Ibrahim Gardner
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was introduced to provide temporary income support to workers who lost their jobs or self-employment income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The benefit was available for a 16-week period from March 15, 2020, to October 3, 2020, and was paid in 4-week installments. While the CERB was primarily intended for Canadian workers, international students studying in Canada were also eligible to apply under certain conditions. To qualify for the CERB, international students needed to meet the eligibility criteria, which included residing in Canada, having a valid Social Insurance Number, and, in some cases, meeting minimum work hours and income thresholds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit? | Workers who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, including temporary foreign workers and international students, may be eligible to receive the benefit if they meet the eligibility criteria and stopped working for reasons related to COVID-19. |
| When can individuals apply for the benefit? | For any four-week period beginning March 15, 2020, and ending on October 3, 2020. |
| What are the eligibility criteria? | International students must reside in Canada, have a valid Social Insurance Number, and meet the other eligibility requirements. |
| What are the payment methods? | Direct deposit or cheque. |
| How long does it take to receive the benefit after submitting the application? | 3 business days for direct deposit; 10 business days for cheque. |
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What You'll Learn
International students' eligibility for CERB
International students who meet the eligibility criteria can qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The CERB was introduced as part of the Government of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. It is intended to provide temporary income support to workers who have lost their employment or self-employment income due to COVID-19.
To be eligible for the CERB, international students must reside in Canada, have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN), and meet the other eligibility requirements. These requirements include having worked a minimum number of hours and meeting a minimum income threshold. It is important to note that the CERB is only available to those who have lost their income due to COVID-19 and does not cover those who are still employed or earning an income.
The CERB application process began on April 6, 2020, and was available for any four-week period between March 15, 2020, and October 3, 2020. The benefit was provided in 4-week installments for up to 16 weeks. Individuals could receive the benefit through direct deposit or by cheque within 3 to 10 business days of submitting their application.
It is worth mentioning that the CERB has been integrated with Employment Insurance (EI), allowing workers to apply for benefits through a single window. If an individual has already applied for EI, their claim will automatically be moved to the CERB without the need for a separate application.
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CERB application process for international students
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is intended to provide temporary income support to workers who are without employment or self-employment income for reasons related to COVID-19. The benefit is available for four-week periods, with each period providing $2,000 of support. CERB can last up to 16 weeks.
International students who meet the eligibility criteria may qualify to receive CERB. Here is a step-by-step guide to the CERB application process for international students:
- Residency and Work Permit: To be eligible for CERB, international students must reside in Canada. Students with a valid study permit are considered residents of Canada for tax purposes and are therefore eligible.
- Social Insurance Number (SIN): International students must have a valid SIN to apply for CERB. However, those without a SIN may still be eligible if all other requirements are met.
- Income Requirements: To qualify for CERB, students must have earned a minimum of $5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months prior. From April 15, 2020, eligibility criteria were relaxed, and applicants could earn up to $1,000 (before taxes) during any four-week period of the program and still qualify.
- Employment Status: Applicants must have lost their job or be unable to work due to reasons directly related to COVID-19. They must not have voluntarily quit their job.
- Application Portal: The CERB application is submitted through the Canada Revenue Agency or Service Canada (choose one, not both). The application portal was made available in early April 2020.
- Payment Method: Applicants can choose to receive their CERB payment via direct deposit or by cheque. Direct deposits are processed within 3 business days, while cheques may take up to 10 business days.
- Additional Documentation: Temporary residents, including international students, may be asked to provide additional documentation to verify their eligibility at a future date. This could include proof of a valid work permit, which can now be provided verbally instead of through email.
- Tax Implications: CERB payments are taxable, and any payments received must be reported on the following year's tax filings. Students may not face tax due to the federal basic personal tax credit that offsets the tax on the first $13,229 of income (as of 2020).
- Alternative Options: International students who do not meet the eligibility criteria for CERB may be eligible for other benefits, such as the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), which provides financial support to students and new graduates who are not eligible for CERB.
It is important to note that the information provided here may not be up-to-date, as CERB was introduced as a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the most current information, it is recommended to refer to the official websites of the Government of Canada and Canada Revenue Agency.
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International students' eligibility for other Canadian benefits
International students in Canada are not eligible for financial assistance from Canadian government programs. However, documented protected persons or convention refugees can apply for Canadian government funding. International students are automatically considered for scholarships upon admission, but these are limited and rarely cover the full cost of tuition.
International students who are on exchange programs in Canada can return to their home countries and finish their studies online. If they choose to do so, they will still receive a prorated amount of their scholarship.
International students who worked the minimum number of hours and met the minimum income threshold may have qualified for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program, which was available for any four-week period between March 15, 2020, and October 3, 2020. This benefit was intended to support workers in the Canadian labour force who were without employment or self-employment income due to COVID-19. To be eligible, international students had to reside in Canada, have a valid Social Insurance Number, and meet other eligibility requirements.
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International students' rights during COVID-19
International students in Canada have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in various ways, and their rights and benefits have been affected as well. Here is some information regarding the rights of international students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada:
Travel and Study:
International students who were enrolled in Student Exchange Programs, including the Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program (CCSEP), had the option to return to their home countries and continue their studies online without any penalties. If a student chose to withdraw from the program, they would still receive a prorated amount of their scholarship. Travel restrictions during the pandemic also impacted the ability of international students to travel to Canada. Starting October 20, 2020, Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) with approved COVID-19 readiness plans could reopen to international students outside Canada. International students already in Canada could continue studying at any DLI, but if they left, they might not be able to return if their DLI didn't have an approved plan.
Work Opportunities:
International students in Canada usually have the right to work part-time on their campus of study, with a previous limit of 20 hours per week during term time. However, due to COVID-19, the government temporarily lifted this cap, allowing students to work up to 40 hours per week. This intervention aimed to address labour shortages and provide students with more earning opportunities. The change was effective until April 30, 2024, after which the 20-hour cap was reinstated to focus on students' academic priorities and protect them from potential fraud or financial concerns.
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB):
International students in Canada who met specific eligibility criteria could qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). To be eligible, students needed to reside in Canada, have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN), and meet other requirements. The benefit was intended to support workers impacted by COVID-19, including those who lost their income due to the pandemic. Applications for CERB were accepted starting April 6, 2020, and the benefit was available for four-week periods from March 15, 2020, to October 3, 2020.
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International students' income sources during COVID-19
International students in Canada, who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, may be eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This benefit was available for a four-week period beginning on March 15, 2020, and ending on October 3, 2020. To be eligible, students must reside in Canada, have a valid Social Insurance Number, and meet other eligibility requirements. The CERB was introduced as part of the Government of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.
International students in Canada, who were unable to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, faced financial difficulties in paying their rent and other living expenses. Many relied on paid work to cover their living costs, and around six in ten students lost their jobs during the pandemic. This led to a loss of income and an increase in financial hardships.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, international students in Canada had to adapt to the changing circumstances and explore alternative income sources. Here are some of the ways they could have supported themselves financially:
- Government Assistance: International students in Canada who met the eligibility criteria could apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB). These programs provided temporary income support to those who had lost their jobs or self-employment income due to the pandemic.
- Employment: Some international students may have been able to find employment in essential industries or remote work opportunities that allowed them to earn an income during the pandemic.
- Online Freelancing: With many in-person activities restricted, international students could have offered freelance services online, such as language tutoring, virtual assistance, or digital marketing.
- Scholarships and Financial Aid: International students could have explored scholarships, grants, or financial aid offered by their host institutions or external organizations to help cover their educational and living expenses.
- Remote Teaching or Tutoring: International students with expertise in certain subjects could have provided remote teaching or tutoring services to students in their home countries or locally, leveraging online platforms to conduct lessons.
- Campus Jobs: Some international students may have been able to find part-time jobs within their university campuses, such as research or administrative positions, which could have provided a source of income during the pandemic.
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Frequently asked questions
International students who are currently in Canada and have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) may be eligible to receive the CERB if they meet the other eligibility criteria.
To be eligible for the CERB, you must have stopped working due to reasons related to COVID-19, be eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits, or have exhausted your EI regular or fishing benefits between December 29, 2019, and October 3, 2020. You must have earned a minimum of $5,000 through employment and/or self-employment in 2019 or the 12 months preceding your application. Additionally, you must not have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income during the four-week benefit period of your claim.
International students who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the CERB through the Government of Canada portal. Payments are typically received within 3-5 days of applying through direct deposit or within 10 days by mail.
