Canada’s Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was created to support those without an income as a result of COVID-19. The CERB provides a temporary income of $500 a week for up to 16 weeks for those who have stopped working as a result of COVID-19.
It has been confirmed that this benefit is available to some international students and foreign workers if they meet certain requirements.
Who is eligible for CERB?
To be eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, you must reside in Canada and have a valid Social Insurance Number. 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 other eligibility requirements.
The benefit will be available to workers:
Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
Who have stopped working because of COVID-19 and have not voluntarily quit their job or are eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits;
Who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and
Who are or expect 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 expect to have no employment or self-employment income.
The full eligibility requirements state that applicants must:
Reside in Canada
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 they are unable to work due to illness, or because they lost your employment for other reasons beyond their control; and • If you are submitting for the first time, that you have stopped or will stop working for reasons related to COVID-19 for at least 14 consecutive days within the 4 week benefit period • If you are filing for a subsequent period and did not return to work since your previous claim, you did not receive any employment or self-employment income since collecting the benefit and do not expect to receive any employment or self-employment income within the 4 week benefit period • If you are filing for a subsequent period after having returned to work between periods, that you have stopped or will stop working for reasons related to COVID-19 for at least 14 consecutive days within the 4 week benefit period
Have not quit their job voluntarily
Not receive, nor have applied for the CERB from the Canada Revenue Agency
Not receive Employment Insurance benefits for the same benefit period
Have earned a minimum of $5,000 in income within the last 12 months or in the 2019 calendar year from either: • Employment income • Self-employment income
How to Apply for CERB as an International Student or Foreign Worker
Applicants can submit their application online using the Canada Revenue Agency’s application form.
For more information, you may find these pages helpful:
CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency)
Our Services
Calver and Associates is a leading provider of Canadian Immigration services in Durham Region. We serve clients in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and beyond. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law and over four years of experience serving those in the Oshawa area.
We can provide assistance with applications for both temporary and permanent residency in Canada. We handle applications for study permits, permanent residency, family class sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and Canadian citizenship. We also handle criminal inadmissibility cases by developing remedies for refusal.
