing a 2 years Master's course in Germany, the validity of your spouse visa will be also 2 years as your student visa.
Poland
Requirements For The Spouse Visa In Poland
Indian students studying in Poland can bring their partner on a dependent visa. But there are certain requirements to meet to apply for a Poland-dependent visa for a spouse.
- Students must have lived in Poland for at least two years on a temporary residence permit.
- Students must have lived in Poland on an EU residence permit.
Documents Required For Spouse Visa In Poland
- Valid passport
- Visa application form
- Passport size photo
- Flight itinerary
- Travel health insurance
- Evidence of relationship
- Document confirming family ties
- Residence validity proof of the spouse for the whole period of the intended stay
- Appropriate accommodation proof
- Applicant’s residence permit and spouse’s valid passport
- Documents confirming the sufficient finances to support the spouse's living and other expenses.
Polish Spouse Visa Process
Your spouse can apply for a Poland-dependent visa at the nearest Voivodeship office in Poland. Below is the step-by-step process for a detailed explanation:
Step 1: Collect Required Documents
Prepare all the necessary documents to submit along with the visa application form. Above, we have already shared the full list of documents required for the Poland spouse visa application process.
Step 2: Apply At The Voivodeship
Now the partner in Poland has to make a request for family reunification at the nearest Voivodeship Office, where they have to fill out the application form for a spouse.
Step 3: Apply At The Polish Embassy
After the approval of the application for family reunification in Poland, your spouse can apply for a dependent visa at the Polish embassy in India. A spouse can apply for national visa D, which allows entry in Poland to join a spouse living in Poland.
Step 4: Translate Documents To Polish
All the documents must be translated into Polish and should be legalized before submission. While submitting documents, you will need to provide both original and photocopy documents. (Original documents will be returned to you after the application process)
Step 5: Appointment
Make an appointment through the e-Konsulat website or directly contact the Polish embassy to submit your documents. On the appointment date, visit the embassy, submit all translated documents, and wait for the answer.
FAQs:
1. How long is the validity of the Poland spouse visa?
A Poland spouse visa comes with a validity of three years and can be renewed as long as you have a residence card.
2. Can unmarried partners apply for a spouse visa in Poland?
Yes, unmarried long-term partners of Polish residents can also apply for spouse visas. They have to prove that they have been in a relationship for at least 6 months and lived together for at least 3 months.
3. Can I work in Poland on a spouse visa?
The residence permit is granted for family reunification, which allows your spouse to work in Poland without the need for a work permit.
France
Requirements For France Dependent Visa For Spouse
The first question students think about is whether I am eligible to bring my spouse to France. The short answer is YES; however, several terms and conditions need to be met to bring your spouse to France.
The main condition is that a student must stay for at least 18 months and have a 1 year valid Visa. Besides this, students must have sufficient funds to prove that they can support their spouse's expenses and their entire stay in France. Students must also have proper accommodations to bring their spouses.
Documents Required for France Student Visa
As discussed, Indian students who want to study in France are permitted to take their spouses together. Below is the list of essential documents that need to be submitted when applying for a spouse visa in France.
- Valid passport with a minimum of two blank pages (The expiration date of the passport must be of at least 1 year and 3 months)
- Long stay visa application form duly filled and signed by the applicant
- Current passport size photograph (Sizing 3.5 x 4.5 cm)
- Detailed travel itinerary
- Proof of marriage (Marriage certificate copy on the French civil status Registries)
- Financial proof to show you have enough funds to support your stay in France
- Accommodation proof
How To Apply For A Spouse Visa For France?
Detailed spouse visa process from India:
Step 1: Register At OFII
After meeting the necessary requirement and eligibility criteria, the first thing your spouse needs to do from India is register at OFII (French Office of Immigration and Integration).
Step 2: Appointment & Submission
Make an appointment with the French Consulate on the France-Visas platform. On the date of the appointment, your spouse will need to go in person to submit the requested documents and register biometric data.
Step 3: Visa Validation
After receiving a long-stay visa, your spouse needs to enter France within three months of France visa arrival. There they need to register with OFFI to validate their visa online within the first 3 months of their arrival in France.
Your spouse will need to provide the following details:
- Visa information
- Date of entry in France
- Address of residence in France
- Credit/debit card to pay the residence permit delivery tax
How to request a French spouse visa?
You can request a France spouse visa by creating an online account on the France-Visas platform. There you will need to fill in the visa request form and check the documents requirements.
FAQs:
1. Can the dependent spouse work in France?
→ Yes, dependent spouses are allowed to work in France; however, they need to apply for an EU Blue card to work in France without any restrictions.
2. How long does it take for a French spouse visa to process?
→ The processing time of a French spouse visa may take between 3 weeks to 3 months, depending on the consulates or France visa offices.
Finland
Finland has the world's leading higher education universities which provide top English-taught bachelor's and master's degree programmes. More than 20,000 international students are studying in Finnish universities. These institutes provide several scholarship programmes. In Finland, you can move with your spouse. The immigration rules are very flexible and favourable in the student's interest.
That's not all
Many benefits of studying in these four European countries with the spouse as there is a wide choice to select the field of study. Here, you can choose a wider course at university and directly contact the institute to order the latest prospectus.
The best part is
Edugo Abroad is the leading education consultant for foreign education. We have helped many students in getting their spouse visa by providing complete mentoring support. We prepare the student with the latest update and guidance to ensure the maximum visa success possibilities. If you are planning to study abroad with your spouse, contact Edugo Abroad. Our high network and roots to European universities help to Indian students to get their dream come true.
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