Changes in MNI for super visa

by Michael Scott

The sponsorship of parents and grandparents (PGP) remains one of the processing options in the family stream. However, since 2020, the PGP has not only been highly regulated and subject to strict guidelines but technically has not been open to new sponsorship submissions. IRCC has continued to limit invitations throughout 2020 to 2025 to the 203,213 unique online submissions entered in 2020. As of July 28, 2025, IRCC was still issuing invitations to sponsors from the 2020 pool, sending 17,860 invitations to invitees for the 2025 intake. To date there has been no indication that the PGP is going to invite sponsors in the existing inventory to apply in 2026 nor if they would consider opening sponsorship beyond the existing inventory. The remaining options for existing or prospective sponsors continues to be to invite parents and grandparents under the short-term temporary resident visa or the longer-term Super Visa option.

Sponsors must be at least 18 years old at the time they apply, live in Canada, have a primary address in Canada when they submit the online interest, be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or be registered under the Canadian Indian Act. Sponsors cannot be in jail, or prison of penitentiary at the time of submission, have defaulted on a previous sponsorship, owe money for an immigration loan or performance bond or court-ordered support payments, hold an undischarged bankruptcy, be in receipt of social assistance, other than disability, or are under a removal order or have serious criminal convictions or are legally not allowed to remain in Canada.

Under the super visa program, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who wants to bring their parent or grandparent to Canada must show that they meet a minimum income (MNI) threshold or LICO (low-income cutoff number). This is intended to demonstrate that they are financially able to support visiting family members during their stay in Canada. The LICO figures for 2025 reveal the minimum necessary income (MNI) required based on family size, including both the sponsor’s family and the parent or grandparent applicant abroad.

Canada is making it easier for families to qualify of the parent and grandparent super visa by changing how the MNI is calculated. Starting March 31, 2026, hosts will have more flexibility in how they can meet the financial requirements. Previously, hosts had to meet or exceed LICO for the most recent year in order to qualify for the super visa.

IRCC announced these changes in a statement published on March 21, 2026, entitled, Changes to how the parents and grandparents super visa income requirement is calculated. The example to consider is a family in Canada who have not qualified for a super visa based on the requirement for a F04 including the mother who lives alone in the Philippines. According to 2025 LICO numbers, they require a family income of $70,972 in 2024, $66,466 in 2023 and $64,306 in 2022.

Starting on March 31, 2026, the sponsoring couple may meet or exceed the MNI by meeting one of the two tax years preceding the time of application. Previously IRCC assessed only the year before. IRCC will also consider the addition of income from the visiting parent or grandparent to be added. In the case of the example given, the sponsor could meet $70,942 for 2024 or the lower income of $66,466 for 2023. As of March 31, all applications submitted on or after that date will be assessed against the new income requirements. Families will have to demonstrate that the meet the new requirements for calculating minimum necessary income.

It is important to remember that applicants must be outside of Canada at the time of the super visa submission. They will require a visa printed by a visa office outside of Canada and be admissible to Canada without criminality, security or medical admission challenges. Applicants need proof of private health insurance valid for a minimum of one year from a Canadian insurance provider approved by the minister for a minimum of one hundred thousand dollars (CAN) at the time of entry. Those who wish to benefit from the changes in the MNI calculation must submit the necessary documents proving that they meet the minimum income requirements. The change appears to be minor but can be difference for sponsor eligibility.

Michael Scott is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, R525678) who has 30 years of experience with Immigration Canada and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. He currently works as a licensed consultant with Immigration Connexion International Ltd. Contact him at 204-691-1166 or 204-227-0292. E-mail: mscott.ici@gmail.com.