Family Sponsorship Eligibility Checker
Check if you can sponsor a family member from Nigeria to Canada. See the income requirement, processing time, government fees, and what each category involves.
From your Notice of Assessment (CRA tax return). Income requirement applies mainly to parents/grandparents sponsorship.
What Nigerian Sponsors Get Wrong About Family Sponsorship
- ✗ Work permit holders trying to sponsor family. Only Canadian citizens and PRs can sponsor. A work permit does not qualify you to sponsor anyone.
- ✗ Thinking sponsorship is the same as a visitor visa. A sponsored family member gets PR status. A visitor visa is a separate, temporary permission that does not lead to PR.
- ✗ Not understanding the financial undertaking. Sponsoring someone is a legally binding commitment: 3 years for a spouse, up to 20 years for parents. If they claim government assistance, you may be billed.
- ✗ Assuming parents can be sponsored year-round. The PGP uses a lottery intake system with annual caps. You must wait for the intake window to open and then be randomly selected before applying.
- ✗ Assuming a 25-year-old child qualifies as a dependent. A child over 22 only qualifies if they are enrolled full-time in post-secondary education or have a disability. A working adult child does not qualify.
How the Sponsorship Eligibility Check Works
IRCC’s Family Class sponsorship checks two layers: your eligibility as a sponsor (status, age, financial history), and the income test. The tool verifies both and shows the gap between your income and the LICO threshold where it applies.
Income Eligible = Annual Income >= LICO[family_size] (parents/grandparents only)
Income Gap = Annual Income – LICO[family_size]
Note: Spouse sponsorship has NO minimum income requirement
Who Can Be a Sponsor?
The sponsor must be 18 or older, a Canadian citizen or PR, and living in Canada. Work permit holders, study permit holders, and refugee claimants cannot sponsor family. The sponsor must not be receiving social assistance (except for disability), in default on a previous sponsorship, or subject to a removal order.
The LICO Threshold: When Income Requirements Apply
For sponsoring a spouse or dependent child, there is no minimum income requirement in most cases. For parents and grandparents, your income must meet the LICO (Low Income Cut-Off) for your family size. The LICO is updated annually by Statistics Canada.
| Family Size After Sponsorship | Approx. LICO Threshold (CAD/yr, 2024) |
|---|---|
| 2 people | ~CAD 32,899 |
| 3 people | ~CAD 40,444 |
| 4 people | ~CAD 49,106 |
| 5 people | ~CAD 55,695 |
| 6 people | ~CAD 62,814 |
| 7+ people | ~CAD 69,934 |
The Undertaking: What You Are Legally Committing To
The sponsorship undertaking is a legal contract. If the person you sponsor claims government assistance during the undertaking period, the province can recover those funds from you. The undertaking lasts 3 years for a sponsored spouse, 10 years (or until age 25) for dependent children, and 20 years for parents and grandparents.
Parents and Grandparents: The PGP Lottery
Sponsoring parents or grandparents requires entry into the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which uses a randomized intake. IRCC opens an interest-to-sponsor form periodically. Applicants are randomly selected from the pool. Being selected allows you to submit a full application. Many Nigerian sponsors who apply are not selected in the first year and must try in subsequent intakes.
Processing Times by Category
| Category | Processing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse (outland, from Nigeria) | 12–22 months | Processed through Nairobi or London office |
| Spouse (inland, already in Canada) | 12 months | Spouse may work while waiting |
| Dependent child | 12–18 months | DNA testing may be requested |
| Parents / grandparents (PGP) | 20–36 months after selection | PGP intake not year-round |
| Orphaned relatives | 18–24 months | Both parents must be deceased |
Realistic Scenarios
Scenario 1: Nigerian PR Sponsoring Spouse Still in Lagos
Chima received his PR 2 years ago and earns CAD 60,000/year. He wants to bring his wife. No minimum income requirement for spouse. Outland application (wife applies from Nigeria). Processing: approximately 14 to 22 months. Government fees: approximately CAD 1,165. Undertaking: 3 years. His wife should prepare extensive genuine relationship evidence: photos, calls, financial transfers, marriage certificate.
Scenario 2: Nigerian Citizen Sponsoring Two Parents
Ngozi became a Canadian citizen 6 years ago and earns CAD 76,000. She wants to sponsor both parents. With 3 people in the household (her + 2 parents), the LICO is approximately CAD 40,444. Her income of CAD 76,000 comfortably clears this. She waits for the PGP intake to open, submits an interest form, and hopes for selection. If selected, full application takes 20 to 36 months. Government fees for 2 parents: approximately CAD 3,520. Undertaking: 20 years per parent.
Scenario 3: Nigerian PR Sponsoring Minor Child Born After PR Was Issued
Emeka had a son born in Nigeria after his PR. Child is 5 years old. No income requirement for dependent child under 22. He applies as the child’s sponsor. DNA testing is likely requested by IRCC for Nigerian family applications. Budget CAD 800 to 1,200 for DNA testing if requested. Processing: approximately 12 to 18 months. Government fees: approximately CAD 600.
Common Questions
Can I sponsor parents while on a work permit?
No. Only PR or citizens can sponsor. Wait until you receive your PR before initiating any Family Class sponsorship.
Can I sponsor my adult sibling in Nigeria?
Generally no. Adult siblings are not in the standard Family Class. The exception is orphaned siblings under 18. If you want a sibling to come to Canada, Express Entry, a study permit, or a work permit are the realistic options.
Does my sponsored spouse need a language test?
No minimum language requirement for sponsored spouses. However, provincial settlement services may assess language on arrival as part of their integration support.
What if we divorce after the sponsorship goes through?
The 3-year undertaking continues after divorce. If your sponsored ex-spouse claims social assistance within the undertaking period, you remain liable. Divorce does not cancel the legal obligation you accepted.
What if I have not filed my Canadian taxes?
For parent/grandparent sponsorship, you must submit a Notice of Assessment from CRA. File your taxes before applying. Unfiled returns are a common delay in the process.
