International Students: Cerb Eligibility And Application Process

International students in Canada were previously not allowed to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government announced a two-month extension of the CERB, making it available to international students. To be eligible, students must meet specific criteria, including having a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) and earning a minimum income of CA$5,000 in the 12 months before their application. This support is crucial for international students who lost part-time jobs or faced financial challenges due to the pandemic.

International students in Canada without a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

International students in Canada are eligible to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). A SIN is a nine-digit number that acts as a gateway to numerous benefits, including legal employment, access to government programs and benefits, and eligibility for Canadian tax credits. It is required for most jobs in Canada, as well as for certain government benefits and services. International students can work up to 20 hours per week while studying, which helps them cover their living expenses and gain valuable work experience.

To apply for a SIN, international students must meet specific conditions. They must have been authorised to work in Canada by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and have either a valid study permit or a valid work permit. The application process involves assembling the necessary documents to prove identity and eligibility, such as a birth certificate, and applying online, by phone, via a bank, or in person at a Service Canada Centre or by mail. Students can also contact their school's international student office for assistance.

It is important to note that a valid SIN alone does not automatically grant the right to work on or off-campus. Students must still meet the eligibility requirements to work legally in Canada. Additionally, certain jobs may have specific permit requirements that must be met.

In the context of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), a government scheme to support citizens and taxpayers during the COVID-19 outbreak, international students in Canada without a SIN may still be eligible if they meet all other requirements. For example, they must have earned an income of at least CA$5,000 in the 12 months prior to their application and be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period.

International students who have earned at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months prior

International students in Canada who have earned at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months prior to the date of their application are eligible to apply for the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This scheme was set up to support citizens and taxpayers during the COVID-19 outbreak. International students who meet the eligibility requirements should begin to receive their CERB payments by direct deposit within three to five days of applying and by mail within ten days of applying.

To apply for CERB, applicants must be 15 years of age or older at the time of application and have stopped working or will stop working for reasons related to COVID-19. They must also have earned an income of at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months before the date of their application. This means that international students in Canada who worked part-time jobs for the past five months should have earned enough to meet this requirement. Applicants must also be expecting to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period. For subsequent benefit periods, they must expect to have no employment or self-employment income.

International students in Canada without a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) may still be eligible if they meet all other requirements. However, it is important to note that those who are working, even if it is just 5 hours per week, are not eligible for CERB.

International students who have lost part-time jobs due to the pandemic

International students in Canada who lost their part-time jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic were eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). CERB was a government scheme that provided temporary income support to citizens and taxpayers affected by the pandemic. The benefit provided successful applicants with CA$500 a week for up to 16 weeks.

To be eligible for CERB, applicants had to be 15 years or older and had to have stopped working due to reasons related to COVID-19. They also had to have earned a minimum income of CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months before their application. International students with a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) could apply for CERB. Those without a SIN could still be eligible if they met all other requirements.

However, it is important to note that some international students faced challenges in meeting the eligibility criteria. For example, students who had not worked before or had earned more than the specified income amount in the 12 months prior to their application would not qualify for CERB. Additionally, students who were still working, even if their hours were reduced, may not have been eligible for the benefit.

The CERB extension, announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, aimed to provide support to international students and Canadians for up to 24 weeks as the country navigated the easing of COVID-19 lockdowns.

International students who are over 15 years old

International students in Canada who are over 15 years old may be eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). CERB was a government scheme to support citizens and taxpayers during the COVID-19 outbreak. It was designed to provide temporary income support for those whose livelihoods had been affected by the pandemic.

To be eligible for CERB, international students must meet the following criteria:

• Be 15 years of age or older at the time of application
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). International students without a SIN may still be eligible if they meet all other requirements
• Have earned an income of at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application
• Be currently or expecting to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period
• Have stopped or will stop working for reasons related to COVID-19, or because they are unable to work due to illness, or because they lost their employment for other reasons

It is important to note that the CERB scheme has now ended, and applications are no longer being accepted. However, international students in Canada who are over 15 and meet the eligibility criteria may now be able to apply for the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB).

International students who have stopped working due to COVID-19

International students in Canada who have stopped working due to COVID-19 may be eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This government scheme was designed to support citizens and taxpayers during the COVID-19 outbreak. CERB provides temporary income support for those whose livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic.

To be eligible for CERB, applicants must meet the following criteria: they must be 15 years of age or older, have stopped working due to COVID-19, have earned at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months prior to their application, and must not have voluntarily quit their jobs. They must also have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN), although students without a SIN may still be eligible if they meet all other requirements.

International students can apply for CERB online, by phone, or via their bank. The benefit provides CA$500 a week for up to 16 weeks, or a taxable income of CA$2,000 per month. Applicants should be prepared to wait between three and ten days for their first payout and must reapply every four weeks to confirm they still meet the eligibility requirements.

It is important to note that students who are still working, even on reduced hours, may not be eligible for CERB.

Frequently asked questions