Canada Raises Income Bar For Sponsoring Parents & Grandparents

Canada raises income bar for sponsoring parents & grandparents, i.e., Canadian citizens and permanent residents who want to have their parents and grandparents visit them on a Super Visa will now have to meet higher income requirements.

As of July 29, hosts under the Super Visa program must meet the following minimum income requirements based on the size of the family:

The host’s spouse or common-law partner can co-sign to combine incomes to meet this requirement.

Under the Super Visa program, parents or grandparents of eligible hosts can gain visitor status for up to ten years, and can stay in Canada for up to five years at a time.

How Is The Income Requirement Determined?

The minimum gross income is based on the federal government’s Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) criteria, which is adjusted annually.

This year, the increase was 3.9%.

How To Count The Number Of People In The Family?

As Canada raises income bar for sponsoring parents & grandparents, it is vital to note how one can count the number of people in the family.

According to IRCC’s definitions, the following members should be counted towards a sponsor’s family size when determining the appropriate minimum necessary gross income through the Super Visa program:

• The sponsor
• The sponsor’s spouse or common-law partner
• Dependent children of the host & of their spouse or common-law partner
• Children who meet the definition of a dependent child must be counted, irrespective of custody or child support arrangements
• The Super Visa applicant as well as any other Super Visa applicants applying at the same time
• Previously approved Super Visa applicants
• Previously sponsored individuals (people sponsored by the host or co-signer whose undertaking is still in effect)

How To Prove Income?

As proof of income, IRCC accepts the following documents:

• The most recent Notice of Assessment issued by the CRA, i.e., Canada Revenue Agency
• T4 or T1 forms of the latest tax year
• Pay stubs covering the most recent 12-month period
• Employment Insurance benefit statements
• A letter from an accountant confirming annual income
• Evidence of the income sources
• Bank statements
• A letter from the employer indicating job title, job description, and salary

What Is The Difference Between The Super Visa Program And The Parents And Grandparents Program?

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) as well as the super visa program differ significantly in both immigration outcomes and availability.

Successful PGP applicants obtain permanent residence (PR) status, allowing them to live in Canada indefinitely. Permanent residents may work or study without requiring a permit, and have the opportunity to qualify for health insurance in the province/ territory in which they settle.

On the contrary, super visa holders are granted visitor status for up to 10 years. They can stay in Canada for up to five years at a time, but are not authorized to work or study. In most cases, they will not be able to qualify for provincial/ territorial health insurance.

Availability also varies significantly. The PGP operates on a lottery system that opens once a year for a limited time and is currently sending invitations to apply only to those who submitted interest to sponsor forms in the 2020 intake pool.

The super visa, on the other hand, is available year-round, and eligible hosts and their relatives can apply directly at any time.

Palina Immigration Consultancy, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at Palinaimmigration.com.