Planning to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada for an extended stay? The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa that allows visits of up to five years at a time. The income test is the part where most families run into trouble, so this guide uses IRCC's published figures only. No estimates.

What Is the Minimum Necessary Income (LICO) for a Super Visa

The Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) is the least gross income the host (the child or grandchild in Canada) must have to support visiting parents or grandparents. It is based on Statistics Canada's Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), which is why many people still call it the "LICO table." IRCC publishes the figures by family size and revises them periodically, so always check the live IRCC page on the day you file.

The host must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian, at least 18 years old, and living in Canada. The host also signs a letter of invitation that includes proof of meeting the MNI.

Official Super Visa Income Table (IRCC, Updated July 29, 2025)

Effective date: IRCC's table is dated July 29, 2025. It was still the table displayed on IRCC's Proof of financial support page when we checked on October 7, 2026. It replaces the lower figures that circulated before July 2025.

Column 2 is IRCC's published table. Column 3 is our own arithmetic (75% of column 2) and is not an IRCC-published figure. Example for 8 people: $80,784 + $8,224 = $89,008.

Note: You may see articles describing the Super Visa threshold as "LICO plus 30%." That uplift belongs to the PGP sponsorship test, not the Super Visa. For the Super Visa, assess against the published table above.

How to Calculate Your Family Size for LICO

IRCC counts the following people. Many applicants undercount here.

• The invited parents or grandparents (every Super Visa applicant the host is supporting)
• The host child or grandchild
• The host's spouse or common-law partner, which can include a separated spouse
• Dependent children of the host and of their spouse or partner, regardless of custody or child support arrangements
• Previously approved Super Visa applicants under another still-applicable letter of invitation signed by the host or their spouse (counted even if not currently in Canada)
• Individuals the host or co-signer previously sponsored (or co-signed for), where the undertaking is still in effect

Example 1: family of 6. One host child + two invited parents + a spouse + two dependent children = 6. The host needs $72,560.

Example 2: family of 5. One host child + two invited parents + two children from a shared-custody arrangement = 5. The host needs $64,336.

Two Ways to Prove Income (In Effect Since March 31, 2026)

IRCC now accepts income proof under either of two options. Both use the same MNI table above.

Option 1: Meet the full amount in either of the last two tax years

The host's total income (including the co-signer's, if there is one) must meet or exceed the MNI in either of the 2 tax years before the application is submitted. A single weaker year no longer sinks an application if the other year qualifies. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment is required for this option.

Option 2: Reach 75% in the last tax year, then add the parent's or grandparent's income

The host's total income (including the co-signer's) in the year before the application must be at least 75% of the MNI. The visiting parent or grandparent can then add their own income to cover the remaining amount. The combined total must meet or exceed the MNI.

Worked example: A host with a spouse and two invited parents has a family size of 4, so the MNI is $56,724. The host earned $45,000 last year, which is above the 75% threshold of $42,543. The parents must show at least $11,724 of their own income to reach the full amount. The parent's income must be backed by proof that it will continue while they are in Canada, and the documents must show the currency in which they are paid.

Documents to Prove Income

For the host or co-signer

• CRA Notice of Assessment (NOA): IRCC's preferred document
• If no NOA is available, any of: T4 or T1 for the last tax year; pay stubs for the most recent 12 months; an original employer letter stating job title, job description and salary; bank statements from the last calendar year showing investment income or regular employment or pension deposits; other income proof such as pension statements or rental contracts with proof of ownership

For a parent or grandparent adding their income (Option 2)

• Pay stubs for the most recent 12 months, an original employer letter, bank statements from the last calendar year showing regular deposits or investment income, or pension statements and rental documents
• Proof that the income will continue during the stay in Canada, showing the currency paid

Co-signers: Only the host's spouse or common-law partner can co-sign the letter of invitation (and they must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian). Siblings and other relatives cannot.

Self-employed hosts: Start with the NOA. If it is unavailable, IRCC accepts the alternative documents above. Officers may ask for more, so prepare business bank statements and tax filings as support.

Other Super Visa Requirements

Income is only one part of the file. IRCC also requires:

• Letter of invitation signed by the host, listing every person in the family-size count with name and date of birth
• Proof of relationship (host's birth or baptismal certificate, or another official document naming you as parent or grandparent)
• Immigration medical exam with an approved panel physician
• Private health insurance that:
  • provides at least $100,000 in emergency coverage
  • covers health care, hospitalization and repatriation
  • is valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry and on each entry to Canada
  • is paid in full or in instalments with a deposit (quotes are not accepted)
  • comes from a Canadian insurer, or from a foreign insurer authorized by OSFI that issued the policy while doing insurance business in Canada
• The applicant must be outside Canada when applying and must satisfy the general visitor conditions, including ties to the home country

Common Mistakes That Lead to Refusals

• Miscounting family size (leaving out dependents under shared custody, a separated spouse, or previously approved Super Visa holders)
• Using an outdated income table instead of the one on IRCC's website on the filing date
• Submitting a letter of invitation without the names and dates of birth of everyone in the count
• Claiming Option 2 without proof that the host reached 75%, or without proof that the parent's income continues in Canada
• Listing a sibling or other relative as co-signer
• Submitting an insurance quote instead of a paid policy, or a policy that does not cover a full year
• Ignoring side income that could close a gap (rental, pension or investment income with documentation)

Super Visa vs. Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

IRCC announced on July 15, 2026 that it is pausing new PGP intake, with no reopening date given. Existing applications continue to be processed. For families that want parents or grandparents in Canada for longer than six months, the Super Visa remains open to new applications and allows stays of up to five years per visit. The Super Visa is a temporary visa, not a path to permanent residence. For the full comparison, read our Super Visa vs. PGP guide.

Expert RCIC Tips

1. Count family size line by line using IRCC's list, and write that list into the letter of invitation.
2. Pull both of the last two NOAs and check which year qualifies under Option 1.
3. If neither year reaches the full amount, test whether last year reaches 75% and what the parent's documented income adds.
4. Confirm the MNI table on IRCC's page on the day you file, because IRCC can revise it.
5. Buy a compliant policy (at least $100,000, 12 months, paid or deposit made) before submitting.
6. Submit a complete application the first time. Gaps trigger refusals and delays.

Not sure which option fits your income? Book a consultation with our RCIC team and we will review your NOAs before you apply.