Who this is for
Hosts preparing a letter of invitation and parents checking whether their child’s income is enough. The family size sets the income the host must show, so an undercount leads to a refusal.
Who IRCC counts
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The applicants. The parent or grandparent applying, and any spouse or common-law partner applying with them.
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The host. The child or grandchild writing the letter of invitation. They must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian. They must also be at least 18 and living in Canada.
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The host’s spouse or common-law partner. IRCC’s page says this may include a separated spouse or common-law partner.
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Dependent children. The dependent children of the host and of the host’s spouse or partner.
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Previously approved Super Visa applicants. Parents or grandparents the host has already brought on a Super Visa.
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Previously sponsored individuals. People the host sponsored whose undertaking is still in effect, which can run for years after the sponsorship.
A worked example
Host, spouse, one child, inviting both parents: five people, minimum income $64,336 on IRCC’s current table. The same host who had earlier co-signed a sponsorship for the spouse’s parents, still within the undertaking period: seven people, $80,784. Each additional person adds $8,224.
What the letter must include
IRCC requires the letter of invitation to list the people counted in the family size with each person’s name and date of birth. It must also include proof that the host meets the minimum income. A co-signing spouse signs as well.
How the pieces connect
Family size sets the income target. The income test now allows either of the two prior tax years, or 75% plus the parent’s income. So the host’s tax returns for both years matter. Insurance, the medical exam and the application are separate steps. Once the parents are here, the household may also have a Canada caregiver amount to consider if a parent is infirm.
One thing many people do not realize
A relative you sponsored years ago can still count. If the host signed a sponsorship undertaking that is still in effect, those people count in the family size for a new Super Visa application. An example is parents sponsored under the family class. They count even if they live elsewhere. IRCC’s own example reaches a family size of seven that way.
What to prepare
- Names and dates of birth of everyone in the count
- Any previous sponsorship undertakings, with their dates
- Any previous Super Visa approvals
- The host’s and co-signer’s Notices of Assessment
When professional help may make sense
Blended families, a separated spouse, a previous sponsorship, or income close to the threshold where one extra person changes the answer.
How Rex Tax may be able to help
We count the family size against IRCC’s list, match it to the income table and the host’s returns, and file any missing year. The application and immigration advice are outside what we do.
Official sources
- IRCC: Super visa, minimum income and proof of financial support
- IRCC: Super visa, forms and documents
- IRCC: Super visa eligibility
This guide is general information, not advice about your situation. It reflects the rules for the 2026 tax year. It has not yet been reviewed by a practitioner. The information was checked against the official sources listed above on the date shown. Rules change. Check the official sources above or ask us. How we prepare these guides.