Canadian Super Visa LICO Calculator
Verify if your Canadian sponsor's gross annual income meets the IRCC Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) criteria for your unit size.
100% LICO Threshold Required
Sponsors must exceed 100% of the LICO threshold calculated from total unit size, including the visiting parents.
75% Co-signing Option
If the sponsor meets 75% of the LICO, a spouse or the visiting parents' income can co-sign to bridge the gap.
Canadian sponsor + dependents + arriving parents/grandparents
As shown on line 15000 of your CRA Notice of Assessment
Only applicable if sponsor income meets the 75% minimum threshold
Sponsor income must be at least 75% of MNI threshold ($35,040) to unlock co-signing.
IRCC 2026 LICO Assessment
Income Requirement Not Met
Sponsor income is below the 75% co-signing baseline. Co-signing is not permitted. You need $35,040 more in sponsor income to qualify for co-signing, or $46,720 to qualify alone.
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2024–2025 LICO Thresholds for Super Visa (Largest Urban Areas)
Before-tax Statistics Canada thresholds for large urban areas (500,000+ population). The 2026 threshold will be published by Statistics Canada early in the year.
| Household Size | LICO 100% (sponsor alone) | 75% Co-sign Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | $33,123 | $24,842 |
| 3 persons | $40,714 | $30,536 |
| 4 persons | $49,456 | $37,092 |
| 5 persons | $56,106 | $42,080 |
| 6 persons | $63,276 | $47,457 |
| 7 persons | $70,444 | $52,833 |
| 8+ persons | +$7,168/person | +$5,376/person |
* Statistics Canada 2024 before-tax LICO for urban areas of 500,000+ population. 2026 figures will be updated upon official publication.
What Counts as Income for the Super Visa LICO
IRCC compares your gross world income to the LICO threshold. Here's what qualifies and what doesn't.
Employment income (T4)
Salary, wages, overtime. Verified by CRA NOA or recent pay stubs.
Self-employment income
Net self-employed or business income per CRA NOA.
Pension & retirement income
CPP/QPP, OAS, private pension plans, RRIF withdrawals.
Investment income
Dividends, interest, net rental income as reported to CRA.
Social assistance / provincial benefits
Generally not accepted as qualifying income by IRCC.
Unreceived RRSP / locked-in assets
Only actual RRSP withdrawals appearing on the NOA are counted.
How to Calculate Your Household Size for LICO
Your household size determines the LICO threshold you must meet. Include every person in this count.
- 1
Yourself (the sponsor)
Count yourself first. This is the starting point: 1 person.
- 2
Your spouse or partner (if applicable)
If you are married or in a common-law relationship, add your spouse: +1 person.
- 3
Your current dependants
Add all children or other dependants living with you: +1 per dependant.
- 4
The invited parents or grandparents
Add the number of parents or grandparents you are inviting: +1 per person invited.
- 5
Find the corresponding LICO threshold
Use your total to look up the LICO threshold in the table above or in the calculator. Your gross income must exceed that amount.
Common LICO Mistakes to Avoid
These mistakes can result in a Super Visa refusal due to insufficient income.
Forgetting to include invited parents in the household count
Household size must include the parents or grandparents you are inviting. Forgetting them understates the required threshold and may lead to refusal.
Using net income instead of gross income
IRCC compares your gross world income to the LICO threshold. Using your after-tax income can incorrectly make you appear below the threshold.
Submitting an outdated Notice of Assessment
IRCC typically requires the CRA Notice of Assessment from the most recent tax year. A document more than one year old may be rejected or require additional documentation.
Not accounting for variable self-employment income
Self-employed applicants with fluctuating income may struggle to prove stable earnings. Prepare 2–3 consecutive NOAs to strengthen your file.
Ignoring the 75% co-signing option
If you reach 75% of the threshold, a co-signer (spouse, visiting parents) can bridge the gap. Many applicants unnecessarily abandon applications without exploring this option.
Frequently Asked Questions — Super Visa LICO
Answers to the most common questions about the Super Visa LICO income requirement.
- What is the minimum income required for Super Visa in 2026?
- The Canadian sponsor must earn at least 100% of Statistics Canada's Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for the total household size, including the invited parents or grandparents. For example, for a 3-person unit in 2024/2025, the threshold was approximately $40,714. The 2026 thresholds will be published by Statistics Canada early in the year.
- How do I calculate my household size for Super Visa LICO?
- Household size includes: the Canadian sponsor + their spouse (if applicable) + current dependants + the invited parents/grandparents. For example, if you are married with one child and inviting 2 parents, your family unit is 5 people.
- What income does IRCC accept for the Super Visa LICO requirement?
- IRCC accepts gross world income from: employment (T4), self-employment, investments, pensions, and government benefits. Income is typically verified using the CRA Notice of Assessment (NOA) or a recent employment letter with recent pay stubs.
- Can I combine my income with my spouse to meet LICO?
- Yes. If the primary sponsor meets at least 75% of the required LICO threshold, the income of a spouse or the visiting parents/grandparents can co-sign to bridge the gap. Both incomes must be documented with CRA Notices of Assessment.
- What if my income is slightly below the LICO threshold?
- If you reach 75% of the threshold, a co-signer can bridge the gap. Otherwise, you may consider inviting one parent at a time (to reduce household size), delaying the application until after a raise, or obtaining an additional co-signer. Consult a licensed RCIC consultant for your specific situation.
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