Family sponsorship income requirements have been updated for 2025, with new Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) thresholds that sponsors must meet. Understanding these requirements is crucial for successfully sponsoring your family members to Canada.
Key Changes for 2025
- LICO thresholds increased by 3.2% to reflect cost of living adjustments
- Enhanced documentation requirements for income verification
- Clearer guidelines for co-signer income inclusion
Income Requirements by Sponsorship Category
Spouse/Partner & Dependent Children
No minimum income requirement
Important Notes:
- Quebec residents must meet provincial requirements
- Must not be receiving social assistance (except disability)
Parents & Grandparents
Must meet LICO + 30% for 3 consecutive years
Important Notes:
- Income must be from Canadian sources
- Co-signer income can be included
Other Eligible Relatives
Must meet basic LICO requirements
Important Notes:
- Rare circumstances only
- Must have no other family to sponsor
2025 LICO Thresholds
| Family Size | Basic LICO | PGP (LICO + 30%) | Increase from 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $30,625 | $39,813 | +3.2% |
| 2 persons | $38,137 | $49,578 | +3.2% |
| 3 persons | $46,886 | $60,952 | +3.2% |
| 4 persons | $56,926 | $74,004 | +3.2% |
| 5 persons | $64,570 | $83,941 | +3.2% |
| 6 persons | $72,814 | $94,658 | +3.2% |
| 7 persons | $81,058 | $105,375 | +3.2% |
How to Calculate Your Family Size
Include: Yourself + spouse/partner + dependent children + person(s) you're sponsoring + their dependent children
Example: You (1) + spouse (1) + your child (1) + parent you're sponsoring (1) = Family size of 4
Income Calculation and Documentation Tips
Include All Income Sources
Employment income, self-employment, rental income, investment income, and pension income all count toward meeting requirements.
Required Documents:
- Notice of Assessment (NOA) for 3 years
- T4, T4A, T5 slips
- Employment letters
Understand Family Size Calculation
Include yourself, spouse/partner, dependent children, and the person(s) you're sponsoring in the family size calculation.
Required Documents:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificate
- Proof of dependency
Plan for Income Fluctuations
If your income varies, ensure you meet requirements consistently. Consider adding a co-signer if needed.
Required Documents:
- Co-signer agreement
- Co-signer income documents
- Explanation letter for income changes
Common Income Calculation Mistakes
Using Gross vs Net Income
IRCC uses total income before taxes (Line 15000 on tax return), not take-home pay.
Solution: Always refer to Line 15000 on your Notice of Assessment
Incorrect Family Size Calculation
Forgetting to include all family members or sponsored persons in the calculation.
Solution: Double-check family size includes everyone as per IRCC guidelines
Missing Required Years
For PGP, you need 3 consecutive years of meeting income requirements, not just current year.
Solution: Ensure you have NOAs for all 3 required tax years
Special Circumstances and Exceptions
There are several special circumstances that may affect income requirements or provide exceptions to the standard rules:
Quebec Residents
- • Must meet Quebec's financial requirements
- • Different income thresholds apply
- • Must sign Quebec undertaking
Co-signer Options
- • Spouse/partner can be co-signer
- • Combined income counts toward requirements
- • Both must sign undertaking
Social Assistance Recipients
- • Cannot sponsor if receiving social assistance
- • Exception: disability-related assistance
- • Must be off assistance before applying
Self-Employed Sponsors
- • Must provide additional documentation
- • Business financial statements required
- • Income stability assessment
Planning Your Sponsorship Application
Successful family sponsorship requires careful financial planning and documentation. Here's a step-by-step approach to ensure you meet all income requirements:
Pre-Application Checklist:
- 1Calculate your exact family size including all persons to be sponsored
- 2Gather 3 years of Notice of Assessment (NOA) documents
- 3Verify your income meets the required threshold for your family size
- 4Consider adding a co-signer if income is borderline
- 5Prepare explanation letters for any income fluctuations or gaps
Need Help with Family Sponsorship Income Planning?
Our licensed RCIC can help you understand income requirements, calculate your eligibility, and develop a strategy to meet sponsorship requirements.