Spouse Visa Comparison: Canada vs UK vs Australia for Indian Couples (2026)

One of the biggest decisions for married Indian students is whether and when to bring their spouse abroad. The rules are dramatically different across Canada, UK, and Australia — and getting it wrong means your spouse can't work, or faces a long wait.

Canada: Open work permit for spouses

Canada has one of the most spouse-friendly policies for international students. If you are enrolled full-time in a 16-month or longer program at a DLI, your spouse can apply for an open work permit alongside your study permit. The open work permit lets them work for any Canadian employer in any role — there is no restriction. This is the strongest spouse policy of the three countries.

UK: Spouse visa only for postgraduate students

UK's spouse rules changed significantly in 2024. Spouses of international students can now only accompany you if you are a postgraduate (master's or PhD) student at a government-approved institution. Spouses of undergraduate students can no longer get a UK dependent visa. Work rights for spouses depend on your visa type — spouses of postgraduate students at universities can usually work full-time.

Australia: Secondary applicants on student visa

In Australia, your spouse applies as a 'secondary applicant' on your student visa (subclass 500). They receive a visa linked to yours. If you are studying a master's or doctorate by coursework or research, your spouse gets unrestricted work rights. For bachelor's degrees, work is limited to 48 hours per fortnight. Children attend Australian schools (often free at public schools).

Cost comparison: spouse visa fees

• Canada: Spouse OWP adds CAD 255 (roughly ₹16,000) to your application
• UK: Dependent visa costs £776 application + £776/year IHS surcharge — adds up quickly
• Australia: Secondary applicant adds AUD 530 (roughly ₹29,000) to your student visa
• In all three countries, you must prove additional financial capacity for your spouse and any children

Bottom line: Which is best for Indian couples?

Canada is the best overall for Indian couples: your spouse gets an open work permit quickly, the cost is lowest, and the PR pathway applies to both of you (spousal PR through Express Entry spousal sponsorship). Australia is second — spouse work rights are strong and the cost of living is manageable. UK has become the most restrictive after the 2024 dependent visa changes. Future Link advises couples on the full financial picture including spouse income potential before selecting a destination.

The right country for a student couple is the one where both spouses can thrive financially — not just the one with the best university ranking.