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How to use this checklist
The structure below covers nine destinations that account for the bulk of international school enquiries we see. Each country section gives the visa name, the dependant age limit, the school evidence required and the typical processing window. The figures are accurate as of May 2026 but should be cross-checked against the destination's official immigration site before submission. Where rules are in flux, we have flagged the volatility.
The decision between the dependant visa and other routes is covered separately in our student visa versus dependant visa for children piece. For families considering the investor route, our golden visa countries and school admissions guide sets out the alternative pathway.
United Arab Emirates
UAE Dependant Residence Visa
The UAE runs one of the most generous dependant visa regimes globally. A primary visa holder (Skilled Worker, Investor, Golden Visa) can sponsor spouse, children and unmarried adult daughters. Sons over 18 in full-time study can be extended to 25. The application is processed through GDRFA Dubai or the relevant emirate authority. Required documents: marriage certificate (attested), birth certificate (attested), Emirates ID of sponsor, salary certificate, tenancy contract (Ejari), school offer letter for the child.
Practical notes: medical fitness test required on entry for children over 18. Medical insurance must be in place before residence stamping. School fees in the UAE attract no VAT but do attract a 5 per cent municipality fee in some emirates.
Singapore
Dependant Pass (DP)
Singapore's Dependant Pass tracks the parent's Employment Pass (EP) or S-Pass with salary thresholds. EP holders earning at least SGD 6,000 per month can sponsor spouse and children under 21. The application goes through MOM's EP Online. Required documents: parent's EP card, marriage and birth certificates (English or certified translation), passport copies, recent passport photographs.
Practical notes: children on a DP can attend international schools in Singapore but admission to local government schools requires a separate Student Pass and a competitive placement process via the AEIS examination. Plan school choice in tandem with the DP application, not after.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Dependant Visa
The Hong Kong dependant visa is administered by the Immigration Department and tracks the sponsor's primary visa or permanent residence. Sponsorship is open to those on the General Employment Policy, Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, Top Talent Pass and several other categories. Required documents: marriage and birth certificates, financial evidence, accommodation evidence.
Practical notes: international school admission in Hong Kong is competitive enough that the school offer often takes longer than the visa. Apply to schools in parallel with the visa.
United Kingdom
Dependant of Skilled Worker / Student visa
UK dependant visas for children attach to either the Skilled Worker route or other qualifying routes. The 2024 rule changes restricted dependant rights on the Student visa route except for postgraduate research students and government-sponsored students. Skilled Worker dependants remain open. Required documents: TB test certificate for applicants over 11 from listed countries, financial evidence, marriage and birth certificates.
Practical notes: state school enrolment is available to children on a dependant visa from age 4. The Independent Schools Council network welcomes dependant visa children on the same terms as UK residents for fee-paying schools.
Run the visa check first
The school decision and the visa decision interlock. Use the visa checker to confirm dependant eligibility for your specific situation, the school finder to shortlist schools that accept your visa category, and the compare tool for destination-to-destination comparison. For tailored guidance send the family composition and target country to the Get Help form.
United States
H-4 Dependant Visa
The H-4 attaches to H-1B principal. The application is filed alongside or after the H-1B with USCIS Form I-539. State school enrolment is open to H-4 children on the same terms as US residents. Required documents: I-94, marriage and birth certificates, H-1B approval notice, biometric appointment confirmation.
Practical notes: the H-4 expires when the H-1B expires. If the H-1B is not extended, the entire family loses status. For families with longer-term US horizons, the L-2 (for intracompany transferees) is more secure and the L-2 spouse currently has automatic work authorisation.
Switzerland
Permit B (Family Reunification)
Switzerland processes family reunification at the cantonal level. EU/EFTA citizens have more straightforward rules than third-country nationals; the Permit B for family of a permit holder is the standard route. Required documents: marriage and birth certificates, housing evidence, financial evidence (variable by canton), confirmation of health insurance.
Practical notes: Swiss state schooling is taught in the cantonal language (German, French or Italian) and is generally strong. International schools sit in parallel and are heavily used by expatriate families in Geneva, Zurich and Basel.
Netherlands
Family Member Residence Permit (MVV plus VVR)
Dutch family reunification follows the highly skilled migrant route (kennismigrant) or the EU Blue Card. The IND processes the application; biometric data is captured at a Dutch consulate before travel. Required documents: legalised marriage and birth certificates, financial evidence at the prevailing salary threshold, accommodation evidence.
Practical notes: state schools admit children of family permit holders without restriction. Bilingual streams (Dutch plus English) are common in Amsterdam and The Hague.
Australia
Subclass 482 / 186 Dependant
Australian dependant visas attach to a sponsoring primary visa (Temporary Skill Shortage 482, Employer Nomination Scheme 186, or permanent residence). Children up to 23 can be included with evidence of financial dependency. Required documents: health examination, character clearance, evidence of relationship.
Practical notes: state school fees apply to dependants of temporary visa holders in some states (notably New South Wales and Victoria); confirm with the destination state's education department before assuming free state schooling. Read our admissions timing by city piece for the Sydney and Melbourne school sequencing.
Documents most countries require
Universal dependant visa document set
- Child's passport (six months minimum validity beyond intended stay)
- Birth certificate (apostilled or legalised)
- Marriage certificate of parents (apostilled or legalised)
- Parents' passports and primary visa evidence
- School offer letter (conditional or unconditional, country-dependent)
- Recent passport photographs (specific size per destination)
- Medical or TB certificate (UK, Australia, US for selected applicants)
- Health insurance for the duration of stay (most destinations)
- Financial evidence (sponsor salary or savings to threshold)
- Accommodation evidence (lease, ownership or sponsor's housing)
The apostille step is the one that catches families out. Birth and marriage certificates issued in one country must usually be authenticated (apostille under the Hague Convention, or full legalisation for non-Hague countries) before they are accepted abroad. The process takes one to three weeks in most home countries. Begin it before the visa application, not in parallel.
FAQ
Most major destinations process dependant visa applications in three to eight weeks. The UAE is often faster (one to three weeks), the United States can be substantially slower (six to twelve weeks for H-4), and most of Europe sits in the middle. Build a six-week buffer between submission and intended arrival.
In most destinations yes, although the level of formality varies. The UAE, Singapore and the UK accept conditional school offers. Australia and parts of Europe sometimes require an unconditional letter of acceptance before the dependant visa application is processed.
The dependant visa is conditional on the parent maintaining qualifying primary status. If the parent changes employer, retires or loses sponsorship, the family is usually given a grace period (typically 30 to 90 days) to either find new sponsorship or leave. Plan for this contingency before signing multi-year school commitments.
It varies. In the UAE, Singapore and most of Europe, dependants under 18 cannot work, with limited exceptions for older students with specific work permission. In the UK, dependant children at university age can work up to 20 hours during term time under the standard rules. Check the specific destination policy before assuming.