For many international students, especially Nigerians planning long-term studies abroad, relocating alone is no longer the ideal option.
With rising living costs, extended postgraduate programmes, and the need for family support, the ability to bring dependents such as a spouse or children has become a key factor when choosing a study destination.
In several countries, international students can apply to bring dependents either at the same time as their study permit application or after securing residence.
These dependent permits often allow spouses to live and work legally, helping households manage expenses and integrate more easily into the host country’s economy. Children, on the other hand, are typically granted access to public education and healthcare, reducing the overall cost of relocation for families.
However, policies differ widely across countries. While some countries offer flexible rules and fast processing, others impose strict income thresholds, accommodation requirements, or limits based on the level of study.
For Nigerian students, understanding these differences is crucial to avoiding delays, refusals, or unexpected costs. Below is a curated list of the top 10 countries that allow international students to bring dependents, highlighting destinations that combine quality education with family-friendly immigration policies.
International students in the Netherlands can bring family members—such as a partner or minor children by applying for a residence permit for dependents. To do this, the student must be able to act as a sponsor, demonstrating sufficient, independent, and ongoing income to support the family.
If a partner obtains a residence permit through the student, they generally cannot work. The duration of the family’s permit usually matches the student’s residence permit. Proof of relationship is required, including marriage certificates, registered partnership documents, or birth certificates for children.
For children under 18, a residence permit allows them to live with their parents in the Netherlands. Partners and other relatives must also hold a residence permit to stay in the country legally.
Short-stay and regular residence permits are available depending on the length of the student’s program. Applications for family members are typically made through the Dutch immigration authorities (IND), and the student’s permit must already be valid before dependents can apply.
By meeting these requirements, international students can ensure their spouses and children live with them in the Netherlands during their studies while children can attend school and family life is legally supported.
