LICO Table 2022 – Low Income Cut-Off Canada
| NOTE: The LICO 2022 article and table are guidelines for those who wish to immigrate to Canada. However, you may refer to this article for other purposes. Click here for LICO 2024 tables. |
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 2022
- 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. Statistics Canada updates the LICO table every year due to inflation. The first table on this page shows LICO for immigration to Canada in 2022.
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 money you can bring to Canada when you land as a newcomer. Immigration authorities use the LICO table to evaluate the sufficiency of settlement funds. Consider reading the following article for more information on settlement funds.
you cannot rely on settlement funds when sponsoring a family member via a family reunification option; 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 2022 is a point of reference for sponsorship income too.
Where LICO is useful
As mentioned earlier, you may use the LICO 2022 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 2022 to evaluate 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 2022
The following table shows LICO for 2022* as you see the LICO changes based on the household number.
| Size of Family Unit |
LICO – 12 Months |
LICO – 6 Months |
| one person | $26,620 | $13,310 |
| two persons | $33,140 | $16,570 |
| three persons | $40,742 | $20,371 |
| four persons | $49,466 | $24,733 |
| five persons | $56,104 | $28,052 |
| six persons | $63,276 | $31,638 |
| seven persons | $70,448 | $35,224 |
| If more than seven persons, for each additional person, add |
$7,172 | $3,586 |
*For the 6-month LICO, I have used the IRCC website table (updated May 11, 2022). For the 12-month LICO, I multiplied the 6-month values by 2.
Like the Federal Skilled Worker Program, most immigration options require proof of funds based on a 6-month LICO. Keep in mind that 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 2022. Of course, this is an effort to show you the changes in LICO over the years.
| Size of Family Unit |
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
| one person | $24,950 | $25,338 | $25,921 | $26,426 | $26,620 |
| two persons | $31,062 | $31,544 | $32,270 | $32,898 | $33,140 |
| three persons | $38,186 | $38,780 | $39,672 | $40,444 | $40,742 |
| four persons | $46,362 | $47,084 | $48,167 | $49,106 | $49,466 |
| five persons | $52,584 | $53,402 | $54,630 | $55,694 | $56,104 |
| six persons | $59,304 | $60,228 | $61,613 | $62,814 | $63,276 |
| seven persons | $66,028 | $67,056 | $68,598 | $69,934 | $70,448 |
| If more than seven persons, for each additional person, add |
$6,722 | $6,828 | $6,985 | $7,120 | $7,172 |
Comparing 6-month LICO over the years
The following table reflects the 6-month LICO from 2018 to 2022. Of course, this is an effort to show you the changes in LICO over the years.
| Size of Family Unit |
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
| one person | $12,475 | $12,669 | $12,961 | $13,213 | $13,310 |
| two persons | $15,531 | $15,772 | $16,135 | $16,449 | $16,570 |
| three persons | $19,093 | $19,390 | $19,836 | $20,222 | $20,371 |
| four persons | $23,181 | $23,542 | $24,084 | $24,553 | $24,733 |
| five persons | $26,292 | $26,701 | $27,315 | $27,847 | $28,052 |
| six persons | $29,652 | $30,114 | $30,807 | $31,407 | $31,638 |
| seven persons | $33,014 | $33,528 | $34,299 | $34,967 | $35,224 |
| If more than seven persons, for each additional person, add |
$3,361 | $3,414 | $3,493 | $3,560 | $3,586 |
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 (NOA). Unfortunately, a typical NOA is confusing. However, your answer is line 150 or 15000 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 more important than your income.
Questions about LICO 2022 or immigration matters to Canada
If you have any questions about LICO 2022 or other issues related to immigration, fill out the following form. Of course, we will get back to you as soon as possible. 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: 2021-11-11
-Read this article in Spanish–
Of course, you may click here to explore your 2021 immigration options.
Updated May 13, 2022
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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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