Under Canadian immigration guidelines for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits do not count toward your minimum income threshold. However, EI special benefits-including compassionate care and family caregiver benefits-are legally counted as income for meeting the LICO + 30% requirement. The base government processing fee to sponsor an adult relative is $1,260 CAD.
Bringing your parents or grandparents to live in Canada permanently is a deeply rewarding goal for many families. 👨👩👧👦 However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) enforces strict financial requirements to ensure that sponsors can fully support their elderly relatives without relying on social assistance. To qualify, you must prove that you meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), which is calculated as the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30 percent, for the three consecutive taxation years preceding your application.
When life throws unexpected challenges your way, such as needing to take time off work to care for a gravely ill family member, your income naturally takes a hit. 💔 Many Canadians rely on federal Employment Insurance (EI) compassionate care or caregiver benefits during these difficult periods. Fortunately, IRCC recognizes the vital nature of these specific programs, meaning these temporary benefits will not automatically disqualify you from reuniting with your parents in Canada.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada
Whether you reside in Calgary, Toronto, or Halifax, the financial evaluation for the PGP is a federally regulated process managed by IRCC and cross-referenced with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). 🏢 Generally, Quebec residents are subject to different provincial income thresholds and do not follow the federal LICO + 30% rule. For all other provinces and territories, here is how you calculate and apply your income.
Step 1: Determine Your Family Unit Size
The very first step is accurately counting the number of people you are financially responsible for. 👸 Your family size includes yourself, your spouse or common-law partner, your dependent children, the parents or grandparents you are sponsoring, and any of their dependent children. It also includes anyone you have previously sponsored who is still under an active financial undertaking.
Step 2: Obtain Your CRA Notices of Assessment
IRCC relies exclusively on official tax documents to verify your income. 📝 You must download your Notice of Assessment (NOA) for the three required taxation years directly from your CRA My Account. The key figure that immigration officers look at is Line 15000 (Gross Income) on your federal tax return.
Step 3: Deduct Ineligible Provincial and Federal Benefits
Not all money listed on Line 15000 counts towards your sponsorship eligibility. 🔍 You must subtract any provincial social assistance, regular EI benefits (for standard unemployment), and the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). If you received regular EI because you simply lost your job, that specific amount must be deducted from your total qualifying income for that year.
Step 4: Confirm Your Special EI Benefits
This is where careful documentation saves your application. 💰 While regular EI is deducted, special EI benefits-including maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and family caregiver benefits-are legally permitted to remain part of your qualifying income. Ensure you have your Service Canada statements to prove that the EI you received was specifically coded as caregiver or compassionate care benefits, should an officer ask for clarification.
Step 5: Submit Your Interest to Sponsor
Once you are absolutely certain your recalculated income meets the LICO + 30% threshold for all three required years, you must wait for IRCC to open the PGP intake. 📬 You will submit an online Interest to Sponsor form. If you are lucky enough to be randomly selected in the lottery, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and will have a strict deadline (usually 60 days) to submit your full application package.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Sponsoring a family member requires significant financial planning beyond just meeting the LICO threshold. 💵 You must pay federal processing fees, biometrics, and potential medical exam costs. Below is an outline of the mandatory government fees to sponsor one adult parent.
| Fee Type | Estimated Cost (CAD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship Application Fee | $90 | The base fee to assess your eligibility as a Canadian sponsor. |
| Principal Applicant Fee | $570 | The processing fee for your parent or grandparent’s permanent residency application. |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee | $600 | A mandatory fee required before the PR visa is issued (can be paid upfront). |
| Biometrics Fee | $85 | The cost for fingerprinting and digital photography at a Visa Application Centre. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
The Parents and Grandparents Program is notorious for lengthy processing times due to immense demand and limited annual quotas. ⏱ Currently, if you are invited to apply and submit a complete application, the average processing time is approximately 30 months for applicants living outside Quebec. However, due to provincial caps and the Canada-Québec Accord, sponsors residing in Quebec face much longer wait times, with processing taking up to 65 months. While waiting, many sponsors choose to apply for a Super Visa, which allows parents to visit Canada for up to 5 years at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do maternity and parental EI benefits count towards my income?
Yes. Just like compassionate care benefits, EI maternity and parental benefits are classified as special benefits. They are fully counted towards your minimum necessary income for family sponsorship in Canada.
What happens if my income dropped below the threshold for one year?
For the federal PGP program, you must meet the LICO + 30% threshold for all three consecutive years immediately before applying. If you missed the threshold in any of those three years, your application will generally be refused. You must wait until you have a solid three-year block of sufficient income.
Can I combine my income with my spouse’s income?
Yes. Your spouse or common-law partner can act as a co-signer on your sponsorship application. If they co-sign, their income (as shown on line 15000 of their CRA NOA) will be combined with yours to help meet the LICO + 30% requirement.
Does disability income count towards sponsorship?
It depends on the source. Provincial social assistance (welfare) or disability support programs that are considered social assistance do not count. However, long-term disability benefits paid through an insurance program or CPP Disability are generally considered taxable income and may be counted.
What are the rules if I live in Quebec?
The province of Quebec has its own immigration agreement with the federal government. Sponsors living in Quebec are only required to show sufficient income for the past 12 months, not three years, and they do not use the federal LICO + 30% charts. They use the provincial MIFI income scales.
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