Hi,
Need an opinion from our senior members and experts (if there are any precedents or someone went through my similar situation, please do share their experiences).
I am studying in the first semester of my last program (Jan- Aug 2020, 1 year PG program) and after that, I was planning to apply for my PGWP (studied 1+1, hopefully, 3 years of PGWP).
Since I am in my final year (GIC over, no other income other than some savings), my living expenses were mainly coming from my part-time employment at a local retail store. Due to the Coronavirus situation, the stores are closed for two weeks and part-time workers are laid off temporarily till our store reopens. My employer has asked me to apply for Employment Insurance benefits and gave me documents, employment records and proofs for that.
I am worried that If I apply for EI, is there any way that it can affect my future in Canada (PGWP or PR refusal). I can sustain a few weeks without part-time income, but since no one knows (2 weeks minimum as of now) how long the stores will be shut down or generally how long the employment situation (hiring, economic climate) is going to be affected.
This is a thread discussing (3 years old) discussing about claiming EI during studying.
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/employment-insurance-benefit-for-international-students-in-canada.468104/#post-5692761
I have the same fear/thought process discussed in this post:
"Also not sure how someone who is a full time student working part time to supplement living expenses should be able to qualify given the sole purpose of being in Canada is to study not work else after the qualifying period how come others have not shared any tips on same subject ?
How would a student prioritize between study and meeting the obligations for insurance such as demonstrating looking for work would there not eventually be a conflict.
From an ethical viewpoint, a student who has paid little or nothing into the system claiming benefits does not sound a valid proposition but I guess if the system allows it."
Adding to the above point is that what's the point in paying Employment Insurance (deducted from every payslip) if that person can't claim it or afraid to claim because of a possibility that it can jeopardize their future(getting PGWP or PR).
Since receiving employment benefits doesn't come under this sections, "You aren’t eligible for a PGWP if you" section- (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html), I think it's okay to apply for EI but another part of me says don't do anything stupid to put future in danger.
Seniors and experts, please share your valuable thoughts (is there anyone already claimed EI and successfully got their PGWP and PR or someone having experience in those lines of situations) as I imagine a lot of students are in this situation or are going to be in this situation soon.
Need an opinion from our senior members and experts (if there are any precedents or someone went through my similar situation, please do share their experiences).
I am studying in the first semester of my last program (Jan- Aug 2020, 1 year PG program) and after that, I was planning to apply for my PGWP (studied 1+1, hopefully, 3 years of PGWP).
Since I am in my final year (GIC over, no other income other than some savings), my living expenses were mainly coming from my part-time employment at a local retail store. Due to the Coronavirus situation, the stores are closed for two weeks and part-time workers are laid off temporarily till our store reopens. My employer has asked me to apply for Employment Insurance benefits and gave me documents, employment records and proofs for that.
I am worried that If I apply for EI, is there any way that it can affect my future in Canada (PGWP or PR refusal). I can sustain a few weeks without part-time income, but since no one knows (2 weeks minimum as of now) how long the stores will be shut down or generally how long the employment situation (hiring, economic climate) is going to be affected.
This is a thread discussing (3 years old) discussing about claiming EI during studying.
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/employment-insurance-benefit-for-international-students-in-canada.468104/#post-5692761
I have the same fear/thought process discussed in this post:
"Also not sure how someone who is a full time student working part time to supplement living expenses should be able to qualify given the sole purpose of being in Canada is to study not work else after the qualifying period how come others have not shared any tips on same subject ?
How would a student prioritize between study and meeting the obligations for insurance such as demonstrating looking for work would there not eventually be a conflict.
From an ethical viewpoint, a student who has paid little or nothing into the system claiming benefits does not sound a valid proposition but I guess if the system allows it."
Adding to the above point is that what's the point in paying Employment Insurance (deducted from every payslip) if that person can't claim it or afraid to claim because of a possibility that it can jeopardize their future(getting PGWP or PR).
Since receiving employment benefits doesn't come under this sections, "You aren’t eligible for a PGWP if you" section- (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html), I think it's okay to apply for EI but another part of me says don't do anything stupid to put future in danger.
Seniors and experts, please share your valuable thoughts (is there anyone already claimed EI and successfully got their PGWP and PR or someone having experience in those lines of situations) as I imagine a lot of students are in this situation or are going to be in this situation soon.
