Financial Requirements of the Sponsor The Low Income Cut Off

Though there is no financial requirement that would preclude or bar a sponsor from sponsoring, your financial situation will still be assessed as to whether or not you will be capable of fulfilling your financial agreement or undertaking.

Officers have what they call a financial test when determining this and refer to the low income cut off.

Note that an officer cannot make discretionary approval of financial requirements. In this way, it is very “black and white.” You either meet the requirement, or you do not.

The sponsor’s income must meet the minimum necessary income requirement to support all members of their own family and all the people they intend to sponsor, which also includes family members who are not accompanying. The applicable Low Income Cut Off level is based on urban areas of 500,000 people or more, regardless of where the sponsor might live.

Sponsors should also provide their latest Notice of Assessment from their Income Tax Return provided by Canada Revenue Agency or the Option C printout, as well as copies of their T4s etc., to help demonstrate financial capabilities.

The officer will consider your total income as the total income shown on the Notice of Assessment. If a sponsor cannot provide a Notice of Assessment/Option C printout or your income on the Notice of Assessment is insufficient, you must provide evidence that you meet the applicable minimum necessary income by any other means; otherwise, you will most likely be refused on these grounds.