Sponsorship Undertaking Financial Requirements 2026 — Complete Guide
When sponsoring family for Canadian PR, Canadian sponsors sign a legally binding Financial Undertaking — committing to support sponsored person + repay government for social assistance during specified period. This page covers MNI requirements, undertaking length, breaches.
Undertaking length by category
| Sponsorship Category | Undertaking Length |
|---|---|
| Spouse / Common-law / Conjugal partner | 3 years |
| Dependent child (under 22) | 10 years or until age 25 (whichever later) |
| Dependent child (over 22) | 3 years or until self-sufficient |
| Parent / Grandparent (PGP) | 20 years |
| Other relatives (lonely Canadian exception) | 10 years |
Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) — for PGP
PGP requires sponsor to meet MNI for last 3 tax years. MNI = LICO + 30% based on family size + sponsorship size. Approximate 2026 figures:
| Family Size (incl sponsored) | Approx 2026 MNI |
|---|---|
| 2 | ~CAD $40,000 |
| 3 | ~CAD $50,000 |
| 4 | ~CAD $60,000 |
| 5 | ~CAD $68,000 |
| 6 | ~CAD $77,000 |
| 7 | ~CAD $85,000 |
| Each additional | +~$8,000 |
Family size = sponsor + spouse + dependents + sponsored persons (parents + their dependents).
Spousal sponsorship financial requirements
NO specific MNI. Sponsor must show ability to provide for sponsored person via:
- Tax returns (last 1-3 years)
- Employment proof (T4s, employment letter, pay stubs)
- Bank statements showing reasonable balances
- Other financial assets
Sponsor on social assistance generally barred from sponsoring (with some exceptions for disability-related social assistance + Quebec residents).
What counts as income for MNI
- Employment income (T4)
- Self-employment income (reported)
- Pension income
- Investment income (T5)
- Workers' Compensation Benefits + EI maternity/parental/sickness
Generally NOT counted: EI regular benefits (some exceptions), social assistance, refundable tax credits.
Co-signer option (for PGP)
Spouse of sponsor can be added as co-signer. Combined income meets MNI even if neither individually meets. Co-signer shares same legal obligations during undertaking period.
Sponsorship bar (cannot sponsor)
- Currently on social assistance (except disability-related)
- Previously failed sponsorship + unpaid government debt
- Bankruptcy not yet discharged
- Imprisoned + serving sentence
- Convicted of certain crimes against sponsored person
- Sponsored someone in past 5 years (some sponsorships)
Breach + consequences
If sponsored person receives social assistance during undertaking period:
- Provincial/federal government may pursue sponsor for repayment
- Sponsor barred from future sponsorships until repaid
- Personal bankruptcy generally doesn't discharge sponsorship debt
- Wage garnishment + tax refund seizure possible
Sponsorship undertaking SURVIVES relationship breakdown — sponsor still liable even after divorce.
Common sponsorship undertaking mistakes
- Not understanding 20-year PGP undertaking commitment
- Failing to track sponsored person's social assistance receipt
- Underestimating MNI requirement for current PGP intake year
- Not realizing relationship breakdown doesn't end financial obligation
- Assuming bankruptcy discharges sponsorship debt
FAQ
What's the sponsorship undertaking?
Legal commitment by Canadian sponsor to financially support sponsored person + repay government for any social assistance received by sponsored person during undertaking period. Spouse/CLP: 3 years. PGP/Super Visa-related sponsorship: 20 years. Dependent children: 10 years or until 25 (whichever later).
What's MNI for PGP?
Minimum Necessary Income — financial threshold for PGP sponsors. For 2026 PGP intake, MNI based on Low Income Cutoff (LICO) + 30% for last 3 tax years. Family size + sponsorship size determine MNI. Sponsors must meet MNI for all 3 prior tax years to qualify.
Does spousal sponsorship require MNI?
Generally no — spousal/dependent child sponsorship doesn't have specific MNI threshold (unlike PGP). But sponsors must show financial capacity through other documentation. Quebec-resident sponsors have separate Quebec income requirements.
What if I don't meet MNI?
For PGP: don't apply this year; build income + reapply when MNI met. Co-signer (spouse) can be added if combined income meets MNI. For spousal: financial documentation showing capacity even without MNI.
Sponsorship breach — what happens?
If sponsored person receives social assistance during undertaking period, sponsor must repay government. Breach affects future sponsorship eligibility (barred until repaid). Personal bankruptcy doesn't always discharge sponsorship debt.
Sponsorship financial planning
Halani Immigration Services Inc. (RCIC-IRB R711322). Free 15-min review.
Free Sponsorship Review →Related: PGP · Spousal sponsorship · Sponsorship breakdown