To participate in certain family sponsorship programs, sponsors must meet a minimum income requirement to demonstrate their ability to support themselves, their family, and any family members they wish to sponsor. This income requirement is known as the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) and is used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assess the sponsor’s financial capacity.
Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for Family Sponsorship
- Requirement for family sponsorship programs.
- Assesses sponsor’s financial capacity.
- Federally required MNI adjusted annually.
Federally Required MNI for Sponsorship
- Depends on family unit size.
- Includes spouse, dependent children, other dependents.
- Proof from the most recent taxation year.
Minimum Income for Sponsorship in Quebec
- Quebec has its own criteria.
- Sponsors must meet MIFI requirements.
Determining Family Size
- Includes spouse, dependent children, other dependents.
- Varies based on program and IRCC/MIFI requirements.
Qualification for Family Sponsorship
- Citizen or permanent resident.
- Must satisfy MNI based on family unit size.
- Includes those sponsored in Canada.
- Demonstrates income above low income cut-off for three years.
MNI for Parents & Grandparents Sponsorship
Sponsors applying in 2023: Your child or grandchild may use the following income scale to assess their ability to meet the income requirements.
| Total number of persons | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| 2 people | $43,082 | $32,898 | $32,270 |
| 3 people | $52,965 | $40,444 | $39,672 |
| 4 people | $64,306 | $49,106 | $48,167 |
| 5 people | $72,935 | $55,694 | $54,630 |
| 6 people | $82,259 | $62,814 | $61,613 |
| 7 people | $91,582 | $69,934 | $68,598 |
| 8 people | $9,324 | $7,120 | $6,985 |
Minimum Income for Sponsorship in Quebec
Basic income required to meet your family’s needs
The amounts are in effect from January 1 to December 31, 2023. They are adjusted each January 1.
| Total number of members of your family (including yourself) |
Basic income required (Annual) |
| 1 Person | $26,877 |
| 2 Persons | $36,281 |
| 3 Persons | $44,793 |
| 4 Persons | $51,518 |
| 5 Persons | $57,337 |
Add $5,819 per additional person dependent.
Amounts required to meet the needs of the sponsored persons
The amounts are in effect from January 1 to December 31, 2023. They are adjusted each January 1.
This amount must allow consideration of the number of persons covered by your undertaking and their age.
| Number of persons age 18 or older |
Number of persons under age 18 |
Additional amount required |
| 0 | 1 | $9,303 |
| 0 | 2 | $14,744 |
Add $4,916 per additional person under age 18.
| Number of people age 18 or older |
Number of people under age 18 |
Additional gross annual amount required |
| 1 | 0 | $19,658 |
| 1 | 1 | $26,413 |
| 1 | 2 | $29,826 |
Add $3,409 per additional person under age 18.
| Number of persons age 18 or older |
Number of persons under age 18 |
Additional gross annual amount required |
| 2 | 0 | $28,829 |
| 2 | 1 | $32,294 |
| 2 | 2 | $34,863 |
Add $2,559 per person under age 18 and $9,164 per person age 18 or older.
How to Calculate Family Size?
The low income cut-off (LICO) will be determined by the number of your family members in Canada and the individuals you intend to sponsor to Canada.
- Count yourself, spouse, dependent children, and those you’re applying to sponsor.
- Include dependent family members of the person you’re sponsoring, whether accompanying or not.
Consider persons covered by your or your co-signer’s past valid undertakings
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