LICO — Low-Income Cut-Off
Statistics Canada's annual measure of low income. Used by IRCC as the financial-eligibility threshold for Super Visa sponsorship and certain other immigration applications.
What is LICO?
Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) is Statistics Canada's annual measure of low income, calculated based on family size and community size. For Canadian immigration purposes, LICO is the financial-eligibility threshold for Super Visa sponsorship.
LICO is less strict than MNI (which is LICO + 30%, used for PGP). LICO requires the sponsor to demonstrate income meeting the threshold for the prior tax year only — vs. MNI's 3-year requirement.
LICO 2026 figures (approximate)
LICO varies by family size:
- Family of 2: ~CAD $35,000+
- Family of 3: ~CAD $43,000+
- Family of 4: ~CAD $52,000+
- Family of 5: ~CAD $59,000+
- Family of 6: ~CAD $66,000+
- Family of 7+: ~$8,000 per additional person
Family size for Super Visa includes sponsor + sponsor's existing household + the visiting parents/grandparents.
Updated annually; check the IRCC sponsor-income calculator for current thresholds.
How IRCC verifies LICO compliance
Sponsor submits the prior year's Notice of Assessment (NOA) with the Super Visa application. IRCC compares the assessed income against the LICO threshold for the relevant family size.
What counts as income
Generally the same as MNI:
- Employment income (T4)
- Self-employment income (T2125)
- Investment income (T5, T3)
- Taxable employment benefits
Does NOT count: provincial social assistance, EI regular benefits, refugee resettlement assistance.
LICO vs. MNI
| Aspect | LICO | MNI |
|---|---|---|
| Used for | Super Visa | PGP |
| Threshold | LICO baseline | LICO + 30% |
| Years required | Prior 1 year | Prior 3 years |
| Purpose | Visitor-visa financial eligibility | PR sponsorship undertaking |
Common gotchas
- Family size includes visiting parents: a sponsor with a spouse + 2 kids + inviting both parents = family of 6, not 4.
- Co-sponsor option: if primary sponsor doesn't meet LICO alone, spouse can combine income.
- Income source consistency: IRCC reviews the NOA; if income comes from one-time large sources (settlement, lottery), officers may require ongoing-income verification.
See also
- Super Visa service and Super Visa Guide.
- MNI — PGP's stricter equivalent.
Not sure how LICO applies to your file?
Halani Immigration Services Inc. — Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB R711322). Free eligibility assessment, no obligation.
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