Lana Oconnell
International students in Canada can apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), a government scheme to support citizens and taxpayers during the COVID-19 outbreak. The CERB provides temporary income support for those whose livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic, offering CA$500 a week for up to 16 weeks. To be eligible, applicants must be at least 15 years old, reside in Canada, have earned an income of at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months prior to their application, and have stopped working due to COVID-19 or be eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits. Applications can be made online, by phone, or via a bank, with payouts taking between three to ten days to process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for CERB? | International students in Canada with a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) |
| Who might also be eligible? | International students in Canada without SIN who meet other requirements |
| What are the other requirements? | Residing in Canada, 15 years or older, stopped working due to COVID-19, earned at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months prior to the application, and did not voluntarily quit their jobs |
| How much will successful applicants receive? | CA$500 a week for up to 16 weeks |
| How to apply? | Online, through a phone call or via bank |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility criteria
International students in Canada are among the many groups covered by the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), a government scheme to support citizens and taxpayers during the COVID-19 outbreak.
To be eligible for CERB, international students must meet the following criteria:
- Residing in Canada
- At least 15 years old
- Have stopped working due to reasons related to COVID-19, or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits, or have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits between December 29, 2019, and October 3, 2020
- Earned an income of at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months prior to the date of their application
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). International students without a SIN may still be eligible if they meet all other requirements
CERB will pay successful applicants CA$500 a week for up to 16 weeks.
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Application process
International students in Canada are among the many groups covered by the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), a government scheme to support citizens and taxpayers during the COVID-19 outbreak.
To apply for CERB, you must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
- Be 15 years of age or older at the time of application.
- Have stopped or will stop working for reasons related to COVID-19, or because you are unable to work due to illness, or because you lost your employment for other reasons related to COVID-19.
- Have earned an income of at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of application.
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). International students in Canada without a SIN may still be eligible if they meet all other requirements.
You can apply for CERB online, through a phone call or via your bank. Be prepared to wait anywhere between three to 10 days for your payout. The CERB will provide successful applicants with CA$500 a week for up to 16 weeks.
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Payout time
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) provides temporary income support for Canadian taxpayers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The benefit amount is CA$500 per week for up to 16 weeks, which is equivalent to CA$2,000 per month. The payout is taxable, although tax will not be deducted at the source. Applicants will be expected to report the benefit as income when filing their income tax for the applicable tax year.
International students in Canada are among the groups covered by the CERB scheme. To qualify, they must meet the following requirements:
- Residing in Canada and at least 15 years old
- Have earned an income of at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months preceding their application
- Currently without employment or self-employment income due to COVID-19, or expecting to be without income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). Those without a SIN may still be eligible if they meet all other requirements.
Applications for CERB can be submitted online, via phone, or through a bank. The payout time for successful applicants can vary, with some receiving their payments within three to ten days of applying.
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Temporary residency
International students in Canada are among the groups covered by the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), a government scheme that provides temporary income support to those whose livelihoods have been affected by COVID-19. To qualify for CERB, international students must meet the following requirements:
- Reside in Canada and be at least 15 years old
- Have lost their job or be unable to work due to COVID-19
- Have earned an income of at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months prior to their application
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). Those without a SIN may still be eligible if they meet all other requirements
International students can apply for CERB online, through a phone call, or via their bank. Successful applicants will receive CA$500 per week for up to 16 weeks.
After completing their studies, international students in Canada often seek to obtain permanent residency. While there are various pathways available, the majority of international student graduates are eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit, which allows them to gain valuable work experience. Each of Canada's provinces and territories operates its own immigration programs, such as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Additionally, the province of Quebec has its own unique immigration system, including the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) and Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program, which offer streams specifically designed for international students.
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COVID-19 impact
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was a temporary income support measure implemented by the Canadian government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While it was a vital support system for many, international students, unfortunately, did not qualify for this benefit. This exclusion had a significant impact on international students in Canada, affecting their financial stability, mental health, and overall well-being.
When the pandemic struck, international students in Canada faced unique challenges. Many worked part-time to support themselves and pay for their tuition and living expenses. However, as non-essential businesses closed and layoffs occurred, international students found themselves without a source of income. They were not eligible for CERB, which provided a safety net for many Canadian citizens and permanent residents. This exclusion left a vulnerable group without financial assistance, forcing them to navigate the pandemic without the same level of support as their peers.
The financial instability caused by the lack of access to CERB had far-reaching consequences for international students. Some struggled to pay for basic necessities, such as rent and groceries, while others had to dip into their savings or take on additional debt to get by. This created a great deal of stress and anxiety, affecting the mental health and well-being of these students. Many international students also faced challenges in accessing support services, as they may have felt excluded from the broader community response to the pandemic.
In addition to the immediate financial concerns, the inability to access CERB had potential long-term implications for international students. For those aiming to obtain permanent residency in Canada, demonstrating financial stability is often a crucial factor. Not being able to access the same emergency support as their Canadian peers put international students at a disadvantage in this regard. This could have impacted their future immigration prospects, creating additional stress and uncertainty during an already challenging time.
While the CERB program has since ended, the lessons learned from its impact on international students are important. The pandemic highlighted the need for inclusive emergency response measures that take into account the unique circumstances of vulnerable groups, including international students. It underscored the importance of ensuring that all individuals within a country, regardless of citizenship status, have access to the support they need during a crisis. This includes not only financial assistance but also access to healthcare, mental health services, and other essential support systems.
Moving forward, it is crucial that the experiences and challenges faced by international students during the pandemic are not forgotten. As we continue to navigate the aftermath of COVID-19 and prepare for potential future crises, the inclusion of international students in emergency response planning is essential. This may involve advocating for their inclusion in government support programs, as well as the development of targeted initiatives and services within educational institutions to better support this vulnerable population.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in Canada are among the many groups covered by the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). Temporary residents must reside in Canada and have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). International students without a SIN may still be eligible if they meet all other requirements.
Applicants must be 15 years of age or older, have stopped working for reasons related to COVID-19, and have earned an income of at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months prior to their application.
CERB will pay successful applicants CA$500 a week for up to 16 weeks.
You can apply for CERB online, through a phone call, or via your bank.
