LICO Table 2021 – Low Income Cut-Off Canada
| Note: Click here for LICO 2024 tables. |
Alicia is a Canadian citizen who intends to sponsor her parents in immigration to Canada. While searching the internet for some answers, she realizes her income is an essential piece of a sponsorship application puzzle. Generally, Alicia must show an income equivalent to LICO plus 30%. Alicia wonders what LICO is and how she can access the LICO table 2021 to realize the sponsorship application’s income requirements.
Immigrants to Canada must show they intend to live in our country independently and without using social assistance [note to practitioners – see A39]. Of course, there are many ways to confirm you want to be an independent newcomer in Canada. Regardless, the LICO table is an essential tool to serve this purpose.
Table of contents
- What is LICO?
- Settlement funds versus annual income
- Where LICO is useful
- LICO table 2021
- Comparing 12-month LICO over the years
- Comparing 6-month LICO over the years
- How to realize income in comparison to LICO
- Ask your questions
What is LICO?
The low-income cut-off (LICO) table represents the poverty line in Canada’s urban areas, with a population of half a million or more. In other words, if your income is below LICO, you are poor. LICO changes every year due to inflation. The first table on this page shows LICO for immigration to Canada in 2021.
Settlement funds versus annual income
An immigration officer may consider your skills, work experience, educational credentials, and assets to verify financial admissibility. Nonetheless, one of the main options to prove your ability to be independent is the settlement funds. Of course, settlement funds refer to the amount of money you can bring to Canada when you land as a newcomer. Immigration authorities use the LICO table as a tool to evaluate the sufficiency of settlement funds. Consider reading the following article for more information on settlement funds.
When you sponsor a family member via a family reunification option, you cannot rely on settlement funds. Since you are financially sponsoring your loved ones, you usually need to show a steady income. Therefore, your income becomes more important than the money you have in your bank account. Of course, you may read the following articles for more information:
The LICO table 2021 is a point of reference for sponsorship income too.
Where LICO is useful
As mentioned earlier, you may use the LICO 2021 table both for settlement funds and the necessary annual income. Here are some examples.
- Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC) – The 6-month LICO for settlement funds
- Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) – The 6-month LICO for settlement funds
- Sponsoring family members other than spouses, parents, or children – The12-month LICO for the minimum necessary income
- Start-up visa – The 6-month LICO for settlement funds
Of course, these are just some examples. Additional federal or provincial immigration options may also consider LICO 2021 as a tool for evaluating applicants’ financial status. Consequently, in some immigration options, such as the Federal Self-employed class, LICO could help even though settlement funds are not an explicit assessment factor. Consider reading the following article for more information:
LICO table 2021
The following table shows LICO for 2021* as you see the LICO changes based on the household number.
| Size of Family Unit |
LICO – 12 Months |
LICO – 6 Months |
| one person | $26,426 | $13,213 |
| two persons | $32,898 | $16,449 |
| three persons | $40,444 | $20,222 |
| four persons | $49,106 | $24,553 |
| five persons | $55,694 | $27,847 |
| six persons | $62,814 | $31,407 |
| seven persons | $69,934 | $34,967 |
| If more than seven persons, for each additional person, add |
$7,120 | $3,560 |
Like the Federal Skilled Worker Program, most immigration options require proof of funds based on a 6-month LICO. Keep in mind, I have done my best to show the correct figures, but the values I have presented here are not the official numbers. Consequently, consult with other sources as well.
Comparing 12-month LICO over the years
The following table reflects the 12-month LICO from 2018 to 2021. Of course, this is an effort to show you changes in LICO over the years.
| Size of Family Unit |
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| one person | $24,950 | $25,338 | $25,921 | $26,426 |
| two persons | $31,062 | $31,544 | $32,270 | $32,898 |
| three persons | $38,186 | $38,780 | $39,672 | $40,444 |
| four persons | $46,362 | $47,084 | $48,167 | $49,106 |
| five persons | $52,584 | $53,402 | $54,630 | $55,694 |
| six persons | $59,304 | $60,228 | $61,613 | $62,814 |
| seven persons | $66,028 | $67,056 | $68,598 | $69,934 |
| If more than seven persons, for each additional person, add |
$6,722 | $6,828 | $6,985 | $7,120 |
Comparing 6-month LICO over the years
The following table reflects the 6-month LICO from 2018 to 2021. Of course, this is an effort to show you changes in LICO over the years.
| Size of Family Unit |
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| one person | $12,475 | $12,669 | $12,961 | $13,213 |
| two persons | $15,531 | $15,772 | $16,135 | $16,449 |
| three persons | $19,093 | $19,390 | $19,836 | $20,222 |
| four persons | $23,181 | $23,542 | $24,084 | $24,553 |
| five persons | $26,292 | $26,701 | $27,315 | $27,847 |
| six persons | $29,652 | $30,114 | $30,807 | $31,407 |
| seven persons | $33,014 | $33,528 | $34,299 | $34,967 |
| If more than seven persons, for each additional person, add |
$3,361 | $3,414 | $3,493 | $3,560 |
How to realize income in comparison to LICO
The best way to realize your income to compare it with LICO is to look at your Notice of Assessment. Of course, a typical NOA is confusing. However, your answer is line 150 of the NOA. Regardless, in some immigration options, you could refer to your earnings statements or T4. Nonetheless, consult with an accountant for correct figures. Also, ask a practitioner if using these sources is beneficial. Finally, if you use LICO for settlement funds, your account balance is important rather than your income.
Questions about LICO 2021 or immigration matters to Canada
If you have any questions about LICO 2021 or other issues related to immigration, fill out the following form. Of course, we will get back to you as soon as we can. However, if the question is case-specific, we advise you to book a consultation session.
We extracted the LICO table from the IRCC website.
Updated: 2021-07-05
-Read this article in Spanish–
Of course, you may click here to explore your 2021 immigration options.
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Al Parsai, LLM, MA, RCIC-IRB
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Adjunct Professor, Queen’s University Faculty of Law
Instructor, Ashton College, Immigration Consulting Program
Author of 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada and Inadmissibility to Canada for Human Rights Violations
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