Minimum Necessary Income to Sponsor a Spouse in Canada: What IRCC Actually Requires (2026)

For most sponsors, there is no minimum necessary income to sponsor a spouse in Canada.

IRCC only requires proof of income in specific situations involving dependent children who have

children of their own. In all other cases, you do not need to meet a dollar threshold or a LICO

figure to bring your spouse or partner to Canada.

When Is There No Income Requirement?

The income requirement does not apply to the vast majority of spousal sponsorships. You do not

need to demonstrate any minimum income when:

• You are sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner who has no dependent

  children

• You are sponsoring a spouse or partner who has dependent children, and those children do not

  have children of their own

• You are sponsoring a dependent child who has no children of their own

In these situations, IRCC does not require you to file a financial evaluation form or meet a LICO

threshold. Instead, you must:

1. Not be receiving social assistance (other than for a disability)

2. Sign a 3-year undertaking agreeing to financially support your sponsored spouse or partner

3. Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old, and living in Canada

4. Meet the other standard eligibility requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection

   Act

If you have questions about whether your specific situation qualifies, Amir Ansari, RCIC is available to review your circumstances. Book a consultation to get a clear picture of your eligibility before you apply.

When IS Minimum Necessary Income Required to Sponsor a Spouse?

The minimum necessary income to sponsor a spouse in Canada applies in two specific

situations:

1. You are sponsoring a spouse or partner whose dependent child has one or more dependent

   children of their own (a grandchild is part of the sponsored household)

2. You are sponsoring a dependent child who has one or more dependent children of their own

In either case, you must complete the Financial Evaluation Form (IMM 1283), which uses

Statistics Canada's Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) to calculate the income you need based on your

family size. If you do not have enough income on your own, your spouse or common-law partner

can co-sign the undertaking to combine your incomes.

What About Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents?

The rules are much stricter for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Sponsors must

meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), which equals the LICO for their family size plus

30%, for each of the three tax years before they apply.

For the 2025 PGP intake (based on 2024 tax year income), the MNI thresholds are:

Family size	Minimum necessary income (2024 tax year)
2 people	$47,549
3 people	$58,456
4 people	$70,972
5 people	$80,496
6 people	$90,784
7 people	$101,075
Each additional person	+ $10,291

IRCC updates these figures annually. If you are planning a PGP application for the next intake,

confirm the current thresholds on the official IRCC website before filing.

For a full overview of your family sponsorship options, including spousal sponsorship and parent

sponsorship, visit Ansari Immigration's family sponsorship page. If you are also exploring a

pathway to permanent residence through other routes, Amir can help you compare your options.

A Note for Sponsors in Quebec

If you live in Quebec, both the provincial and federal income rules apply. Quebec's Ministere de

l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Integration (MIFI) has its own income requirements and

undertaking process. As of June 2026, MIFI has temporarily paused undertaking applications for

sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child aged 18 or

older until June 25, 2026. If you are in Quebec, confirm the current status on the MIFI website

before submitting your federal application.

Frequently Asked Questions About Minimum Necessary Income to Sponsor a Spouse in Canada

How much income do I need to sponsor my spouse in Canada?

In most cases, no specific income amount is required. As long as you are not on social

assistance (other than disability) and meet the other eligibility criteria, you can sponsor your

spouse regardless of your income level. A financial threshold only applies when the sponsored

household includes grandchildren.

What is the minimum necessary income to sponsor a spouse in Canada?

For most sponsorships, there is no minimum necessary income. The MNI concept applies to

sponsoring parents and grandparents (LICO + 30%) and to the narrow exceptions described

above (sponsoring a household that includes grandchildren).

Do I need to complete Form IMM 1283 when sponsoring my spouse?

Only if your spouse or partner has a dependent child who also has their own dependent children.

In all other cases, the Financial Evaluation Form (IMM 1283) is not required.

Can I sponsor my spouse if I have a low income?

Yes, in most cases. There is no minimum dollar amount required for spousal sponsorship in

Canada, provided you are not receiving social assistance and can sign the 3-year undertaking.

Income only becomes a factor when grandchildren are part of the sponsored household.

What is the income requirement to sponsor parents in Canada in 2026?

For the PGP, you must meet LICO + 30% (MNI) for three consecutive tax years. Using 2024 tax

year data, the MNI starts at $47,549 for a family of two and rises by approximately $10,000 for

each additional family member. See the table above for full figures.

If you are planning a family sponsorship application and are unsure whether your situation triggers the income requirement, Amir Ansari, RCIC can give you a clear answer based on your specific file. Book a consultation here before you apply.

For the full process, see spousal sponsorship in Canada explained.

This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Program criteria, requirements, processing

times, and selection approaches can change without notice. Always confirm details on official government

websites or consult a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for advice specific to your

situation.

Related guide: how long common-law status takes in Canada for sponsorship