Foreign workers and EI

The Employment Insurance program, under the umbrella of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), is a worker’s insurance designed to protect workers who have lost their job for reasons outside their control, while they look for new employment or upgrade their skills.

Are foreign workers obligated to pay EI

All workers employed in insurable employment are required to pay EI premiums including foreign workers. The fact that a worker can or cannot qualify for EI benefits is not a criterion to determine whether EI premiums are payable.

The fundamental requirement for an employment to be insurable is that there is an employer-employee relationship; i.e. the person is not self-employed. Thus, EI premiums must be deducted from the foreign worker’s remunerations by the Canadian employers, unless a rare exemption can apply.

Are foreign workers eligible to EI

Foreign workers on a Canadian work permit, as with any other worker, can receive regular benefits, provided they meet eligibility and entitlement conditions, while in Canada.

They may also be entitled to receive EI maternity, parental, compassionate care or family caregiver benefits after they leave Canada, as long as their social insurance number has not expired. These types of benefits can be paid outside of Canada, as there is no requirement to show availability for work.

Foreign workers may also be eligible to sickness benefits, but only while in Canada. In order to receive benefits, the foreign worker must show that, were it not for their illness, they would be available to work while in Canada.

Foreign workers whose work permit has expired and have applied to extend the work permit before it expired (implied status or maintained status), may receive benefits pending receipt of the new work permit.

The following official?guide ?could help you further understand eligibility requirements for foreign workers seeking EI in Canada.

The content of this article is for information purpose only, and should not be interpreted as a legal opinion. We can refer you to a legal professional if you need specific advice.