The Canuck EI Thread

[pocheros 101]

Okay, I'm a little confused with how to go about this process. I quit my job on August 19th and POEd on September 9th. Since you're supposed to apply for EI within 4 weeks of leaving your job I applied online a few days after my POE. Then Service Canada mailed some forms to me to get additional information on my immigration status/whether or not I'm allowed to work. The letter instructed me to respond within 10 business days but naturally I received it 10 business days after the date of the letter e_e At the end of the letter it says "you may provide your response by fax, addressed to the Interstate Claims Unit at <phone number>." So here are my questions... I've been looking through this thread but it's kind of big and bloated and while I'm finding some useful information I can't find the particular answers I need, so here goes:

1. I haven't applied for AOS/EAD/AP yet and it's probably going to be another 6-8 weeks before I do so since we have to come up with the $1K filing fee. It's not ideal but that's the situation. Do I still need to send a reply ASAP? Are they just going to dismiss me since I don't have an EAD yet? Do I just include a letter explaining I intend to apply for an EAD soon and merely applied for EI since you have to within 4 weeks of quitting your job? I understand I can't receive EI until I have an EAD or green card.

2. Does the response have to be faxed?

3. The form asks if my visa allows me to work. I know this sound dumb, but I don't know if I answer Yes or No to this, because a K1 visa allows you to apply for an EAD and green card and therefore "allows me to work," just not as soon as I enter the States, so on the one hand it sounds like "yes." On the other hand I'm not authorized to work without an EAD or green card so I want to say "no," but that doesn't sound right.

The next question asks what date I became available to look for and accept employment in the US if I'm authorized to work, which seems to contradict answering "yes" to the question I just outlined above.

Theeen afterwards in the following questions it asks if you applied for an EAD and a green card if your visa does not allow you to work, so it seems to me the correct answer is "no" to whether or not your visa allows you to work, and then to perhaps attach a letter detailing that I am going to apply for and EAD and a green card soon. I should do this ASAP and not wait till I've actually applied for AOS/EAD yet, right? I'm also kind of leery about faxing this- is that what you guys did as well?

4. Also, as far as I know they don't have my ROE. My employer gave me a paper ROE, of course, which I have handy. Do I have to fax them a copy of it?

5. I got report cards for the last three weeks. I'm not working, obviously, so do I just keep filling these out (saying I'm not employed) over the next few weeks and return them to Service Canada?

Sorry if any of these are dumb or obvious! I'm going to return to this thread later and scour it a bit more and hopefully find some answers. Thanks in advance for any answers!

[brooksie 3]

i just filled it out like it asked and then got denied the letter i got said i have to call them within 30 days im going to do that in the morning ill let you know how it goes lol

[Megnme 0]

I'm just wondering if there's any new info from the latest posts. I will POE in a couple of weeks, and have read this thread but still have things I'm not sure of.

- I'm concluding that it is best to wait until I'm in the States, and then apply for EI online.

- I should keep the EI office updated until I have my EAD.

- It looks like 3 months! is the average time to receive an EAD.

- Does anybody know if biweekly "cards" are sent physically by mail, or are filled out online/by phone?

I think that's enough for now! Good luck to all!

[Minu Luvs Pinu 2]

Question- Currently on trying to get EI (just started to apply, i work part time however i qualify for EI) planning on moving to the states with Fiance (k-1 visa) once I have my visa granted, can I still be on EI after I quit my part time job and leave canada?

[pocheros 101]

I'm just wondering if there's any new info from the latest posts. I will POE in a couple of weeks, and have read this thread but still have things I'm not sure of.

- I'm concluding that it is best to wait until I'm in the States, and then apply for EI online.

- I should keep the EI office updated until I have my EAD.

- It looks like 3 months! is the average time to receive an EAD.

- Does anybody know if biweekly "cards" are sent physically by mail, or are filled out online/by phone?

I think that's enough for now! Good luck to all!

I'm not too knowledgeable on EI, but I think you have to apply for EI within 4 weeks of quitting your job. Applying for an EAD separately from AOS/green card is a waste of money (it's $300 or something) plus it only allows you to work for 90 days after entering the States but if you apply for it along with AOS it's free. And I believe the cards are done through snail mail...

Minu Luvs Pinu: I think you have to work a certain number of hours to qualify for EI, but I don't know how much specifically.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Question- Currently on trying to get EI (just started to apply, i work part time however i qualify for EI) planning on moving to the states with Fiance (k-1 visa) once I have my visa granted, can I still be on EI after I quit my part time job and leave canada?

1 has to LEGALLY be able to work in the USA. As a k1 you can NOT work legally until u get ur EAD! I would imagine you would have to Contact the EI people, and they wil stop paying u the EI $$$$$ until u get ur EAD! Always best to call them and find out the correct answer. Best of luck

[jken 2]

1 has to LEGALLY be able to work in the USA. As a k1 you can NOT work legally until u get ur EAD! I would imagine you would have to Contact the EI people, and they wil stop paying u the EI $$$$$ until u get ur EAD! Always best to call them and find out the correct answer. Best of luck

Just to add: when you quit your job in Canada, be sure to tell your employer you are quitting b/c you are moving to get married; so your r.o.e.., will reflect that - thios 'qualifies' you for ei - open your claim before you leave. However the above response is 100% correct, you won't get any ei, until you rec' your ead; b/c without that you are not 'able' to work and actively seek a job. It bites - I lost about 4 months untik i got my ead!

Good Luck!

[Minu Luvs Pinu 2]

So if you're on EI now .. until you can work legally in the US, then you can commence with your EI claim? How would you keep that case open during the time you wait to have you status changed? The reason I ask is because I fear that it would just expire and they would throw out my case. I didn't even know you could get EI when you've moved to the States.

[Minu Luvs Pinu 2]

Oh I mean not change of status I meant EAD*

[Flames9_RN 358]

Oh I mean not change of status I meant EAD*

You call the EI office and let them know! They will give you instructions.

[S and P 9]

Do you have to have your actual EAD card in hand to be able to collect EI , or will the approval letter work?(do you even get an approval letter for EAD??) anybody???

[SapphireDreams 71]

Do you have to have your actual EAD card in hand to be able to collect EI , or will the approval letter work?(do you even get an approval letter for EAD??) anybody???

You need to have the EAD card in hand - they require a copy of it.

You may get an approval email, but no letter. The card will come in the mail on its own. You might get a "Welcome to America" letter, but it usually comes after the card.

[S and P 9]

You need to have the EAD card in hand - they require a copy of it.

You may get an approval email, but no letter. The card will come in the mail on its own. You might get a "Welcome to America" letter, but it usually comes after the card.

Thank you!

We just got the email saying my husbands card has been ordered/in production, so I hope it comes quick!!!

[TammyandJosh 1]

? not sure if anyone has been in this situation or not....just found out im pregnant. awaiting noa-2 close to 6 months now..

can i go on mat leave and continue to collect while in the us?

thanks..

if nto what would you guys do?

[awkwardsoul 20]

? not sure if anyone has been in this situation or not....just found out im pregnant. awaiting noa-2 close to 6 months now..

can i go on mat leave and continue to collect while in the us?

thanks..

if nto what would you guys do?

I got a similar question too. I'm a little worried I might get bumped/laid off and I'll go on EI... and I figure they wouldn't let me collect EI when I leave Canada, but wondering if my EI payments would resume once I'm legally able to work in the US.

Edited November 20, 2011 by awkwardsoul