Master the family size rules that determine Super Visa income requirements
On This Page You Will Find:
- The exact family size calculation that determines your income requirements
- Complete list of who must be counted (including surprising inclusions)
- 2025 income thresholds with real examples that could save your application
- Common mistakes that lead to automatic rejections
- Step-by-step examples from simple to complex family situations
Summary:
Maria Santos thought she had everything right for her parents' Super Visa application. Her husband made $65,000, they had one child, and she was inviting both parents – surely they met the income requirements for five people. Three months later, rejection. The reason? She forgot to count her husband's previously sponsored brother, whose undertaking was still active. This miscalculation meant they actually needed income for six people, not five. Don't let a family size miscalculation destroy your Super Visa dreams. This guide reveals the exact rules immigration officers use to determine if your host meets the minimum income requirements, including the hidden family members most applicants forget to count.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Family size includes host, spouse, dependents, invited parents, AND any previous sponsorship undertakings still in effect
- Dependent children count regardless of custody arrangements or who pays support
- Previous Super Visa holders from earlier invitations must be included in new calculations
- Income requirements range from $30,526 for one person to $80,784+ for larger families
- Co-signing with spouse allows combining incomes to meet thresholds
When Rajesh Kumar's Super Visa application was rejected, he couldn't understand why. His daughter in Toronto earned $70,000 annually – well above what he thought was needed for their family of four. The devastating truth? His daughter had forgotten to include her ex-husband's mother, whom she had co-signed to sponsor three years earlier. That sponsorship undertaking was still active, bumping their required income threshold by thousands of dollars.
If you're planning to invite your parents or grandparents to Canada through the Super Visa program, getting the family size calculation wrong isn't just a paperwork error – it's an automatic rejection that costs months of waiting and hundreds of dollars in fees.
The Foundation: Who Counts in Your Family Size
The family size calculation determines everything about your Super Visa application's financial requirements. Immigration officers don't just count the obvious family members – they follow strict rules that catch most applicants off guard.
Your family size includes every person who would be financially dependent on or supported by the host in Canada. This isn't about who lives in the same house or who you claim on your taxes. It's about legal obligations and immigration commitments.
The calculation starts with the host (the Canadian citizen or permanent resident doing the inviting) and expands from there based on relationships and previous immigration commitments.
The Complete Family Size Checklist
Always Include These People:
The host child in Canada forms the foundation of your count. Whether single, married, divorced, or widowed, the host always counts as one person.
The host's current spouse or common-law partner must be included, regardless of their income or employment status. Even if they're temporarily unemployed or studying, they count toward family size.
All dependent children of the host count toward family size, and here's where it gets tricky – custody arrangements don't matter. If your host shares custody with an ex-spouse, those children still count as full family members for income calculation purposes. Immigration Canada doesn't reduce the count because the children spend half their time elsewhere.
Every parent or grandparent being invited through the current Super Visa application counts as one person each. If you're inviting both parents, that's two people. If one parent is deceased and you're only inviting one, that's one person.
The Hidden Family Members Most People Miss:
Any other Super Visa holders from previous invitations signed by the host or their spouse must be included. This means if your host child previously invited their in-laws for a Super Visa, and that invitation is still valid, those people count toward the current family size calculation.
Previously sponsored individuals where the host acted as sponsor or co-signer create ongoing obligations. If the undertaking period is still active (which can last 20 years for parents and grandparents), these individuals must be counted even if they're now Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Co-signed sponsorships from previous relationships remain active obligations. Even after divorce, if your host co-signed to sponsor their ex-spouse's family members, those commitments don't disappear and must be included in new calculations.
Real Family Size Examples
Simple Scenario: Jennifer, a single nurse in Vancouver, wants to invite her widowed mother. Jennifer has no children and no previous sponsorship commitments. Family size: 2 people (Jennifer + mother). Required income: $38,002.
Moderate Complexity: David and Sarah live in Calgary with their two teenage children. They want to invite both of David's parents for a Super Visa. David's parents are married and will apply together. Family size: 2 (David and Sarah) + 2 (their children) + 2 (David's parents) = 6 people. Required income: $72,560.
Complex Reality: Priya lives in Toronto with her new husband and their baby. She wants to invite her divorced parents (who will apply separately). Three years ago, Priya co-signed when her ex-husband sponsored his elderly aunt, and that 20-year undertaking is still active. Additionally, her current husband previously invited his parents on a Super Visa that's still valid. Family size: 2 (Priya and current husband) + 1 (baby) + 2 (Priya's parents) + 1 (ex-husband's aunt from previous undertaking) + 2 (husband's parents from previous Super Visa) = 8 people. Required income: $89,008 ($80,784 + $8,224 for the 8th person).
2025 Income Requirements That Could Make or Break Your Application
The income thresholds increase significantly with each additional family member, making accurate counting crucial for your financial planning.
For smaller families, the requirements start at $30,526 for a single person and jump to $38,002 for two people – a 24% increase. This pattern continues with substantial increases at each level.
Mid-size families face steeper climbs. Three people require $46,720, while four people need $56,724 – a $10,000 jump that catches many families unprepared. Five people need $64,336, and six people require $72,560.
Larger families see the costs compound quickly. Seven people need $80,784, and each additional person adds $8,224 to the requirement. For families with complex previous sponsorship obligations, this can push required income well above $100,000.
The income must be proven through official documents like Notice of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency, employment letters, or T4 slips. The host must have met this income level in each of the three taxation years immediately preceding the application.
The Co-Signing Solution That Saves Applications
When the host's income alone doesn't meet the threshold, co-signing with a spouse or common-law partner can combine incomes to reach the required amount.
Both the host and co-signer must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in Canada. The co-signer takes on equal legal responsibility for the financial support commitment, which lasts for 20 years from the date the invited parents or grandparents become permanent residents (or until they become Canadian citizens, whichever comes first).
This financial obligation is legally binding and enforceable. If the invited parents or grandparents require social assistance, both the host and co-signer can be required to repay those costs to the government.
The combined income approach has saved thousands of Super Visa applications where single-income families couldn't meet the thresholds alone.
Critical Mistakes That Trigger Automatic Rejections
The Custody Trap: Many divorced hosts assume their children count as "half" family members because of shared custody arrangements. Immigration Canada counts all dependent children as full family members regardless of custody splits or child support arrangements.
The Forgotten Undertaking: Previous sponsorship commitments often span decades. Hosts forget about elderly relatives they co-signed to sponsor years earlier, not realizing these undertakings remain active and must be counted.
The Ex-Spouse Connection: After divorce, many people assume their obligations to their former spouse's family members end. However, co-signed sponsorship undertakings survive divorce and continue for their full duration.
The Income Timing Error: Some hosts calculate family size based on current circumstances but use income from years when their family size was different. The family size calculation must reflect the situation at the time of application, while income must be proven for the three preceding tax years.
Your Next Steps for Super Visa Success
Start by creating a comprehensive list of every person connected to your host through blood, marriage, or previous immigration commitments. Include full names, relationships, and dates of any previous sponsorships or Super Visa invitations.
Gather three years of tax documents for your host (and co-signer if applicable) to verify income meets the requirements for your calculated family size. Don't rely on estimates – use actual figures from Notice of Assessment documents.
If your income falls short, explore the co-signing option with the host's spouse or common-law partner. Calculate their combined income against your family size requirements before proceeding with the application.
Consider timing your application strategically. If previous undertakings are nearing their end dates, waiting a few months could reduce your family size and required income threshold.
The difference between Super Visa approval and rejection often comes down to these precise calculations. Take the time to count correctly, verify your income thoroughly, and understand your long-term financial commitments. Your parents' dreams of extended visits to Canada depend on getting these numbers right the first time.
FAQ
Q: How do I correctly calculate my family size for Super Visa income requirements?
Your family size includes the host (Canadian citizen/permanent resident), their spouse/common-law partner, all dependent children, the parents/grandparents being invited, AND any previously sponsored individuals or Super Visa holders from earlier invitations. The key mistake most people make is forgetting about previous commitments. For example, if you previously co-signed to sponsor your ex-spouse's parent, that person still counts even after your divorce. Dependent children count as full family members regardless of custody arrangements - so if you share 50/50 custody, they still count as one full person each. Start by listing everyone connected to you through blood, marriage, or previous immigration commitments, then add the parents you're currently inviting.
Q: What income do I need to meet for different family sizes in 2025?
The 2025 income thresholds start at $30,526 for one person and increase substantially with each family member: 2 people need $38,002, 3 people need $46,720, 4 people need $56,724, 5 people need $64,336, 6 people need $72,560, and 7 people need $80,784. Each additional person beyond seven adds $8,224. These amounts must be proven through three consecutive years of tax documents (Notice of Assessment, T4 slips, employment letters). The income requirement jumps significantly between family sizes - for instance, going from 3 to 4 people means finding an extra $10,000 annually. This is why accurate family size calculation is crucial before you start the financial planning process.
Q: Can I combine incomes with my spouse to meet the Super Visa requirements?
Yes, co-signing with your spouse or common-law partner allows you to combine both incomes to meet the threshold. Both of you must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in Canada. However, this creates a 20-year financial obligation for both parties - you're both legally responsible for supporting the invited parents and must repay any social assistance they receive. This commitment survives divorce and remains active until the parents become Canadian citizens or the 20-year period ends. For example, if you need $72,560 for six people but only earn $45,000, and your spouse earns $30,000, your combined $75,000 income would meet the requirement. The co-signing option has saved thousands of applications where single incomes fell short.
Q: Do my children from a previous marriage count toward family size even if they don't live with me full-time?
Yes, all dependent children count as full family members regardless of custody arrangements, living situations, or who pays child support. Immigration Canada doesn't reduce the count because children spend time with their other parent. This is one of the most common miscalculations that leads to rejections. For instance, if you have 50/50 custody of two children, you still count both children as full family members, not as "half" members. The same applies if your children live primarily with your ex-spouse but you still have legal parental obligations. This rule often surprises divorced applicants who assume their family size is smaller than it actually is according to immigration calculations.
Q: How long do previous sponsorship commitments affect new Super Visa applications?
Previous sponsorship undertakings remain active for up to 20 years and must be included in all new family size calculations. This includes anyone you sponsored or co-signed to sponsor, even if they're now Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The commitment doesn't end when someone gets citizenship - it continues for the full undertaking period. For example, if you co-signed to sponsor your ex-spouse's elderly parent in 2020, that person must be counted in your 2025 Super Visa calculation. Similarly, if you previously invited your in-laws on a Super Visa and that invitation is still valid, they count toward your new application's family size. Check all previous immigration commitments dating back 20 years to ensure accurate counting.
Q: What happens if I miscalculate my family size and apply with insufficient income?
Miscalculating family size and applying with insufficient income results in automatic rejection, lost processing fees (typically several hundred dollars), and months of additional waiting time. Immigration officers strictly verify that your proven income meets the threshold for your actual family size - there's no room for appeals based on miscalculation. You'll need to reapply from scratch, gather new documents, pay new fees, and restart the processing timeline. For example, if you calculated family size as 4 people requiring $56,724 but actually needed income for 6 people ($72,560), your application fails even if you earned $65,000. The rejection letter will specify the income shortfall, forcing you to either find additional income sources, add a co-signer, or wait until your financial situation improves.
