Super Visa Minimum Income Requirement (LICO) for Canadian Sponsors

Reuniting with your parents or grandparents in Canada is a beautiful milestone, but it involves careful financial planning. The Canadian Super Visa is an incredibly popular option because it allows your loved ones to stay in the country for up to five consecutive years per visit. However, to ensure that visitors do not rely on social assistance, the government mandates a strict financial test for the Canadian sponsor. If you live in Toronto, Calgary, or any other city across the country, you generally need to show that your household makes enough money to comfortably support your extended family. 🇨🇦

Understanding the Super Visa minimum income requirement is often the most stressful part of the application. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses a specific metric called the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) to determine if you qualify. In this guide, we will break down the current LICO table, explain exactly how to calculate your family size, and show you which documents, like your Notice of Assessment (NOA), usually help guarantee that your financial proof is accepted without frustrating delays.

What is the Super Visa Minimum Income Requirement (LICO)?

The LICO is a standard measurement used by the Canadian government to represent the poverty line in urban areas. To be an eligible sponsor, your gross household income (before taxes) generally needs to meet or exceed this exact number. IRCC updates these figures annually to account for inflation, and the current thresholds apply to all 2026 applications. 📈

It is crucial to remember that this income typically must be earned inside Canada. However, under the Parental Income Supplement rules that came into effect on March 31, 2026, the regular, documented income of your visiting parents or grandparents (such as pensions or investments) can now be added to cover a shortfall, provided the Canadian host meets a required minimum percentage of the LICO threshold. Otherwise, undocumented foreign wealth or general savings usually do not count toward the Canadian LICO requirement.

Step-by-Step Process in Canada: Calculating and Proving Your Income

Many applications are delayed or refused because the sponsor simply miscalculated their family size or forgot to include a standard document. Following a clear, systematic approach ensures you present a flawless financial profile to the immigration officer. Here is how most applicants successfully tackle the income requirements. 🧱

Step 1: Calculating Your Total Family Size

Your family size dictates which LICO number you need to reach. You generally need to count everyone who relies on your income. This includes yourself, your spouse or common-law partner, and all your dependent children. Then, you must add the parents or grandparents you are inviting. For example, if you are married with one child and are inviting both of your parents, your total family size is five. You would typically need to show a minimum income of $64,336 CAD.

Step 2: Gathering the Right Income Documents (NOA)

To prove you meet the Super Visa minimum income requirement, you cannot simply show a large bank account balance. IRCC prefers to see stable, taxable Canadian income. The absolute best document to provide is generally your Notice of Assessment (NOA) or T4 slip from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for either of the two taxation years preceding your application date. You can easily print this by logging into your CRA My Account. It is also wise to include recent pay stubs and an employment letter stating your salary and hiring date.

Step 3: Purchasing Valid Medical Insurance

Even if you comfortably meet the LICO, the visa will usually not be approved without proof of private medical insurance. Your parents are required to have at least $100,000 CAD in health coverage valid for at least one year. As of recent updates, IRCC allows you to buy this from Canadian insurance companies or from foreign insurers that are federally approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI). This insurance should be purchased before you submit the application.

How Much Does the Super Visa Process Cost?

Beyond simply proving you have the required income, you should also have enough liquid cash to pay for the actual application process and mandatory third-party services. Budgeting for these expenses early on will save you from financial stress later. 💵

• Government Application Fee: $100 CAD per parent or grandparent.
• Biometrics Fee: $85 CAD per person (or $170 CAD maximum per family).
• Immigration Medical Exam: Usually between $150 and $300 CAD, paid directly to the approved panel physician in your parent’s home country.
• Private Health Insurance: This is the largest expense. A one-year policy typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000+ CAD per person, depending heavily on their age and pre-existing medical conditions.

How Long Does the Process Take?

The timeline for bringing your parents to Canada depends on the country they are applying from and the current volume of applications at the local visa office. ⏳

Generally, processing times range from 4 to 12 weeks, but complex cases can take several months. Gathering your Notice of Assessment and purchasing the required health insurance usually takes a week or two on your end. Once the application is submitted online, the timeline officially begins after your parents provide their fingerprints and undergo their mandatory medical exam.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Author: lawyerinfo.ca