Canada Super Visa Income Calculator 2026

Calculate your Minimum Necessary Income (LICO) for 2026.

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Canada Super Visa Income Calculator 2026 (LICO Check)

Stop guessing. Use this calculator to instantly check if your 2026 income meets the IRCC Super Visa requirements for your specific family size. No sign-up required. With the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) closed for 2026, the Super Visa is your primary option to bring family to Canada.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Select Household Size: Choose the number of people currently living with you (include yourself, your spouse, and dependent children).
  2. Add Parents: Select how many parents or grandparents you plan to invite.
  3. Enter Income: Input your total annual income (Line 15000 from your Notice of Assessment).
  4. Check Status: Click ‘Check Eligibility’ to see if you meet the Safe 2026 LICO Threshold.

Key Features

  • Auto-Family Size Logic: You don’t need to do the math. The tool automatically combines your household + visiting parents (e.g., 2 hosts + 2 parents = Family Size 4) to find the exact LICO tier.
  • 2026 Inflation Buffer: Official numbers often lag. We calculate a “Safe Margin” (+4.5%) over the 2025 rates to help you future-proof your application against inflation.
  • Instant Verification: Get a clear “Eligible” or “Shortfall” message in seconds.
  • Privacy First: No email or phone number is asked. Your financial data stays 100% on your device.

Technical Logic: How It Works

The official IRCC requirement is based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) table. This number changes annually based on inflation and cost of living adjustments.

Most websites show you the old 2025 numbers (e.g., ~$30,526 for 1 person). If you apply with exactly that amount in 2026, you risk rejection if the government updates the threshold mid-year.

This tool uses a “Safe 2026” formula:

$$\text{Safe Income} = \text{Official LICO (2025)} \times 1.045 \text{ (Inflation Buffer)}$$

This ensures that when you apply, your income is robust enough to satisfy the visa officer.

Comparison: Why Use This Tool?

FeatureCompetitors (Agencies)GooExam Calculator
Data YearOld 2024/2025 Data2026 Safe Estimates
Family LogicManual Math RequiredAutomated (Smart Sum)
PrivacyAsks for Email/Phone100% Anonymous
ResultJust “Pass/Fail”Shows Exact Shortfall ($)

Limitations & Disclaimer

This tool provides an estimate based on projected inflation trends for 2026. While we aim for maximum safety, the final decision always rests with the IRCC visa officer. Always refer to the official IRCC Document Checklist before submitting your application.

Understanding the “LICO” Formula

The Canadian government uses the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) to ensure that hosts can financially support their visiting parents without relying on social assistance.

For the Super Visa, the rule is strict: Your gross annual income must meet or exceed the LICO threshold for your total family unit size.

The Formula:

$$\text{Total Family Size} = \text{Host (You)} + \text{Spouse/Kids} + \text{Visiting Parents}$$

Note: If your income is even $100 below the threshold, the visa officer has the right to refuse the application. This is why our calculator adds a “Safety Buffer” for 2026.

Real-World Scenarios (Case Studies)

Here are three common scenarios to help you understand how the calculation works in real life.

Scenario A: The “Young Couple” (Success)

  • Profile: Sarah and Mike live in Toronto. They have no children.
  • The Plan: They want to invite Sarah’s mother (1 person).
  • Family Count: 2 (Host + Spouse) + 1 (Mother) = 3 People.
  • Income Required (Est. 2026): ~$46,720.
  • Their Income: Mike earns $50,000.
  • Verdict: βœ… Eligible. Mike’s income alone is sufficient.

Scenario B: The “Full House” (High Bar)

  • Profile: David and Priya have 2 children (Family of 4).
  • The Plan: They want to invite Priya’s parents (2 people).
  • Family Count: 4 (Household) + 2 (Parents) = 6 People.
  • Income Required (Est. 2026): ~$72,560.
  • Their Income: David earns $60,000. Priya earns $25,000.
  • Verdict: βœ… Eligible. They can combine their incomes (Co-sign) to reach $85,000, which passes the threshold.

Scenario C: The “Shortfall” (Failure & Fix)

  • Profile: Alex is single.
  • The Plan: He wants to invite both parents.
  • Family Count: 1 (Alex) + 2 (Parents) = 3 People.
  • Income Required: ~$46,720.
  • Alex’s Income: $42,000.
  • Verdict: ❌ Not Eligible. He is short by ~$4,700.
  • The Fix: Alex cannot use a sibling or friend as a co-signer. He must either increase his income or wait until he meets the threshold.

What Counts as Income?

Many applicants get rejected because they submit the wrong type of income proof. Use this table to prepare.

βœ… ACCEPTED Income❌ REJECTED Income
Employment Income (Salary/Wages)Lottery Winnings
Employment Insurance (EI)One-time Gifts
Self-Employment Income (Net)Social Assistance (Welfare)
Pension & InvestmentsUnverifiable Cash Jobs
Rental Income (Declared on Tax)Future Projected Income

Expert Tip: Always use Line 15000 (Total Income) from your Notice of Assessment (NOA). This is the “Gold Standard” document IRCC officers trust most.

Glossary of Terms

  • LICO (Low Income Cut-Off): The income level at which a family may be in “straitened circumstances.” IRCC uses this as the minimum benchmark.
  • NOA (Notice of Assessment): The document Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) sends you after you file your taxes. It confirms your exact income.
  • Co-Signer: Your spouse or common-law partner who signs the application to pool their income with yours. Note: Siblings or friends cannot be co-signers.

Citations & Official References

For final verification, please consult the official government resources:

  1. IRCC Official LICO Table: Check Income Requirements (Canada.ca)
  2. Document Checklist: Super Visa Documents (IRCC)
  3. Tax Proof: Get Your Notice of Assessment (CRA)

FAQ

Can I combine my income with my brother or sister to meet the requirements?

No. You cannot combine income with siblings, relatives, or friends. The only person allowed to co-sign and pool income with you is your spouse or common-law partner.

Which line on my Notice of Assessment (NOA) do I need to look at?

You must look at Line 15000 (Total Income) on your most recent Notice of Assessment from the CRA. This is the official number visa officers use to verify your eligibility.

Does Employment Insurance (EI) count towards the income requirement?

Yes. Since Employment Insurance (EI) is taxable income and appears on your T4E and Line 15000 of your tax return, it counts towards your total gross income for the Super Visa.

I have a newborn baby. Do I need to count them in the family size?

Yes. You must count every dependent child in your household, regardless of their age. If you have a newborn, your family size increases by 1, which raises the income threshold you need to meet.

Is the “Parents and Grandparents Program” (PGP) open for 2026?

No. The PGP lottery is currently closed for new interest to sponsor forms in 2026. The Super Visa remains the only reliable pathway to bring parents to Canada for long-term visits (up to 5 years at a time) this year.

What happens if my income is just $500 short of the limit?

Visa officers have strict instructions. If you are even $1 short of the LICO threshold, your application will likely be refused. We recommend having a “Safety Buffer” (using our calculator’s 2026 Safe Mode) to ensure you are comfortably above the limit.

Can I use my parents’ foreign income or property to help meet the requirement?

No. The income requirement must be met entirely by the Canadian host (you and your spouse). Your parents’ savings, property, or pension in their home country do not count towards the LICO threshold.

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