Many students will face the difficult decision of deciding whether or not to bring their families (spouse and children) to the UK to live with them during their studies. Before making a decision there are a number of things that you should carefully consider, including the financial implications, and the welfare of your spouse and children, & how well they will adapt to life in the UK. If you do decide to bring your family you must make preparations well in advance to minimise problems for the whole family. Please do not hesitate to contact the International Office at any stage; we will be more than happy to provide you with information and advice. The following information will give you some guidance:
EU/EEA Nationals:
If you are a national of a European Economic Area country, your spouse (husband/wife) and children (under 21) are free to accompany you to the UK if they are EU/EEA nationals. If your dependants are not EU/EEA nationals they should apply at the British Embassy or High Commission where they are living for an 'EU/EEA family permit' before travelling. There is no charge for this.
Non-EU/EEA Nationals:
Spouses - Your spouse may live with you as a dependant in the UK for the duration of your studies if you can show the immigration authorities that:
- You are married (you will need a marriage certificate or passport that says you are married).
- You intend to live together and your marriage is continuing.
- You can adequately maintain and accommodate yourselves without recourse to public funds.
- Your spouse does not intend to work in the UK unless they are permitted.
- Your spouse intends to leave the UK at the end of the permitted stay.
- Children - Your children may live with you as your dependants if you can show that they:
- Are your children.
- Are under the age of 18, or entered the UK under the age of 18 and have current leave to stay in the UK as the child of a student.
- Are unmarried and do not lead independent family lives.
- Will be adequately accommodated and maintained without recourse to public funds.
- Will not stay in the UK beyond the period granted to you.
If you and your family are visa nationals, you must obtain entry clearance in the form of a visa from the British High Commission or Embassy in your own country before travelling to the UK.
If you are not visa nationals, obtaining entry clearance before travelling to the UK is optional. However, although it is optional, it is advisable for those bringing dependants to obtain it, as entry clearance can make your arrival in the UK easier.
If your family are coming with you to the UK, non-EU/EEA students will need to show the Entry Clearance Officer at the British Mission, or the Immigration Officer on arrival to the UK, that there will be adequate accommodation for them.
We strongly advise you not to bring your family to Birmingham until you have secured suitable accommodation, which may mean that you have to consider travelling to the UK alone and making arrangements for your family to join you when accommodation has been secured.
The cost of living in the UK is high, and it is very expensive to support a family. If you wish to bring your spouse and/or children to live with you in Birmingham during your studies, you will need to have sufficient money to accommodate and maintain them without recourse to public funds.
EU/EEA Nationals: If you are here for six months or more you and your family can receive free treatment from National Health Service (NHS) hospitals and doctors. If your stay is for less than six months and you hold form E128 (obtainable from your own national health authority before you leave home), you can receive NHS treatment for all conditions (including pre-existing) on the same basis as UK residents. If your stay is for less than six months and you do not hold form E128, you will only be eligible for treatment the need for which arises during your stay in the UK.
Non-EU/EEA Nationals: If you are on a course lasting six months or more, your spouse and children under 16 (or under 19 if still at school or college) can get free treatment from the NHS, including free doctor's examination and hospital treatment. It is advisable to register with a doctor as soon as possible after you arrive in the UK.
EU/EEA students:
Dependants of an EEA student do not require permission to work, whatever their nationality.
Non-EU/EEA students:
Anyone entering the UK as the dependant spouse of an international student should be given a stamp allowing them to work in any capacity and for as many hours a week as they like, providing that:
The student has been granted leave to enter/remain for twelve months or more, regardless of how long the spouse has been allowed to remain in the UK.
The student is not prohibited from taking up employment, in which case the spouse is similarly prohibited.
This means that if your spouse and children are travelling separately from you, and your permission to stay is for twelve months or more, you should send them photocopies of the following pages of your passport so that they can show them to the British immigration authorities when they apply for entry clearance:
- The page with your name on.
- The page that shows your entry clearance sticker (if you have one).
- The page showing how long your permission to stay lasts.
Children between the ages of 4 and 16 may attend state primary (age 4-11) and secondary schools (age 11-16), as long as they are here as your dependants.
The school year begins in September and ends in July. The school day runs from approximately 9am until 3 15pm. To obtain a school place for your child, you need a residential address in Birmingham. Once you are in Birmingham, the ISA will be happy to assist you with obtaining a school place for your child/children.
The International Office has brochures, produced by the Local Education Authority, which will answer many of the questions you are likely to have about the education system in the UK, and about local schools. If you would like to be sent copies of the brochures before you come to the UK, please contact the College.
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