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- Bringing your family
Can I bring my family with me?
It may be possible for you to bring your family with you to Edinburgh during your studies.
If you are thinking of bringing dependants with you, you need to check the rules and documents required.
European (EEA) nationals
If you are from a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) your family members can join you.
If they are not nationals of your country or another country in the European Economic Area (EEA) you will have to apply for an EEA family permit.
Contact the British Embassy or High Commission nearest you who will help you apply for an EEA Family Permit before travelling to the UK.
Non EEA nationals
Visas for dependants
The immigration rules are fairly restrictive with regards to bringing dependants with you to the UK while you are a student. Not all students will be permitted to have their dependants accompany them during their studies. For information about this please refer to the guidance published by the International Office:
Employment information for dependants
If you, the student, are granted a Tier 4 (General) student visa for 12 months or more and you are permitted to bring your dependants with you, your dependant spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner should be given a visa for the same duration as yours. They should also be given permission to work in the UK during this time.
Before starting work in the UK, your family member should check the conditions attached to the immigration permission on their visa. If they are allowed to work, the only condition will be 'no recourse to public funds'.
This means that your family member can take up full-time or part-time employment, be self-employed or set up a business. If the words 'no work' or 'work prohibited' appear on the visa, your family member is not allowed to undertake any work, paid or unpaid.
This article was published on Jun 14, 2011