Family Sponsorship Income Requirements Canada 2026

Use our LICO calculator to see if your income meets the threshold to sponsor parents, grandparents, or other relatives to Canada.

LICO Income Calculator for Family Sponsorship

For parents/grandparents sponsorship, your income must meet LICO + 30% for the past 3 consecutive tax years. Enter your details below:

Current household size (you + people already in Canada): Number of people you want to sponsor (parents/grandparents): Your annual income (from Notice of Assessment, line 15000):

LICO Thresholds for Family Sponsorship 2026

The Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) is a Statistics Canada measure of income thresholds. For parents and grandparents sponsorship, IRCC requires your income to be at least LICO + 30% for each of the 3 years before you apply. The table below shows approximate required minimum income for urban areas:

Household Size (you + sponsored)	LICO (approx)	Required (LICO +30%)
2 persons	$26,620	$34,606
3 persons	$33,124	$43,061
4 persons	$40,726	$52,944
5 persons	$49,445	$64,279
6 persons	$56,104	$72,935
7 persons	$63,276	$82,259
Each additional	+$7,175	+$9,328

3-year requirement: For the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), you must prove your income met LICO + 30% for the past 3 consecutive tax years. All three years must qualify — one strong year and two weak years will not meet the requirement.

What Income Counts?

IRCC uses your total income from line 15000 of your Notice of Assessment (NOA). This includes:

Employment income (T4 wages and salaries)
Self-employment income (net business income)
CPP/OAS benefits
Employment Insurance benefits
Rental income
Investment income (dividends, capital gains)

Your co-signer's income can be combined with yours if you have one. Social assistance income generally does not count and may disqualify you entirely.

Spouses and Co-Signers

If your income alone does not meet the LICO + 30% threshold, you may add a co-signer. A co-signer must:

Be your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada
Also sign the undertaking and share the financial responsibility
Also meet the 3-year income requirement when combined with yours

Application Fees for Parents and Grandparents 2026

Sponsorship application fee: $75 per sponsor
Principal applicant processing fee: $1,040 per adult being sponsored
Right of Permanent Residence Fee: $515 per adult
Biometrics: $85 per person, max $170 per family
Medical exam: $200–$350 per person

The Super Visa: An Alternative While Waiting

The PGP lottery is highly competitive — many applicants wait years for an invitation. In the meantime, parents and grandparents can visit Canada on a Super Visa for up to 5 years at a time. The Super Visa has its own income requirements (LICO + 30%) and requires the child/grandchild in Canada to show they meet the threshold. See our dedicated Super Visa finances guide for details.

Financial Planning for Sponsors

Sponsoring parents or grandparents means a 20-year undertaking (from the date they become PR). During this period:

You are responsible for ensuring they do not need social assistance
If they do receive government assistance, the government can recover costs from you
You should plan for potential healthcare costs not covered by provincial health insurance in the first waiting period (typically 3 months)
Budget for supplemental health insurance for the waiting period

🇨🇦 Bank Account for New Canadians — No Credit History Needed

KOHO opens instantly for newcomers and immigrants to Canada — no credit check, no minimum balance, no monthly fees. Start banking in Canada from day one.

Open KOHO Free — Code 45ET55JSYA

Disclaimer: This page provides general financial information only. It is not immigration legal advice — consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for immigration guidance specific to your situation. LICO values are approximate and updated annually by Statistics Canada.