What Is Minimum Necessary Income for Sponsorship in Canada

If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident looking to sponsor a family member to come live in Canada, one of the essential requirements is meeting the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) criteria. The MNI is the minimum income a sponsor needs to prove they can financially support their sponsored family member(s) and any dependents currently living in Canada.

This article will cover everything you need to know about the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), including how it’s calculated, the requirements for sponsorship, and details about the application process.

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a citizen or permanent resident can be deemed eligible to sponsor one or more family members if they meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) required by their family size. The family unit size includes those they currently support in Canada and those they intend to sponsor.

Suppose a person is applying to sponsor their parent(s) or grandparent(s). In that case, the person must prove that they have exceeded the low-income cut-off for three consecutive years and sign an undertaking promising to repay any government assistance received by these family members.

Federal Minimum Necessary Income for Sponsorship

Sponsors living anywhere in Canada except the province of Quebec must meet or exceed the minimum income requirements depending on their family size.

Minimum Necessary Income (MNI)

The MNI is updated annually. It applies to all relevant sponsorship programs for sponsors living in Canada but outside of the province of Quebec, who must provide their Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to prove they meet income requirements set out by Citizenship and Immigration Canada—the federal department that administers these laws:

Quebec Minimum Necessary Income for Sponsorship

The minimum income standard in Quebec varies from its federal counterpart, as applicants must calculate the basic income needed for the sponsor’s own family’s basic needs, as well as the needs of the sponsored individual(s) and their family members, even if they are not accompanying the sponsored persons.

How to Calculate Family Unit Size

The low-income cut-off will be determined by the size of your family unit in Canada and the individuals you wish to sponsor in Canada. To calculate the size of your family unit, you must count the following:

• Yourself
• Your spouse or common-law partner
• Your dependent children, if any

and

• The number of persons you are applying to sponsor
• The number of dependent family members of that person, whether or not they are accompanying them
• The number of persons currently covered by valid undertakings that you have signed or co-signed in the past
• The number of persons currently covered by reasonable undertakings that your co-signed has signed or co-signed in the past

MNI Calculation

The MNI is calculated by considering several factors, such as the size of the family unit, the number of dependents, and the sponsor’s geographic location. The MNI is updated annually and varies according to the changes in the cost of living.

The MNI rates for different family sizes are adjusted annually by the government. For example, in 2021, the MNI for a family unit of two was $32,899, while the MNI for a family of four was $51,606.

Sponsorship Requirements

To be eligible to sponsor a family member, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident over 18. Additionally, it would be best if you met specific eligibility criteria, such as having no criminal record and not being in default of a previous sponsorship agreement.

MNI is essential for several sponsorship programs, including the Spouse, Partner, and Children sponsorship program and the Parent and Grandparent sponsorship program. Additionally, sponsors must meet additional financial requirements, such as having sufficient income, assets, and a stable employment history.

MNI Application Details

To demonstrate that you meet the MNI requirement, you must provide financial documents, such as your Notice of Assessment (NOA) for the last three years, your T4 tax slip, and pay stubs. Additionally, if you are self-employed, you must provide a Notice of Assessment for the previous three years, your business license, and your business registration.

It’s essential to meet the MNI requirement when submitting a sponsorship application because the government will not approve it if the sponsor fails to meet the MNI. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the specific MNI requirements for the sponsorship program you’re applying for and ensure that you meet the financial criteria.

Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents

Suppose you sponsor your parent(s) or grandparent(s). In that case, you must exceed the low-income cut-off for three consecutive years and sign an undertaking promising to repay any government assistance these family members receive.

The three-year income test ensures that the sponsor has the financial means to support their parents or grandparents without requiring government assistance. The sponsor must provide documents that prove they met the income requirement for the past three taxation years.

Conclusion

Meeting the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement is a critical aspect of the sponsorship application process in Canada. Understanding the MNI calculation, sponsorship requirements, and application details is crucial to approve your sponsorship application. You can help bring your loved ones to Canada and reunite with them by meeting the MNI requirement and other eligibility criteria.