When an employee relocates internationally on an employer-sponsored work visa, their family members do not automatically receive the right to accompany them. Each dependant who will be living in the host country requires their own visa or entry authorisation, obtained through a dependent visa process that runs alongside the work visa application, but is handled separately.

This article explains how dependent visa applications work, who qualifies as a dependant under corporate immigration frameworks, what rights dependants hold in the host country, and what to do if circumstances change during the assignment.

For a full walk-through of the whole journey, have a read: The complete guide to international employee relocation: what to expect when your company moves you abroad

Who qualifies as a dependant for immigration purposes

The definition of a dependant for visa purposes is set by the immigration rules of the destination country, not by the employee’s personal or family circumstances. This is an important distinction, because relationships that are legally recognised in the home country may not carry the same status under the host country’s immigration framework.

Most jurisdictions define dependants to include the following categories, though the specific eligibility rules vary and are subject to change. The destination’s position is confirmed at the time of the move

• Spouses. A legally married spouse is recognised as a dependant in the vast majority of destination countries.
• Civil partners. Civil partnerships are recognised as equivalent to marriage for immigration purposes in many jurisdictions, but not all. The immigration firm will confirm the position for the specific destination.
• Unmarried partners. Some countries allow unmarried partners to qualify as dependants where the relationship meets a defined threshold of duration and cohabitation. Others do not recognise this category at all.
• Dependent children. Children below the host country’s defined age threshold (commonly 18, but varying) who are financially dependent on the primary visa holder. Rules around step-children and adopted children vary by jurisdiction.
• Other dependants. Elderly parents or other family members are not typically covered by standard dependent visa frameworks. Where this is relevant, the immigration firm advises on whether alternative routes exist.

The immigration firm will conduct an eligibility assessment for each family member before the application process begins. Do not assume that a family member who accompanied you on a previous assignment to a different country will automatically qualify under the rules of the new destination.

How the dependant visa application process works

Dependent visa applications are managed by the immigration firm as part of the overall case but are legally separate from the primary work visa. In most jurisdictions, the primary work visa must be confirmed or at an advanced stage before dependent applications can be submitted, as the dependent’s right to enter and remain in the host country is legally linked to the primary permit holder’s status.

The documentation required for dependent visa applications typically includes the following.

• Evidence of relationships. A marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, or documentation evidencing a qualifying unmarried relationship, translated and certified as required by the destination country.
• Birth certificates. For dependent children, a birth certificate, translated and certified as required.
• Valid passports. Each dependant requires a valid passport with the minimum validity period required by the destination country.
• Financial dependency evidence. Some jurisdictions require evidence that the dependant is financially supported by the primary visa holder.
• Biometric enrollment. Dependants above a defined age threshold may be required to enrol biometric data at a visa application centre.

All documentation must be accurate and consistent with the information provided in the primary visa application. Discrepancies are a common cause of delay.

Work rights for dependants in the host country

A dependent visa does not automatically confer the right to work in the host country. The work rights available to dependants vary considerably by destination and is one of the biggest differences between countries for families where the accompanying partner is employed.

The immigration firm will confirm what work rights apply to dependants in the specific destination country and under the specific visa category used. Where the accompanying partner intends to work, this should be clarified before the relocation is confirmed, as it may influence the decision to proceed with the assignment.

If circumstances change during the assignment

Changes in family or personal circumstances during an assignment can have immigration implications that require prompt action. The immigration firm should be notified in the following situations.

• Relationship breakdown. Where the primary visa holder and a dependant spouse or partner separate or divorce, the dependant’s immigration status in the host country may be affected. The dependant may need to apply for an independent immigration status.
• Birth of a child during the assignment. A child born to an assignee during the assignment will need their own entry documentation for the host country. The immigration requirements and timelines vary by jurisdiction.
• A dependant leaving the host country permanently. If a dependant returns to the home country before the end of the assignment, the immigration firm should be advised, as this may require notification to the immigration authority.
• A dependant reaching the age threshold. When a dependent child reaches the age at which they no longer qualify as a dependant under the host country’s rules, their immigration status needs to be reviewed.

How MovePlus supports your family’s visa applications

If your employer works with MovePlus, your Relocation Advocate coordinates your family’s visa applications alongside your own. We are not an immigration firm. We work with immigration specialists in each destination who handle the applications and advise on the rules that apply to you, and your Advocate manages that process so you are not chasing it yourself.

Your family’s documents, visa status and renewal dates are held in the MOVEPLUS™ platform alongside your own, so you and your HR team can both see where each application stands.