Update to the Settlement Fund Requirement for Ontario Express Entry and Masters Graduates
All applicants to the Masters Graduate Stream and the Ontario Express Entry Streams (Human Capital Priorities and the French-Speaking Skilled Worker) must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds and/or income to cover settlement costs in Ontario for themselves and their dependent family members. For more information, please review the “Settlement Funds” section of the applicable guide.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) determines settlement fund requirements based on the Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO) for different family sizes. These amounts are updated every year by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You can find the new LICO requirements here.
For applicants who have applied on or after May 6, 2016: please ensure that your application package contains supporting information which demonstrates you meet the new settlement funds requirement.
For applicants who have submitted an application prior to May 6, 2016: your application will be evaluated against the settlement funds requirement that was in place at the time of application. That is, you will need to meet the LICO requirement of 2015. Please note that applicants of the Ontario Express Entry Streams may be refused by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) when they apply for permanent resident status if they do not meet the new 2016 LICO.
# of Family Members*
Funds Required (minimum)
1
$12,164
2
$15,143
3
$18,617
4
$22,603 5
$25,636 6
$28,913
7 or more $32,191
2016 LICO Requirements:
*Note that the number of family members includes both accompanying and non-accompanying dependents.
To learn more, click here