How do I calculate my family size to sponsor my parents and grandparents?
You, the sponsor (and your co-signer, if applicable), must prove that you have enough income to support all the people you’ll be financially responsible for once you become a sponsor. We call this your “family size”, which is the number of people you’ll be responsible for.
To calculate your family size, include:
- yourself
- your spouse or common-law partner (who could also be your co-signer)
- your dependent children
- only include your children if they meet the definition of a dependent child
- for young children, only include them starting on the year they were born (see example 2)
- your spouse’s or partner’s dependent children
- only include children who meet the definition of a dependent child
- for young children, only include them starting on the year they were born (see example 2)
- any other person you (and your co-signer, if applicable) may have sponsored in the past, for whom you’re still financially responsible
- the parents and grandparents you want to sponsor and their dependants (spouse or partner and dependent children). You must also include
- any dependent children who won’t come to Canada with your parents or grandparents
- your parent or grandparent’s spouse or partner, even if they won’t come to Canada
- your parent or grandparents’ separated spouse
Here are examples to help you calculate your family size.
Example 1
Julie is sponsoring her mother and stepfather. Julie’s husband, David, will help her meet the income requirement by co-signing the application. Julie and David have 2 young children, aged 5 and 7. Julie’s stepfather has a 15 year old daughter, Dahlia. Dahlia won’t immigrate to Canada with her father.
Julie’s family size is 7:
- Julie
- her husband, David
- her 2 children
- her mother and stepfather
- her stepfather’s daughter, Dahlia
- because Dahlia qualifies as a dependent child, she’s included in the family size, even if she’s not immigrating to Canada
Before Julie submits her interest to sponsor form, Julie and her husband must:
- check the income table to see what the income requirements are for 7 persons
- check their tax information from the last 3 years and make sure that, together, they meet the minimum income requirements for each of the last 3 years
Example 2
Juan and Lise had a baby in 2019. Juan wants to sponsor his mother. Lise won’t co-sign the application. Juan’s mother doesn’t have a spouse, partner or any dependent children.
For 2019 and 2020, Juan’s family size is 4:
- Juan
- his partner, Lise
- his baby
- his mother
For 2019 and 2020, Juan must check if he meets the income requirement for 4 persons.
For 2018, Juan’s family size was 3:
- Because Juan’s baby wasn’t born yet, the baby is not included for that year.
For 2018, Juan must check if he meets the income requirements for 3 persons.
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