Does Ireland require a dependent visa score for masters along with the main applicant's score for a PhD?
No, Ireland has no dependent visa score for a Master's, because Master's students on Stamp 2 cannot bring dependents at all. Only PhD students can bring their spouse and children, and approval depends on funding proof, typically 10,000 to 15,000 euro a year per person, not any score.
No, there is no dependent visa score to worry about for a Master's in Ireland, because dependents simply are not permitted to accompany Master's students on a Stamp 2 visa in the first place. This rule changes completely once you move to a PhD, which is the one exception where your spouse and minor children can join you, based on funding proof rather than any score.
Master's Vs PhD Dependent Rules In Ireland
| Degree Level | Can Dependents Join? | Basis For Approval |
|---|---|---|
| Master's (NFQ Level 9), Stamp 2 | No | Not applicable; dependents are not permitted |
| PhD (NFQ Level 10) | Yes, spouse and minor children | Proof of enrollment, medical insurance, and funding of 10,000 to 15,000 euro a year per person |
What This Means For Your Planning
- If you are on a Master's, your family can only join later through family reunification, after you graduate and secure a Critical Skills Employment Permit meeting income requirements.
- If you are on a PhD, your spouse does not need any academic or language score at all to accompany you.
- You, as the main PhD applicant, must show substantial continuous funding covering the whole family without relying on public funds.
My Advice
If bringing your family during your studies matters to you, a PhD is the only realistic route in Ireland, not a Master's, so factor that into your degree choice now, and start building your funding proof of 10,000 to 15,000 euro per dependent per year well before you apply.
More expert answers
No, Ireland is generally not considered dependent-friendly for student visas.
- Master’s and Bachelor’s students on student visas (Stamp 2) are typically not allowed to bring dependents during their studies.
- Exceptions exist mainly for PhD (Level 10) students or those on specific government-approved scholarship programs, provided strict financial and immigration requirements are met.
With your plan to pursue a master's in Ireland, you would not be able to bring family members as dependents during your studies. Family reunification is usually possible only after graduation and securing eligible employment.
If you need more guidance on dependent options after your studies, please connect with your LeapScholar counsellor.
Can your spouse come with you to Ireland?
Which Irish courses still allow dependents, and what you will need to show.
More Student visa questions
- Is a loan sanction letter from the government regulated Indian Bank accepted for a UK student visa application?
- How much bank balance is needed for an Italy student visa after failing math in 12th grade?
- Can I call my husband on a dependent visa after I go on a student visa for my masters abroad in UK/Ireland?
- Is it possible for my son, who is currently in twelfth grade, to study in New Zealand next year for a Diploma?
- Which countries have less strict or different financial requirements compared to New Zealand, especially regarding funding duration?
- Can other family members act as financial sponsors if my father’s income is insufficient in Germany?
- Is it necessary to include a cover letter explaining my financial arrangement, which combines a loan and personal savings, for my German student visa application?
- Can you track an Employment Pass application on the MOM portal when your employer files it?
More Ireland questions
- Do I need to show living expenses in my bank account for visa purposes, and can I withdraw it after reaching Ireland?
- Can you tell me which colleges provide good scholarships, especially need-based rather than merit-based scholarships in Ireland/France for a Master's?
- After completing my studies, can I stay back in Ireland and apply for permanent residency for a Master's/Bachelor's?
- Will there be any problems if I do my studies offline abroad given the education structure is different from India in Ireland/Canada?
- Can you explain the difference between Germany and Ireland regarding dependent visas and family stay for a PhD?
- Is it possible to pursue a master's in artificial intelligence and machine learning abroad in Ireland/Singapore?
- Which courses have good hiring prospects for the next ten years, especially compared to AI in Ireland/Germany?
- What other steps do I need to follow to get admission to those universities in UK/Ireland for a Master's?