The Canuck EI Thread

[David_n_Amber 3]

I remember reading on one of the posts about the SSN it asks for when applying for EI but i cant find it now lol..

My question is, On the online application, it asks for my SSN, does that mean i gotta wait until i get my SSN from the states before i can even think about applying for EI?

Sure you mean SSN ? I applied online, no where was I asked for an American SSN.....of course I provided my SIN.

LOL wooooops.. dyslexia kicks in some times. i saw "social" and i immediately thought... "SSN". Question though, how long did you have to wait until you applied for EI?

[David_n_Amber 3]

Since we cant edit our posts, i'll post another question...

It says in the Canadian EI "brocher" thing, it states this:

"In order to claim regular benefits you must be capable of and available for

work, actively seeking employment in the United States and, most

importantly, be legally authorized to work in the United States."

I've heard that people are getting refused by some immigration officials when they ask for the EAD stamp at their POE, what would i do once i move to USA to get an EAD or.. to prove im "actively seeking employment"?

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I tried to get around to it relatively quickly. It took about 2 weeks for my employer to send the ROE and I had asked them to send it to the US address since I knew I'd be here already. I applied about 3 weeks after finishing work. The online option was simple and they give you the appropriate address to send your ROE to in Belleville.

Correct....most K1's aren't getting the EAD stamp when entering...but that is ok. If you look back at some previous posts (especially from Flames) you'll see that EI considers us eligible for work....why I don't know precisely.

I actually got a call from EI yesterday about answering some questions about what type of VISA I entered on and the lady seemed quite knowledgable and understood that I still had to apply for the EAD (weird I know) etc....

I am worried about 1 thing....she reiterrated the usual EI mantra....you must be actively looking for work, keep a list of the employers you have applied to...blah blah blah...per week.

I actually wasn't planning on actively looking until I had received my NOA's and some time had passed...mostly because I don't want to apply and then have the company asked when I can work...my answer will be...I don't know....sounds brilliant

ANYONE ELSE THINKING THE SAME THING? There are a few companies I really like and I don't want to turn them off

[Emancipation 2]

I tried to get around to it relatively quickly. It took about 2 weeks for my employer to send the ROE and I had asked them to send it to the US address since I knew I'd be here already. I applied about 3 weeks after finishing work. The online option was simple and they give you the appropriate address to send your ROE to in Belleville.

Correct....most K1's aren't getting the EAD stamp when entering...but that is ok. If you look back at some previous posts (especially from Flames) you'll see that EI considers us eligible for work....why I don't know precisely.

I actually got a call from EI yesterday about answering some questions about what type of VISA I entered on and the lady seemed quite knowledgable and understood that I still had to apply for the EAD (weird I know) etc....

I am worried about 1 thing....she reiterrated the usual EI mantra....you must be actively looking for work, keep a list of the employers you have applied to...blah blah blah...per week.

I actually wasn't planning on actively looking until I had received my NOA's and some time had passed...mostly because I don't want to apply and then have the company asked when I can work...my answer will be...I don't know....sounds brilliant

ANYONE ELSE THINKING THE SAME THING? There are a few companies I really like and I don't want to turn them off

I did a very generic (not at all "employable" resume) and only had my e-mail address on it. I sent it to half a dozen places (that were either places that would underpay me or were not really my area of expertise) via e-mail if possible a week. That way i did look for work and kept a log, but honestly - who's going to hire with a crappy resume and a half attempt at a resume submission? I never applied to anything I was REALLY interested in.. but then again I already had a job lined up to go to, i just had to wait for my EAD to come through first. You can still network and reach out to companies, let them know you are in the area, and will be looking for work in the next few months. No harm in that and it counts!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

An excellent compromise

I know I'll get a decent response once I send out the real one....I tried going the work VISA route a couple years ago...I'm more optimistic.

With all the government contract type IT companies in the DC area, the one caveat is that many are specifying that you need clearance or US citizenship to apply.

[Emancipation 2]

An excellent compromise

I know I'll get a decent response once I send out the real one....I tried going the work VISA route a couple years ago...I'm more optimistic.

With all the government contract type IT companies in the DC area, the one caveat is that many are specifying that you need clearance or US citizenship to apply.

Right.. which you could always submit a resume for the HR pile, and write on a cover letter that you are expecting your EAD in the next 3 months- at least they would have the resume on file and be anticipating your ability to work! Best of luck!

[Flames9_RN 358]

I know nothing about k1, so that info isnt from me!!! lol

[Texanadian 10]

Well I just got off the phone with Canada EI. Nice lady on the other end. I asked her specifically about the I-94 that they give you when you cross the border.

I said "Does the I-94 authorize me to work in the US?"

She said "Yes, the I-94 authorizes you for work in the USA. I'm not sure why they have that window where you can work for 90 days and then nothing until your EAD comes. But yes, the I-94 allows you to work for the first 90 days."

She also mentioned that if I had filed immediately after crossing the border that I could have collected EI during those 90 days (while looking for work of course).

Cliffs notes for those people new to the thread:

• I stopped working in Canada in August.
• Immigrated to US in August.
• Didn't get the 90 day EAD stamp at the border. Even asked the border agent about the 90 day stamp. He said we haven't given those out in a long time.

  (Actually did get work authorization as everybody gets the I-94 stapled to their passport)

• Got my ROE in October (wish it had been earlier)
• Planned on waiting until I had my EAD to apply for EI. Stumbled upon this thread and realized I should file a claim ASAP!!!
• November, applied for EI.
• Have EAD NOA1 at the moment but no actual EAD in my hand. Will be faxing my EAD to Canada EI as soon as I receive it.

She said they would be calculating my eligible weeks based on when I applied (November) rather than when I stopped working (August). This means my 2100 hours on my ROE is now about 1400 hours. So I'm looking at something like 22 weeks instead of 36 weeks. (She couldn't tell me exactly at the moment how long my benefits would last)

So file early everybody. Don't wait for anything. Even if you don't have an ROE, file anyways. YOU ARE ALLOWED TO WORK IN THE USA FOR 90 DAYS! There is no trickery involved. EI knows that the I-94 is good for work.

[L_n_O 3]

So then do I Mark Yes or No for the question that says:

- Do you have a working visa issued by the Gov't of USA authorizing you to accept employment in the US? __________

- If you have a working visa for the US, provide your visa number and a photocopy of the front and back.

( But I didn't get the EAD at the border since I went thru Peace Bridge. )

But through Canada's eyes, is my unstamped I-94 a "working visa"??

[Udella&Wiz 325]

So then do I Mark Yes or No for the question that says:

- Do you have a working visa issued by the Gov't of USA authorizing you to accept employment in the US? __________

- If you have a working visa for the US, provide your visa number and a photocopy of the front and back.

( But I didn't get the EAD at the border since I went thru Peace Bridge. )

But through Canada's eyes, is my unstamped I-94 a "working visa"??

I marked no and explained which type of Visa I came in on (K1...which theoretically allows me to work You didn't come in on a work Visa, right? So should all work out

[Texanadian 10]

I marked yes, since the K-1 is a working visa (at least for 90 days it is) and entered my K-1 visa number in. Sent it back along with photocopies of the K-1 and the I-94.

[L_n_O 3]

uh oh..

I marked no and said that I'm here on a fiancee visa... but we are allowed to work with a K1 for 90 days...

I hope that works.........

[Texanadian 10]

I honestly don't think the yes/no on that question makes much difference in regards to this, due to the K-1 thing. As long as you mentioned you're K-1, they know what to do.

[Emancipation 2]

uh oh..

I marked no and said that I'm here on a fiancee visa... but we are allowed to work with a K1 for 90 days...

I hope that works.........

They will most likely call you and ask you about it if they have any questions. Just talk to them about you being authorized to work and pull out the SSN document if necessary! You'll be fine.. the gals are easy to work with - just keep on 'em.. they appear to be overloaded with work!

[L_n_O 3]

I sent a photocopy of my SSN.... that should help I guess