Canada welcomes your parents too, but read this first
You are a permanent resident of Canada now, but would like to bring along your parents with you. Understand that the responsibility gets doubled financially. Having said that, the income requirement varies depending on the number of family members you wish to support. It also depends on the location of the sponsorer.
So, what is the minimum necessary income for parents and grandparents sponsorship?
A sponsorer will be eligible for taking the responsibility of their parents only if he exceeds the MNI for three consecutive taxation years, with the exception of Quebec region. This requirement ensures that the sponsorer is capable enough to take the responsibility of his parents and grandparents, including their medical liabilities, which might include elderly care.
Given below is a chart that provides the income cut-off to be eligible for sponsoring parents and grandparents. These are referred to as Minimum Necessary Income (MNI). The cut off provided below are Low Income Cut-off (LICO), plus 30%.
| Size of Family Unit | MNI- 2018 |
| 2 persons | $40,379 |
| 3 persons | $49,641 |
| 4 persons | $60,271 |
| 5 persons | $68,358 |
| 6 persons | $77,095 |
| 7 persons | $85,835 |
| Each additional person | $8,740 |
It is mandatory for sponsors to provide their notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the last 3 taxation years before applying. In case the applicants, while applying in 2018, do not have the 2018 Notice of Assessment, they should be submitting 2017, 2016 and 2015 assessment.
Low-income cut off
| Size of Family Unit | Minimum necessary gross income |
| 1 person (your child or grandchild) | $24,949 |
| 2 persons | $31,061 |
| 3 persons | $38,185 |
| 4 persons | $46,362 |
| 5 persons | $52,583 |
| 6 persons | $59,304 |
| 7 persons | $66,027 |
| More than 7 persons, for each additional person, add | $6,723 |
Basic eligibility criteria for sponsors for Inviting your Parents to Canada
- You are 18 years and above
- You are a permanent resident of Canada, a Canadian, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
- You have sufficient money to support the persons you want to sponsor
- To show that you have sufficient finances, you will have to provide your proof of income.
- One has to sign an undertaking suggesting that he/she will be able to take care of the family members for 20 years, starting from the time when they become permanent residents.
- Repaying any of the provincial assistance the sponsored family members get during their residence.
- You will also have to sign an agreement stating that you will be able to take care of the family’s basic needs.
- And that the person you sponsor will make every effort to support themselves and the family members.