🇨🇦 Canada — Start-Up Visa (Family Rules)

The Canada SUV is highly family-friendly — family members can be included in the permanent residence application from the start. ^[101]

• Spouse / Common-law Partner: Eligible for an open work permit, meaning they can work for any employer in Canada without a job offer or LMIA. ^[102]
• Dependent Children: Children under 22 years old (not married or in a common-law relationship) are included in the PR application and land as permanent residents. Children aged 22+ qualify only if financially dependent on parents since before age 22 and unable to support themselves due to a medical/physical condition. ^[104]
• Settlement Funds: Required amount increases with family size (updated annually by IRCC). Applicants cannot borrow settlement funds. ^[105]
• Caution: Including the entire family at the work permit stage may raise flags about ties to the home country. Strategically, it is often better to include the family only at the PR stage. ^[101]

🇬🇧 UK — Innovator Founder Visa (Family Rules)

• Eligible Dependants: Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (of at least 2 years); children under 18; children over 18 already in the UK as a dependant. ^[106]
• Dependent Maintenance Funds: In addition to the principal applicant's £1,270: £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child, and £200 for each additional child — all held for 28 consecutive days. ^[107]
• Work & Study Rights: Dependants can work in most professions (except professional sports) and can pursue education. ^[108]
• ILR for Dependants: Partners need 5 continuous years as a dependant to qualify for ILR, even if the principal qualifies after 3 years. Partners must also pass the Life in the UK Test and meet English language requirements. ^[109]
• Visa Duration: Dependants' visas end on the same date as the principal applicant's. Each dependant completes a separate application with a full fee. ^[106]

🇮🇪 Ireland — STEP Visa (Family Rules)

• Eligible Family Members: Spouse/civil partner (legally married), de facto partner (2+ years cohabitation), children under 18 (or under 23 in full-time education). Dependent parents are allowed only in limited circumstances. ^[110]
• Income Thresholds (gross annual): €30,000 for a spouse; €44,300 for 1 child; €54,200 for 2 children; €92,789 for parents. ^[111]
• Spouse Work Rights: Spouses of STEP holders receive a Stamp 1G, granting full work rights in Ireland without a separate employment permit (effective May 2024). ^[112]
• Timing: Family reunification applications can typically be made approximately 12 months after the principal applicant is established in Ireland. ^[113]
• Restriction (from November 2025): Dependent children aged 18–23 in full-time education can no longer be sponsored under the same financial criteria as under-18 children (unless the sponsor is an EU citizen working in Ireland). ^[113]

🇸🇬 Singapore — EntrePass (Family Rules)

Singapore's EntrePass family reunification is milestone-gated — dependants can only be brought in after achieving specific business spending and hiring targets. ^[114]

• Spouse Work Rights: DP holders can apply for a Letter of Consent (LOC) to work in Singapore, generally approved for spouses of EntrePass holders. ^[116]
• Key Implication: Founders who have just arrived on a new EntrePass cannot immediately bring family — the business must first operate and hire local employees for 12 months before a DP application is possible. ^[114]

🇭🇰 Hong Kong — Investment as Entrepreneurs (Family Rules)

• Eligible Dependants: Legal spouse; unmarried children under 18; in some cases, parents aged 60 and above. ^[117][118]
• Requirements: Proof of genuine family relationship; no criminal record; sponsor must financially support dependants and provide accommodation without relying on public funds. ^[117]
• Stay Period: Dependants' stay is linked to the sponsor's authorised stay and mirrors the sponsor's visa duration. ^[119]
• Work & Study Rights: Hong Kong dependants are not prohibited from taking up employment or studies in Hong Kong under existing policy. ^[119]
• Processing Time: Approximately 6 weeks upon receipt of all required documents. ^[120]

🇨🇾 Cyprus — Startup Visa (Family Rules)

• Eligibility Timing: Employed startup founders can apply for family reunification immediately; self-employed founders must wait 2 years. ^[121]
• Eligible Family Members: Spouse over the age of 21 (marriage must have taken place at least 1 year before application); unmarried minor dependent children; unmarried minor children of the spouse. ^[122]
• Spouse Work Rights: Spouses of Startup Visa holders have free access to Cyprus's labour market for remunerated employment. ^[123]
• Residence Permit Duration: Family members receive a 1-year renewable residence permit; duration cannot exceed the principal permit. ^[122]
• Citizenship Path for Family: Spouses can apply for naturalisation under the same conditions as the principal applicant, simultaneously or later. Children who were minors at the time of application remain eligible even after turning 18. ^[124]
• Documents Required: Valid passport; clean criminal record for spouse and children over 16; bank guarantee (€350–850/person); lease or title deed; marriage certificate (married at least 1 year); birth certificates. ^[125]

Family Inclusion — Quick Reference Summary