How much income do I need to sponsor my parents and grandparents?

You, the sponsor (and your co-signer, if you have one) must prove you have enough income to support all the people you’ll be financially responsible for once you become a sponsor. This includes yourself.

If you’re invited to apply, you have to provide proof that you meet the income requirements for each of the 3 tax years before the date you apply.

We can’t assess whether you meet the income requirements until you apply (if you’re invited).

Note: Because the program has opened later than usual this year, sponsors will be invited to apply early in 2021. Because of this, we’ll assess sponsors on their income for tax years 2020, 2019 and 2018.

We know you may not get your 2020 Notice of Assessment (NOA) until after you apply. So, for the 2020 process, we’ll accept your application if you include your 2019 and 2018 NOAs along with it, and submit your 2020 NOA as soon as it’s available.

This table applies to you if you live in any province except Quebec. If you live in Quebec, the Quebec ministry in charge of immigration will assess your income.

Income required for the 3 tax years right before the day you apply (sponsors applying in 2021)

Since many sponsors may have been affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic, the income requirement for the 2020 tax year has been reduced to the minimum necessary income, instead of the minimum necessary income plus 30%.

Also, family class sponsors will be able to count these benefits in their income calculations for the 2020 tax year:

• regular Employment Insurance benefits (rather than just special Employment Insurance benefits)
• any Canada Emergency Response Benefits issued under the
  • Employment Insurance Act or
  • Canadian Emergency Response Benefit Act
• other temporary COVID-19 related benefits
  • as long as they’re not part of provincial social assistance programs

Note: This does not affect the income requirements for the 2019 and 2018 tax years.