Bringing family along when migrating is a legitimate wish for most people applying under skilled migration streams: no one wants to live apart from their spouse and children. This article provides a neutral comparison of how the US, Canada, Australia, and Germany treat dependents, from a spouse’s right to work to education and healthcare for children.
When considering migration, many people focus only on the conditions for themselves and forget that the whole family’s quality of life is what determines long-term success. A country may make it easy to obtain a visa for the primary applicant, but if the spouse cannot work or the children struggle to access education, the migration experience will be very different. Comparing countries from a family perspective is therefore a step that cannot be skipped.
bringing family along when migrating — illustrative image.
Contents
Bringing family along when migrating: who counts as a dependent
Before bringing your family along, it’s important to understand the concept of a dependent, as each country defines it slightly differently. In general, this group includes a spouse (including a recognized common-law partner in some countries) and children below a certain age who are still financially dependent.
A point to note is the age up to which children count as dependents, and how adult or still-studying children are treated. Some countries are more flexible with older children who are still full-time students. Parents and other relatives are usually not included as accompanying dependents in the initial skilled migration application, but must go through separate sponsorship streams after the primary applicant has settled.
Since these definitions directly affect who can accompany you, you should carefully check each country’s current regulations right from the planning stage.
A spouse’s right to work
This is one of the most important differences between countries, and a factor that significantly affects family finances.
In Canada, spouses accompanying many skilled-worker streams can often apply for an open work permit, allowing them to work for most employers. This is a point many families rate highly. The general mechanism is set by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) .
In Australia, dependants accompanying many skilled visa streams also generally have work rights, with the extent depending on the visa subclass. Information provided by the Australian Department of Home Affairs .
In Germany, spouses reuniting with a skilled worker are generally permitted to work, although German proficiency can affect actual job opportunities. Guidance for workers’ families is compiled at Make it in Germany.
In the US, a spouse’s work rights depend heavily on the principal applicant’s visa type and are not always automatic. This is a point you need to check carefully for each category. Information provided by USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) .
Comparison table of family factors
| Tiêu chí | Canada | Úc | Germany | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A spouse’s right to work | Usually granted an open work permit | Usually yes, depending on the visa | Generally permitted | Depends on the visa type, not always automatic |
| Public education for children | Free public schooling | Public schooling, fees may apply depending on the category | Free public schooling | Free public schooling |
| Healthcare for dependants | Public health insurance, varies by province | May access Medicare depending on the visa | Mandatory health insurance, including family coverage | Mainly private insurance |
| Language factor for families | English or French | English | German proficiency is important for integration | English |
The table above shows that each country has its own strengths. Canada is often praised for open work permits for spouses and public education. Germany stands out in healthcare and education for the whole family. Australia balances many aspects. The US offers high-quality education and opportunities, but many benefits depend on the visa type.
Education for children
For many families, their children’s future is the main motivation for settling abroad. All four countries have quality public school systems, and children of legal immigrants are typically treated the same as local students at the school level.
The difference lies in cost and conditions. Public schooling in Canada, Germany and the US is usually free for permanent residents’ children; in Australia, some states may charge fees depending on the parent’s visa type. At the university level, tuition and eligibility for domestic rates depend on residency status. You should look into the details for each country, for example through articles such as sending children to school in Canada, sending your children to school in Australia and sending children to school in Germany.
One factor often overlooked is the language of instruction. In Canada, Australia and the US, children study in English; in Germany, they study in German, which requires an adjustment period but also opens up a new language and culture. Young children usually adapt to language faster than adults, and sending them to school early also helps the whole family integrate into the community faster through school activities. This is a double benefit that many parents value when considering the timing of bringing their children over.
Healthcare for the whole family
Family health is a top concern when relocating with family. Countries have very different models.
Germany has a mandatory health insurance system covering the whole family, rated as comprehensive. Canada has public health insurance managed by each province, which may involve a waiting period for newcomers. Australia has Medicare, which eligible immigrants may access depending on the visa category. The US relies mainly on private insurance, usually tied to employment, so cost and coverage need to be carefully calculated. You can learn more through articles such as health insurance in Canada for newcomers, health insurance in Australia (Medicare) and health insurance in Germany.
Reunification after the principal applicant settles
If your spouse and children don’t go together from the start, all four countries have a family reunification pathway once the principal applicant has stable residency status. Conditions usually include proof of relationship, financial capacity and accommodation. You should plan for reunification from the early stages to avoid a prolonged period of separation.
Living costs for the whole family
When relocating with your family, the budget is no longer a single person’s matter but the whole household’s. A wage that is comfortable for a single person can become tight when supporting a spouse and children. So comparing the cost of living by family size is an important step before deciding.
The biggest expenses for a family are usually housing, food, transportation, after-school activities for children, and insurance. Specific costs vary widely between cities within the same country, so comparing “which country is cheaper” needs to go together with choosing a specific area to live in. A major city in Canada can be more expensive than a regional area in Australia, and vice versa.
You should research costs for each country through in-depth articles such as cost of living in Canada, cost of living in Australia and the cost of living in Germany, then compare them against your expected income for a realistic picture. A family that carefully calculates costs will settle in much faster after moving.
Income from two working spouses
This is why a spouse’s work rights matter so much. When both spouses work, the family’s financial burden decreases significantly, and the settling-in process is faster. A country that allows spouses to work freely usually creates a clear financial advantage for the family compared with one that restricts this right, although other factors can offset this.
Integration and community life
Relocating with your family is not just about paperwork, it’s also about the whole household adapting to a new life. Children need to get used to school and friends, adults need to find work and build relationships, and the whole family needs an environment that feels like home. The community factor therefore has a major impact on long-term wellbeing.
All four countries have Vietnamese communities of varying sizes, concentrated in certain areas. A large community helps newly arrived families feel less overwhelmed: there are places to buy familiar food, support groups, and people who have gone before to share experience. However, staying too closed off within the community can sometimes slow down integration into the local language and culture. A reasonable balance is usually best.
You can learn about the Vietnamese community in each country through articles such as Vietnamese community in Canada, the Vietnamese community in Australia and the Vietnamese community in Germany to picture the environment your family will live in.
The role of language in family integration
Language is the key to integration for the whole family. Children usually learn quickly through school, but adults, especially an accompanying spouse, may struggle if unprepared. Having both spouses invest in learning the language before moving helps the family integrate more evenly, avoiding a situation where one adapts well while the other becomes isolated. This factor is often underestimated but has a major impact on family wellbeing after settling.
Choosing a country based on family needs
There is no single answer as to which country is most favorable, since it depends on each family’s priorities. If a spouse needs to start working right away, open work rights are the key factor. If comprehensive healthcare is the priority, each country’s insurance model is worth weighing. If you are concerned about your children’s long-term education, the quality and cost of education at each level are the deciding factors.
For an overall framework for choosing, you can read the article choosing a country for skilled migration, and if your long-term goal is citizenship for the whole family, the article the pathway to citizenship will be very useful.
Summary
Relocating with your family is a decision that needs to be viewed comprehensively, not just in terms of conditions for the principal worker but also the spouse’s work rights and education and healthcare for children. Canada stands out for open work permits, Germany for healthcare and education for the whole family, Australia balances many aspects, and the US offers high opportunity but many benefits depend on the visa type. The most favorable country is the one that best fits your goals, occupation, budget and priorities as a family.
References
- IRCC – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (canada.ca)
- Australian Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
- Make it in Germany – German Government Portal
This article is compiled from government sources. Immigration regulations and figures may change over time; you should check current information on the official website before making a decision.
Can an accompanying spouse work?
It depends on the country and visa type. Canada usually issues an open work permit to spouses; Australia usually allows it depending on the category; Germany generally allows it; the US depends on the principal applicant’s visa type and is not always automatic. You should check the specific category.
At what age is a child considered a dependant?
Each country sets slightly different age and eligibility rules, usually a child under a certain age who remains financially dependent. Some countries are flexible for older children still in full-time study. Check the current regulations of each country.
Can children study for free?
Public schooling is usually free for permanent residents’ children in Canada, Germany and the US; in Australia, some states may charge fees depending on the visa type. University tuition and eligibility for domestic rates depend on residency status.
Can parents accompany you?
Parents are usually not included in the initial skilled-worker application. Once the principal applicant has settled, each country has separate parent sponsorship categories with different financial requirements and waiting periods.
If I don’t bring my family right away, can we reunite later?
Yes. All four countries have a family reunification pathway once the principal applicant has stable residency status, usually requiring proof of relationship, finances and accommodation. You should plan for reunification early.
