Maple News reports that the Government of Canada has increased the minimum income required for citizens and permanent residents sponsoring their parents or grandparents under the Super Visa program. Effective July 29, 2024, the updated financial thresholds reflect a 3.9% increase from the previous year, aligned with the annual adjustment of the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) established by the federal government.
The Super Visa allows eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian residents to stay in Canada for extended periods—up to five years at a time—within a 10-year multiple-entry timeframe. However, to qualify, the host must meet strict financial criteria to demonstrate they can adequately support their visiting family members.
For 2025, the new income requirement for a single-person household (only the sponsor) has been set at $30,526, up from $29,380 in 2024. For a household of four people, the requirement has risen to $56,724 from $54,594. These thresholds escalate with each additional household member. For example, sponsors supporting a household of seven people must now earn at least $80,784 annually. An additional $8,224 is required for each person beyond that.
Importantly, sponsors can include the income of their spouse or common-law partner by co-signing the application, which may help meet the threshold.
When calculating household size, IRCC requires sponsors to count all individuals financially dependent on them. This includes the sponsor, their spouse or common-law partner, all dependent children (regardless of custody or support arrangements), the parents or grandparents applying under the Super Visa, and any other individuals previously sponsored or included in valid Super Visa undertakings.
For instance, if a divorced mother with two dependent children wishes to invite her parents, she would need to count herself, her two children, and her two parents—totaling five people. She would therefore need to meet the minimum income threshold for a five-person household, which is $64,336 in 2025.
These changes reinforce Canada’s commitment to ensuring visiting family members are financially supported during extended stays. While the Super Visa remains an accessible pathway for family reunification, Maple News emphasizes that meeting the updated income requirements is now more critical than ever for a successful application.