Financial Criteria for Family Sponsorship

Sponsoring a family member to come to Canada is an important pathway for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their loved ones. However, the government of Canada has established strict financial criteria for sponsors to ensure that the sponsored family members do not become a burden on the Canadian government. In this blog post, we will explore the financial criteria for sponsoring a family member in more detail.

Spouses or Common-Law Partners: To sponsor a spouse or common-law partner, the sponsor must meet the minimum necessary income level for their family size, as determined by the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) chart. The LICO chart is updated annually and varies depending on the size of the sponsor's family. For example, in 2021, the LICO for a family of two is $32,270 CAD, while the LICO for a family of four is $50,909 CAD. The sponsor must provide documentation to prove their income, such as tax returns, pay stubs, or employment letters.

Dependent Children: To sponsor a dependent child, the sponsor must demonstrate that they have sufficient income to support their own family and the dependent child being sponsored. The sponsor must also provide proof of their relationship to the child, such as a birth certificate or adoption papers. There are no specific income requirements for sponsoring dependent children, but the sponsor must show that they can financially support the child for a certain period of time.

Parents and Grandparents: To sponsor parents or grandparents, the sponsor must meet the minimum necessary income level for their family size, as determined by the LICO chart. In addition, the sponsor must provide proof of income for the three taxation years preceding the date of application. For example, in 2021, the minimum necessary income for a family of two is $32,270 CAD, while the minimum necessary income for a family of four is $50,909 CAD. The sponsor must also sign an undertaking to financially support the parents or grandparents for a certain period of time, which can range from three to twenty years depending on the age of the sponsored family member.

Other Eligible Relatives: To sponsor other eligible relatives, such as siblings, nieces, or nephews, the sponsor must meet the minimum necessary income level for their family size, as determined by the LICO chart. In addition, the sponsor must provide proof of income for the three taxation years preceding the date of application. The minimum necessary income varies depending on the number of family members being sponsored and the province or territory where the sponsor resides.

In addition to meeting the income requirements, the sponsor must also provide supporting documentation to prove their income and financial capacity to support the sponsored family member.

In conclusion, the financial criteria for sponsoring a family member in Canada are designed to ensure that the sponsored family member does not become a burden on the Canadian government. The government of Canada updates the LICO chart annually to reflect changes in the cost of living, and sponsors must provide proof of their income to demonstrate their ability to financially support the sponsored family member.

If you are interested in sponsoring a family member or have questions about the financial criteria, reach out to us so we can ensure you meet all of the requirements and have the best chance of success.