It’s entirely possible to bring your family along while pursuing an MBA abroad with the help of student dependent visas that allow spouses to work and children to attend local schools. Prepare for a successful transition with careful planning around visa requirements, finances, and support services.
Can You Bring Your Family While Studying for an MBA?
International MBA candidates who plan to commit a full year or more abroad and have families should discuss the possibility of their partner and/or children relocating along with them. Having your family close will help make your new life abroad feel more “normal”, even if it’s just for the duration of your studies. And vice versa – missing your family while they stay far away at home can be a distracting and difficult thing to cope with for everyone.
Countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and Finland actually provide visas specifically for spouses and children of MBA students. The UK and the US also offer dependent visa options, but the regulations are specific to the business school and program. Expect processing to take from several weeks to a few months. Start the application process early to avoid any unwanted delays – ideally alongside your own student visa. With a visa (and a work permit), the business school candidate’s spouse can get a job, while children can attend school locally.
Beyond logistics, think of the cultural adjustment period for each family member as well. You will be immersed in campus life, but your partner and children will need to build their own routines and connections in an unfamiliar environment.
Of course, this is a matter which should be considered carefully by the whole family – research each option well and weigh their pros and cons.
Dependent Visa Options by Country
Before making specific plans for your family moving, finalize the MBA destination and understand the requirements for student dependent visas in the particular country.
In the United States, F-1 student visa holders can bring dependents on F-2 visas. This means the candidate’s spouse as well as children below 21 years of age can get the visa. Working is not possible with the F-2, but studying part-time and accessing campus facilities is allowed.
In Canada, the situation is more flexible when it comes to the study permit system. Spouses of full-time students can apply for an open work permit, which means they can get hired by and work for any employer. As for children, they can attend public schools in most provinces without having to pay tuition.
Australia is another example of a welcoming and cooperative system for dependents of MBA candidates. Student visa holders can include family members in their application. Spouses can work unlimited hours and children can attend public schools (but keep in mind that some states charge fees for dependent children).
European countries vary widely. Germany offers generous dependent visa options for spouses if the student’s course lasts at least one year. Nordic countries like Finland tend to be particularly family-friendly, with smooth processes and strong support systems for international families.
Schooling and Childcare Abroad
When planning an MBA with family coming along, you will naturally want to arrange the best possible education for your children as well. Depending on the destination country and how long you will be staying abroad, the options will differ.
As you may already know, public schools are often the most budget-friendly option. They are also an opportunity for the child to quickly get immersed in the local culture and language. In many places in Europe as well as in Canada, public education is free or low-cost for children of international students. However, attending a school in a language different than that of the child’s home country can be challenging and requires even more adaptation.
If you strongly prefer an English-language curriculum for your child, a private international school is another option. The International Baccalaureate (IB) is one such example. This can make the transition easier and in case you want to move back or move to another country, the curriculum and standards are consistent across locations. With private schools, the downside is the cost.
When weighing different options for schooling for children abroad, first consider their ages, their adaptability, and your program length.
Financial Planning for a Family Move
Despite the excitement of the possibility of studying abroad and having your family come along, it’s important to estimate how this move will affect the family budget. On top of tuition costs, study trips, and living expenses for yourself, having your spouse and children abroad with you could mean increased spending, especially if the work situation is uncertain. Doing a full-time MBA means students cannot work throughout their studies, leaving it to the spouse to find a new job in this new country.
There is a lot you can do to prepare financially and mentally. Start by researching the cost of living in the destination city, including rent, groceries, transportation, healthcare. Don’t forget hidden expenses like visa application fees, international health insurance for dependents, school enrollment costs, and initial setup expenses such as furniture. Some business schools offer family scholarships, so explore all financial aid options early.
A smart thing to plan early on before departure is building an emergency fund covering at least three months of expenses. That way, there’s a financial safety net to rely on. Don’t hesitate to reach out to current students who brought families along as they can provide realistic budget estimates based on actual experience. Some spouses find remote work opportunities with their home-country employers, which can ease the financial transition. Just check carefully how to make this officially legal in the place where you move.
Support Services for Student Families
The process may seem daunting – it’s not just you moving to another country, but your closest family members too. Fortunately, with the help of the university, this big change will feel much more manageable.
Many business schools like INSEAD (France) offer family orientation programs and housing assistance for families. At INSEAD, around 30% of students bring their partners along. And with a class size of about 900 people, this means the community of spouses is quite large. Partners gain access to the library, fitness center, social and club events. Networking events can help spouses integrate into the local community. Another possible perk is having career counseling services specifically for partners of MBA students. As for the children, many campuses have childcare facilities or playrooms available.
Local expat communities can be another source of connecting with people and settling in. Cities with major business schools often have established networks of international families who organize social gatherings or language exchange meetups. Don’t underestimate online platforms or Facebook groups to help you connect with other newcomers or even with people who have already spent a long time in the country as expats. Look for English-speaking parent groups and cultural associations that welcome MBA families for advice on things like handling taxes or finding a local pediatrician. Even if it’s just for making new friends, there will always be resources available to help you.
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