Super Visa Income Requirements (LICO) for 2026
To sponsor a parent or grandparent on a Canadian super visa, you must meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) threshold for your household size. As of March 31, 2026, IRCC eased the rules: you can now qualify using income from eitherof the two most recent tax years, and your parent's own Canadian income can help top up the total.
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Our free eligibility wizard walks you through household size, income, and the new 2026 rules.
Check Eligibility FreeMNI Thresholds — effective July 29, 2025
These are the minimum gross income amounts required to sponsor a super visa, based on household size. Household size includes you, your dependents, and the parent(s) or grandparent(s) being sponsored.
| Household Size | Minimum Gross Income | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | $38,002 | $3,167/month |
| 3 people | $46,720 | $3,893/month |
| 4 people | $56,724 | $4,727/month |
| 5 people | $64,336 | $5,361/month |
| 6 people | $72,560 | $6,047/month |
| 7+ people | $80,784 | $6,732/month |
Source: canada.ca — IRCC host financial support (MNI table) — checked June 24, 2026
March 2026 Changes: What Actually Changed
The new rules are more flexible, not stricter
Many sites describe the March 31, 2026 changes as a new two-year requirement that makes qualifying harder. That's wrong. The change gives you more flexibility: you can now use whichever of your two most recent tax years shows the higher income.
Change 1: Two-year lookback window — pick either year
Previously, IRCC looked only at your income from the most recent tax year. If that year was low (due to a job change, parental leave, or anything else), you might not qualify even if the prior year was fine.
Now you can qualify using income from either of the two taxation years before your application date. If 2024 is stronger than 2025, use 2024. You do not need to meet the threshold in both years.
Example
Household of 4: yourself, spouse, one child, one parent. MNI = $56,724. Your 2024 income was $58,000 but 2025 dropped to $48,000 due to a job change. Under the old rules you would not qualify. Under the new rules you can use 2024 and you are eligible.
Source: canada.ca — IRCC: Changes to income requirement for super visa (March 20, 2026) — checked June 24, 2026
Change 2: Parent income can supplement the host's income
If your income falls slightly short of the LICO threshold, your visiting parent or grandparent's own Canadian income can now be added to close the gap.
Important: the host must independently meet at least 75% of the threshold first
Your parent's Canadian income can only count after your own income already covers at least 75% of the MNI threshold. If your income is below that 75% floor, the parent supplement option does not apply.
- Only Canadian-source income qualifies (income earned in the home country does not count)
- The income must be verifiable through the CRA
- This supplements the host's income, not replaces it
Do Not Use the PR Sponsorship Threshold
A common error: using $47,549 instead of $38,002 for a household of 2
The $47,549 figure is the Minimum Necessary Income for the permanent residence parents and grandparents sponsorship (PGP) stream — a different program. It uses LICO plus a 25% premium. The super visa uses straight LICO only, with no premium added.
| Program | Threshold for Household of 2 | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Super Visa (this page) | $38,002 | Straight LICO |
| PR Sponsorship (PGP stream) | $47,549 | LICO + 25% |
Immigration forums and some broker sites show the $47,549 figure in the context of the super visa. It is not correct for this program. If you have been comparing against that number and come up short, check the table above — you may qualify.
More on this common errorHow Household Size Is Calculated
Your household size includes:
- You (the sponsor/host)
- Your spouse or common-law partner (if applicable)
- Your dependent children
- Any other dependents you've previously sponsored who haven't yet become citizens
- The parent(s) or grandparent(s) you are inviting
Example: You and your spouse live with 2 children and want to bring both parents. Household size = 2 (you + spouse) + 2 (children) + 2 (parents) = 6. You need at least $72,560.
What If You Still Don't Meet the Requirement?
- Use your better year: Check both 2024 and 2025 NOAs. You only need to meet the threshold in one of the two years.
- Co-signer: A spouse or common-law partner can co-sign, combining your incomes toward the threshold.
- Parent supplementation: If your parent has Canadian income, this may now count — subject to the unpublished minimum percentage rule. Check canada.ca for current guidance before applying.
- Regular visitor visa: A standard TRV has no income requirement, but allows shorter stays and fewer re-entry rights.
Insurance Requirement (Unchanged)
The March 2026 changes are income-only. The insurance requirements have not changed: your parent needs a minimum of $100,000 in medical coverage from an IRCC-compliant insurer, valid for at least one year from the date of entry, covering healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation. The policy must be paid — a quote is not accepted.
As of January 28, 2025, coverage can come from certain non-Canadian insurers (those authorized by OSFI under the Insurance Companies Act). In practice, most foreign domestic insurers do not qualify. Canadian insurers remain the safest and most straightforward option.
Read: What the 2025 foreign insurer rule means for youCheck Your Eligibility Now
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