When sponsoring family members, it’s imperative to demonstrate your financial capacity to support them. This financial responsibility encompasses both family members living with you and those you intend to sponsor. The term “Minimum Necessary Income” (MNI) is utilized by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assess the sponsor’s financial capability for supporting family members.
Minimum Necessary Income serves as an income threshold utilized by IRCC. It determines the eligibility of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor family members, including spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents. The MNI requirement is also influenced by the family size of the applicants for family sponsorship.
A family unit consists of members of the family residing in Canada, which includes the sponsors. The family unit comprises:
Proof of income via Notices of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency for the past three years serves as evidence for meeting MNI requirements. It’s important to note that the income requirement for 2020 has been adjusted due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, as announced by IRCC.
To sponsor parents and grandparents, one must surpass the MNI for the preceding three years. These eligibility criteria ensure that elderly or dependent family members receive adequate care and support during their stay in Canada. The charts below illustrate the different Low Income Cut-off (LICO) figures for sponsors (Table-1) and the corresponding Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) figures (Table-2). The MNI figure can be calculated by adding 30 percent of the Low Income Cut Off figures (LICO).
| Family unit size | Required basic annual income |
| 1 member | $25,921 |
| 2 members | $32,270 |
| 3 members | $39,762 |
| 4 members | $48,167 |
| 5 members | $54,630 |
| 6 members | $61,613 |
| 7 members | $68,598 |
| For additional person | $6985 |
| Family Unit Size | MNI 2020 | MNI 2019 | MNI 2019 |
| 2 members | $32,270 | $41,007 | $40,379 |
| 3 members | $39,672 | $50,414 | $49,641 |
| 4 members | $48,167 | $61,209 | $60,271 |
| 5 members | $54,630 | $69,423 | $68,358 |
| 6 members | $61,613 | $78,296 | $77,095 |
| Every additional member | $6985 | $8,876 | $8740 |
Calculating MNI takes into account the number of family members in a given year, considering the addition or loss of members. In cases where applicants find it challenging to meet MNI due to lower income levels, expert immigration consultants can propose solutions. Combining a spouse or common-law partner’s income to achieve the required MNI figure is one such solution.
When including your partner’s income for MNI calculation, it’s crucial to submit confirmation of common-law status. Additionally, the co-signer (partner) must meet all eligibility requirements and share financial responsibilities for the sponsored family members.
Canada places significant importance on sponsors’ financial obligations. Fulfilling all financial responsibility requirements is essential for family sponsorship. Enlisting the expertise of a knowledgeable immigration consultancy service can simplify the family sponsorship application process.
Vancouver Immigration Services Inc. offers expert consultations to facilitate family sponsorship. We provide tailored immigration solutions and guidance on various immigration pathways. Contact us today to expedite the sponsorship process and ensure your family’s successful reunification.
Schedule a meeting
Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.
Subscribe to our blog and get notified when we publish new posts.
757 W Hastings St #223, Vancouver, BC V6C 1T1
1 Elmhurst Ave, Toronto, On M2N 1R3, Canada
Immigration
Quick Links
#223-757 w Hastings St,vancover ,BC.V6c 1A1,Canada
1 Elmhurst Ave, Toronto, On M2N 1R3, Canada
